In order to share his passion, this Kedger has become an Oika Oika consultant

• To begin, tell us about your educational background. What did you study, both before and at KEDGE?

After my Bac S, I got a sustainable management associate degree at Paris XII, then I did a one-year Erasmus exchange in Finland. After that, I went to ESC Bordeaux in Talence. I was part of its first AMP class (Anglo-Saxon teaching pathways). I completed my coursework with an exchange in China (Macau) for a semester. I have some exceptional memories, in particular with the different associations I was part of: the student board, Art’Scene Lutin, and the Melting Pote (in charge of foreign students). If I had to name one particularly special moment, it was a theatrical performance in a full amphitheatre. 

 

• Tell us about your course once your studies were finished. What positions have you held? What did you learn in those positions?

I did a six-month end-of-studies internship with Mediakeys (airport advertising services), and then another internship as an assistant product manager with Hewlett-Packard. I worked as a product manager for two Japanese manufacturers: Brother (3 years) and Sharp (5 years). More recently, I was Business Development Manager at Scansource, an American distributor. 

• What are you working on today and what is your current situation? How did you get the idea and desire to do what you are doing today?

I’ve been passionate about board games ever since I was a kid. My collection grew at every birthday or Christmas. I had La bonne paye, Scotland Yard, La course à l'héritage, Around the World in 80 Days, Richesses du monde… . My favourite was Risk. One day in 2013, I happened to buy "7 Wonders" because it was the most award-winning game in the world. I enjoyed this game so much that my family and I ended up playing five or six times a week together. Afterwards, I played many other games in gaming cafes for young Parisians, and discovered there are a lot of different types of games: cards, strategy, abstract, atmosphere, dice, tiles, deck-building, placement of workers, etc. What I liked doing was to have my relatives try out my favourite games. It’s such a pleasure to spend a good time with family or friends around a game: the smiles, the laughs, the furrowed brows of intense concentration, and the sparkling eyes.

A few weeks ago, I saw a Facebook advert for consultant for Oika Oika which involves introducing little-known games to the general public at their own homes. It’s exactly what I already do with my loved ones! Thanks to Oika Oika, I can now share my passion with more people.

 

Here are some games from the Oika Oika catalogue that I suggest you discover during an Oik'animation. Which one tempts you the most? #oikaoika #j2s #familygames #voscoupsdecoeur #jds #j2s#boardgame #jeuxdesociete#tabletopgame #game #boardgamers #boardgamer #loisir #loisirs #jeu #jouer #jeux #ensemble #convivial #famille #bgg #bggcommunity; Post shared by shared by Rémi Oika Oika 94 (@remioikaoika) on 29 August 2019 at 7:23 PDT

• What are your development goals for the future?

My goal is to fully devote myself as an Oika Oika’s consultant. By that, I mean organising many “Oik'animations” in order to promote games. But I also intend to go further. I want to take advantage of my experience as a product manager and business developer to find more customers, such as by approaching the works councils of companies. More and more companies are building games libraries and, around here, I’ve seen lots of people play games with their colleagues during their lunch breaks. It’s a great way to create a positive dynamic among employees. I will also be canvassing schools. I can offer them giant games to play at school fairs, or educational games, such as the Montessori ones that involve the sense of touch.

After that, I’d like to lead a team of consultants to share my knowledge and help them grow in turn.

Later on, I’d like to develop my own game prototypes. To see players playing my games would be the culmination of a dream of mine.

• How did your education at KEDGE Business School help you become whom you are today, and which of its courses helped you develop your project?

The entrepreneurial spirit was very much present while I was at KEDGE. For example, I learned very early on how to find funds for the budget of our student council. To know how to present yourself to a stranger and describe your project helped me a lot later in life, whether professionally or personally. The number of projects we had taught me know how to work as part of a team and know how to draw out the best of each member based on his or her interests and skills. I also developed the habit of creating a business plan so I could plan out my project step by step.

• If you had any advice for any KEDGE Alumnus or Alumna who would like to do something similar, what would it be?

Contractor Entrepreneurship PGE