This file contains a description of a current Citi employee and description of the employee experience through a set of questions and answers. For the past seven years, I have been working with people from different cultures, in different places and always trying new things. I spent five years in the telecom industry before moving to the banking arena after an MBA. I followed a path where I can capitalise on my extensive analytical background and at the same time have continuous contact with people around me. I always seek positions where things are done for the first time. I do not mind working hard as long as I enjoy what I am doing and I see growth potential.

 

 

 

]]> Diversity at Citi is not only in terms of the number of people employed, it goes beyond that and is manifested in the experiences of each individual. It is amazing how rich each persons experience has been with Citi. Many colleagues have been with Citi in as many areas around the world as the years they have spent with the company. There is such a wealth of knowledge inside the organisation about any area in this world, whether a small community in the remotest of areas or a major multinational operating in several countries. 

 

 

]]> The novelty factor is what attracts me most to this business line. Given that GTS is a fast growing area, it retains the characteristics of a newly developed business. New opportunities are uncovered every day and the team is expected to react fast to the changing environment. The feeling that I can contribute everyday to shaping the business is fantastic. My daily interaction wiith the leaders in teh Financial Markets enables me to spot opportunities as they arise.

 

]]> From my previous job the greatest asset was learning how to be flexible and how to work in a fast changing environment whilst being part of a large organisation. Usually, big and fast are not used together in organisations. During my MBA at INSEAD my best learning experience was how to bring the big picture together. It was very interesting for me to learn how different teams add to the pie. Above all I learned how to bring teams together efficiently and how to get the best out of every team member.

 

]]> After my MBA, I joined the Associate programme. The Programme aims to expose me to different areas in the bank related to GTS. Working in a growing business offers me the possibility to spend time in areas that would add value to my role in GTS. I started with the client coverage team working with financial institutions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. My role has been to support the head of a sales team in a wide range of projects ranging from helping with the day-to-day management of the business to identifying and researching new business opportunities to satisfy the aggressive target growth rates for GTS. My second assignment was to spend four months with the Global Credit Centre to get credit exposure. My third project was to spend four months in Germany on new opportunities and strategies for the German market. The experience provided me with the perspective of the teams around Europe and the way they interact with London.

 

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Name: Ralph Achkar

Title: Associate

Education: M.S. Engineering. MBA INSEAD

Program: Global Transaction Services

Level: associate

Region: Western Europe

If asked about your career at a dinner party, how would you describe it?

For the past seven years, I have been working with people from different cultures, in different places and always trying new things. I spent five years in the telecom industry before moving to the banking arena after an MBA. I followed a path where I can capitalise on my extensive analytical background and at the same time have continuous contact with people around me. I always seek positions where things are done for the first time. I do not mind working hard as long as I enjoy what I am doing and I see growth potential.

 

 

 

How would you describe your team and the people you work with?

Diversity at Citi is not only in terms of the number of people employed, it goes beyond that and is manifested in the experiences of each individual. It is amazing how rich each persons experience has been with Citi. Many colleagues have been with Citi in as many areas around the world as the years they have spent with the company. There is such a wealth of knowledge inside the organisation about any area in this world, whether a small community in the remotest of areas or a major multinational operating in several countries. 

 

 

What about your career excites you the most - gets you out of bed in the morning?

The novelty factor is what attracts me most to this business line. Given that GTS is a fast growing area, it retains the characteristics of a newly developed business. New opportunities are uncovered every day and the team is expected to react fast to the changing environment. The feeling that I can contribute everyday to shaping the business is fantastic. My daily interaction wiith the leaders in teh Financial Markets enables me to spot opportunities as they arise.

 

How do you apply your degree to what you're doing now?

From my previous job the greatest asset was learning how to be flexible and how to work in a fast changing environment whilst being part of a large organisation. Usually, big and fast are not used together in organisations. During my MBA at INSEAD my best learning experience was how to bring the big picture together. It was very interesting for me to learn how different teams add to the pie. Above all I learned how to bring teams together efficiently and how to get the best out of every team member.

 

Describe your experience in your specific training program.

After my MBA, I joined the Associate programme. The Programme aims to expose me to different areas in the bank related to GTS. Working in a growing business offers me the possibility to spend time in areas that would add value to my role in GTS. I started with the client coverage team working with financial institutions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. My role has been to support the head of a sales team in a wide range of projects ranging from helping with the day-to-day management of the business to identifying and researching new business opportunities to satisfy the aggressive target growth rates for GTS. My second assignment was to spend four months with the Global Credit Centre to get credit exposure. My third project was to spend four months in Germany on new opportunities and strategies for the German market. The experience provided me with the perspective of the teams around Europe and the way they interact with London.

 

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