A small Big thing, called DIPLOMEO

Today is a special day. It's bright & sunny in Paris. Although it was drizzling in the morning but sun finally blessed us. Today is also the beginning of Autumn. Yes, Sep 21st it is.

But for me, it has a little more importance than just the commencement of Autumn. Today I completed 100 days in my new job in France. I still remember when I was in school and was interviewed by a company. Although there were many interviews and I really don't remember the exact date but it was the beginning of Spring. What I remember is that I had applied on linkedin for a job. The role was of a Key Account Manager in Paris for international market. The CEO gave me a call and asked if I would be interested in something bigger. He offered me a to discuss the opportunity of working for an international market being based in Paris. When I enquired further, I realised it was about India, a country where I hail from and love to the core. Instantly, I said Yes!

Next day, we had a hangout conversation and not skype because the CEO mentioned, we only use mac and it's easy if we use hangout or facetime. Well, we discussed on hangout for almost 25 minutes and after he presented the company, role and the opportunity to me, I presented my views on the market and my capabilities. He asked me to come to Paris and spend a day with the company. I was excited but I was a student and that too in Marseille, almost 750 KMs away from Paris. Moreover I could not afford to miss the school as well hence CEO offered me to choose a date and suggest it to him. On a day when there were not many engagements in the school, I messaged him and he sent me two TGV tickets for a journey to & fro. Honestly, I was more excited to take a ride in TGV and visit Paris than the interview itself. I was so excited that I did not sleep the night before. I watched Game of Thrones until 4:30 am and red bull kept me awake. After getting ready, I left my place at 5:30 am and reached the railway station, 'Gare de Marseille' by 6:15 am. There were still 45 mins to wait for the train hence I took a stroll and had my breakfast at an Algerian boulangerie near by. I took the train at 7 and was in Paris by 10:30 am. At 11 am sharp I was at the office.

I was welcomed and introduced to some people. Little did I know at that point of time about these people who would become my colleagues and great friends. Then began the interview rather a much polite discussion which lasted till 4:30 pm. It was of course paused for a lunch where the CEO ordered a vegan meal knowing I am one.

To be honest, I did not get much time to explore Paris on that day since much of my time was either consumed in commute or the discussion. But honestly, I did not care either. I was walking in Paris, in heart of the city. Arguably, the most beautiful city in the world. I was looking at beautiful architecture of the city, serenity of river Seine and people who were either kissing or playing violin or too busy to care. Within no time, I was back to Marseille, thanks to the return ticket as well from the CEO.

A week later, I flew to India. Since I had already finished my classes, I had already grabbed 2 secure internships in Paris and Bangkok, hence to be honest I was not in a bad situation yet I was hoping, life would be much better if I get to work for this company for two reasons. One, if a CEO can offer you two TGV tickets and free vegan food for an interview, with no doubt this company is the best place to work for. Hence I always knew that employee satisfaction which is a major concern for people worldwide is not for me. Secondly, I would be working for India. India, is my home but also the place of my dreams. I had already started my affair with Paris but once you're done, where do you go back? You go back home! That's why these two reasons were strong enough to leave me with a hope of good days.

I landed in India, went to my home. I met my parents, siblings, friends and my girl friend. I travelled extensively, ate all sorts of food, did whatever I could. After all I was back home.

Until now, It must have seemed to you like a travelogue or a monologue or probably even a blog but believe me, the better part is starting in a few.

I got an offer from the company, got a call from CEO, booked my flight and landed back in Paris. I joined on June 10th, 2016. I was prepared for a hell of a journey. We worked alot. We started from scratch. We build the website, social media pages, content and launched it. By the way, when I say "WE", I don't only mean I and the CEO but every person around. From the coders to testers (one such genius can be seen below)

From journalists to adword specialists, every fuckin person in the compound was on it. It took us around 2 months but we made something great. So great, that schools which were created in 19th century, when have a look at our work, call it brilliance and impressive. To verify the fact, you may directly call the schools :P

But I am still not at it. This is not what I wanted to tell you. I want to tell you that I was new. I was alone. I was afraid. I was precisely 7,800 KMs away from my parents, apparently 7,200 KMs away from my friends and my love. But the CEO took care of me. The people who he hired, took care of me. From the day I joined to the day it is, I was never alone.

I realised it after joining this company, that there is no place or day to drink, you can, anywhere and anytime. There is no time to eat or talk, you can, anywhere or anytime. There is nothing impossible, you can do anything, anywhere or anytime.

In India, Fridays meant days of fun. That's why in India we call it TGIF (Thank God, It's Friday). In France, I realised there is nothing like that in this world or atleast in this part of the world. You can, anywhere and any fu**in time.

We drink on a monday night like crazy, watch a football game on a tuesday night like kids, eat on a wednesday night in a grand place and sometimes do even more wonderful things on thursday nights. Fridays are just like fridays in any other country in the world.

I got a James Bond Bollinger on my birthday. Who does that?

I watched a Ligue 1 game in Paris for PSG live in stadium, Courtesy the CEO. Who does that?

I dined at Palais Royale, Courtesy the CEO. Who does that?

I watched entire Euro Cup and shouted for France in one of the most dashing places in Paris, Courtesy the CEO. Who does that?

I ate my favourite food on my birthday this year, Indian cuisine, Courtesy the CEO. Who does that?

I meet the top Business schools in France, almost every day, Courtsey the CEO who hired me. Who does that?

I do a lot of amazing things, Courtsey the CEO. He does that!

I have completed a century of days in Paris. I feel like Sachin Tendulkar (Greatest cricketer ever). But Sachin gives credit to his coaches, I give it to my CEO.

To be honest, I really do not know who is the CEO of my company. Because this company which was started in 2011 by two smart people in order to solve one of the biggest problem in world today; higher education, is one of the finest and biggest in Europe today.

I may have eaten up a lot of your time by writing so long but believe me 100 days is not a short time and I usually speak more than this.

To conclude, I would like to mention special thanks to you my reader for giving me special part of time from your life. Then to those people who always supported me. Then to those who never left me. Then to those who joined me. Then to those who promise to keep inspiring me and be with me forever. And in the end to those, who believe anything and everything is possible through love and care.

Such two people are Antoine Glikman & Charles Bret. I don't make long term plans, I make dreams but today, I am what I am because of you two. People come and go, companies choose and reject, things exist and perish but respect is forever. You earn mine.

I learnt one thing here, a happy employee is a happy client. A happy client is a happy business. A happy business is a happy society and a happy society is a happy world.

My name is Prayag Raj Tripathi, I work for DIPLOMEO. My CEO is Antoine Bret.

Merci Thankyou ???????? ???????

Note:

• All images are clicked by me during the journey of these 100 days except the pic of Sachin Tendulkar & the Wonder Men (CS: Google)
• All incidents are true and any resemblance to past is highly possible.