Hello! My name is Betsy Borda Calisaya, and I can say that my training at the Geneva Hotel Management School was very enriching, both professionally and personally. I chose EHG because, initially, I wanted to become a chef. Pastry was the field that interested me the most, due to its precision and the creativity it requires.

During my training, several teachers recommended that I complete my second internship in a department other than operations. So, I did my internship at the InterContinental Geneva and Crowne Plaza for IHG as a sales intern. It was thanks to this internship that I discovered the marketing and sales field. I enjoyed it so much, due to all the tasks I was entrusted with, that I decided to complete my final internship in a field close to marketing, event management, at the Geneva Tourism Convention Bureau. Thanks to the flexibility between the months of training and internship periods offered by the Geneva Hotel Management School, I was able to develop my professional career while gaining skills in various areas.

Not at all. I thought I would become a pastry chef, and one of my wishes was to lead a brigade… In the end, I manage a team of four people. The luxury sector always seemed a bit too abstract and sometimes even too strict for me, but I am happy to have found a family-run business like Drake Store, where one of the core values is to make luxury more approachable, with a focus on the clients and their needs. Drake Store’s warm approach allows me to make it a real strength, both within the company and with our clients.

The internship I completed as a sales intern was the most revealing in terms of both my professional and personal growth. I discovered a great interest in sales and human interaction. I was lucky to be part of a very supportive and “team player” group. My colleagues took the time to show me as much as possible about all the areas of sales and their responsibilities. They were always very professional and excelled in their careers. I am very grateful for all the knowledge they shared with me and for the opportunity to have completed my internship at Crowne Plaza Geneva and InterContinental Geneva.

Thanks to EHG and the training offered by the Geneva Hotel Management School, I acquired excellent managerial skills. Completing several internships allowed me to observe and learn from different management styles. Every work environment offers a unique opportunity to see how managers lead and motivate their teams. For example, I saw managers adopt an authoritarian style, where decisions are made vertically, and instructions are clearly defined, while others favored a more participatory approach, encouraging team members to contribute to decisions and processes.

By working under different management styles, I learned the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. For instance, authoritarian management can sometimes create a rigid and discouraging environment, while a more participatory management style can foster creativity and engagement among team members.

Moreover, it helped me understand that each individual reacts differently to management, and it is important for a manager to adapt their leadership style to the needs and preferences of their team.

In the end, these diverse experiences gave me a strong foundation for developing my own management style. Drawing from the best practices I observed and avoiding the pitfalls I noticed, I developed a leadership approach that promotes collaboration, motivation, and professional development within my team at Drake Store.

I decided to pursue a Master’s in Digital Marketing because I wanted to expand my knowledge in the marketing field, although I gained good marketing skills at the Geneva Hotel Management School. I particularly wanted to learn more about KPIs and how to measure them in digital marketing, while also developing my professional knowledge in areas outside of hospitality and management.

As a certified Google Ads professional at Drake Store, I integrate my skills by developing specific advertising campaigns, carefully selecting relevant keywords, and creating engaging ads. I closely monitor the performance of these campaigns to adjust parameters and optimize results. Additionally, I ensure consistency and complementarity between our Google Ads campaigns and our other marketing initiatives, thus providing a smooth and efficient overall marketing experience for our clients.

I draw from a wide range of experiences to shape our strategies and achieve our goals. My previous internships were incredible stepping stones, thanks to the Geneva Hotel Management School. I learned alongside experienced colleagues, absorbing their knowledge like a sponge. This allowed me to grasp the best practices and most effective strategies in marketing and management, which is truly valuable in our ever-changing field.

Then there’s my background as a Swiss table tennis champion. I had the chance to practice this sport from age 7 to 16 and participate in several national-level competitions, coached by my father, who is now the president of the Silver Star CTT table tennis club. It may seem far from the marketing world, but in reality, it taught me a lot about leadership and management. On the field, I had to be strategic, know how to motivate my teammates, and manage the pressure of competitions. These skills translate perfectly into my current role. Leading and motivating teams at Drake Store to achieve our marketing goals is a bit like being the captain of a sports team.

I think the greatest lesson I received and still apply daily is the one taught by my parents. They have been an invaluable support and have shown me many times how resilience is key to success. When I decided to pursue a degree in hotel management instead of following a more “traditional” path like medicine or law, my parents were perplexed. Having skipped two grades during my education, they likely envisioned a more conventional academic path for me. However, despite their apprehensions, they chose to support me in this decision. They understood that hotel management school offered a unique opportunity to combine classroom learning with practical experience in the field. Their unconditional support gave me the confidence to follow my own path and explore my passions. And today, I am grateful for their understanding and encouragement. Their advice and example have guided me throughout my career, and they continue to influence how I approach professional challenges at Drake Store.

It is this combination of experiences that allows me to navigate the dynamic world of marketing and e-commerce. I bring both a strategic expertise, acquired through my studies and internships, and a practical perspective, forged on the ground and in competition. And it is this fusion that enables us to innovate, anticipate trends, and keep Drake Store ahead of the game.

The competition online is intense, which pushes us to stand out. We must also stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies to remain competitive. Maximizing our return on investment is a constant goal, requiring continuous monitoring and adjustments. Finally, customer loyalty is essential, so we strive to provide exceptional customer service to maintain engagement. In terms of management, some challenges include motivating and engaging team members, creating a collaborative and inclusive work environment, and ensuring clear and transparent communication, along with providing effective leadership to guide the team toward achieving goals. Additionally, managing the professional and personal development of team members can be challenging, as well as establishing and maintaining a positive and productive company culture. In short, management involves juggling various responsibilities and finding effective solutions to daily challenges while fostering team growth and success.

In the next five years, I see myself continuing my career at Drake Store as Marketing & E-commerce Director, while making a significant contribution to the company’s growth. Professionally, I aim to further develop my skills in leadership, marketing strategy, and e-commerce, while staying at the forefront of new trends and technologies in the industry.

On a personal level, I’d like to continue enriching myself culturally, perhaps by learning a new foreign language. I also want to maintain a balance between my professional life and spending time with family and friends. Above all, I hope to devote more time to my spiritual life and faith.

Based on what I’ve learned throughout my journey and experiences, it is often beneficial to face situations that scare us head-on. In fear, we always emerge stronger and with more knowledge. It is in these moments of challenge and uncertainty that we often have the opportunity to surpass ourselves and discover new resources within ourselves, both from a personal and professional perspective.