Digital Campus Montpellier had the pleasure of welcoming Boris Bergerot to host a conference on e-commerce. He gave us an interview to talk about his career and revisits the topic of the conference.
Tell us about your background!, In a few words, I would say that I am a globetrotter in real life and a web adventurer. I have had the privilege of working on the internet for more than 15 years., Originally I am a systems and networks engineer, but I quickly embraced the world of the web, social networks, management, training, and consulting in digital and e-business strategies. Project manager, trainer, partner, and then consultant — I have explored quite a few professional worlds while enjoying being self-taught., I now teach in higher education institutions (Bachelors, Masters, MBAs) in France, I offer consulting services for SMEs and large accounts, and I am also an entrepreneur. In short, I am a free agent who enjoys travelling between the worlds of education and professional practice.
Could you tell us about the topic of the conference you hosted at Digital Campus?, The topic proposed for this conference was: "Will connected commerce kill e-commerce?" The reflection fits into an era where people have never been more connected thanks to the internet, while at the same time craving human experiences. E-commerce — which many believed would kill traditional retail — has now become a genuine distribution channel for brands, but is heavily linked to (and even dependent on) physical points of sale., Ultimately, e-commerce, social networks, the in-store connected experience, the digitisation of points of sale, and smartphone usage are all topics that were addressed in this conference, with the aim of raising awareness among the audience about the profound digital transformations of our era impacting marketing and sales., How do you see the relevance of a school like Digital Campus within the local economic and digital landscape?, Montpellier has been one of the most attractive cities in France in recent years. We have the sunshine and the sea, of course, but we also have a remarkable digital ecosystem. Labelled FrenchTech, with strong support from the department and the region, Montpellier has built an ecosystem combining the start-up world (numerous incubators), support for young businesses (e.g. BIC), private investment, universities, and higher education schools. All the conditions are in place to stimulate innovation, competitiveness, international openness, and digital recruitment., The presence of Digital Campus in Montpellier is therefore excellent news for students, who from the next academic year will be able to follow a curriculum tailored to business expectations, in optimal conditions within a complex dedicated to innovative and digital pedagogy.
In your opinion, what kinds of profiles do companies need to recruit today, and why?, In my view, there is no single "typical" profile being sought. We are in an era where versatility is often the key word, alongside a few areas of expected expertise!, Roles such as Community Manager, Social Media Manager, Growth Hacker, UX Designer, and Digital Project Manager likely have a bright future ahead of them, as companies are aware of the digital stakes without systematically having the in-house skills. But a curious profile capable of conducting competitive intelligence, mastering social media strategies, and aware of the impact of e-commerce and new consumer behaviours will, I believe, have serious assets to begin a professional career. If they also work on their personal branding, master English, and have genuine professional experience (internship/work-study) before the end of their degree, then they will have done everything in their power to maximise their chances…, A final word…, I often struggle with the word "end". I prefer to think of it as the "beginning" of something new. And that is exactly the case here, since Digital Campus is opening its doors in a few weeks/months and the adventure promises to be exciting both for the members of the teaching team and for the students. Looking forward to the new academic year!