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The intern working on solutions

Steven Poh

Name: Steven Poh

Position: Business Intern with the Integrated Solutions Centre Team

 

“The work culture here is very open – I am not restricted and even encouraged to speak up. This sort of synergy was something I did not witness in my previous internships.”

 

I am Steven, an NUS Business Administration student, currently completing an internship here at Philips. I take on the role of a Business Analyst, and am involved in financial modelling and market research for countries such as Myanmar, Australia, Thailand, and Singapore.

My team is relatively small, consisting of seven people. We differ from the old business model where instead of just selling individual products, we work towards selling an entire solution to consumers. Our primary consumers are hospitals, and the solutions include the product, consultation and financial services. Much research and a thorough understanding of the clients' needs is necessary in creating these packages, and that is where my role lies.

 

A uniquely “Philips” internship experience

 

As an intern, it is incredible for me to be able to see the international discussions going on between different markets. You get a view of working life at Philips is, and the thought processes behind the decisions made. I have even seen how miscommunication can occur between teams from different countries due to language and cultural barriers, but it's always amazing that they can eventually align with each other across geographical borders.

 

A personal challenge at the start was getting used to the technical jargon, the project content, and even understanding the accents. It was tricky and slightly stressful especially when I was called on to participate. I had to listen closely and ask questions, and I think it has gotten much easier now than when I started in mid-January.

 

Collaboration between everyone

 

The work culture here is very open – I am not restricted and even encouraged to speak up, and I see how my colleagues in different departments often come around to each other's desks for discussions or just to chat. This sort of synergy was something I did not witness in my previous internships.

 

Openness to ideas

 

In terms of being open to solutions, if I feel there is something that can be improved upon or altered, my bosses here at Philips do not brush me off. I have brought up some suggestions about financial model templates, and the ideas have been taken into consideration and even implemented.

 

Conditions are flexible here, and the important thing is getting our job done and done well. It's inspiring to see how my boss shows concern for his employees, even encouraging one of my colleagues, who was sick, to work from home.

 

Here you are really pushed in the right direction, and I am glad I took on this great opportunity here at Philips to learn.

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