Virginie Duquesne Email & Phone Number

Dubai, Uae

Family business with a modern approach based on traditional know-how, manufacturing bespoke interior design features for hospitality, yachting, corporate, residential, retail... and operating departments such as engineering, R & D service, logistics, qualified teams of fabrication and installation.Ranges: with wood as key material, with wood combined with resin & also with materials such as optical fibers, alabaster, honeycomb, metallization etc...Analyze business trends to develop business growth strategyDefine negotiating strategies to align integration of new venture with company strategies &operationsDevelop/maintain productive business relationship with key decision makers across existing client and prospect organizationsMaintain updated knowledge of industry &market trends. Enhance business generation by developing campaigns, services &distribution channelsAssess market strategies, deal requirements, potential &financials. Resolve internal priorities; recommending equity investmentsDefine and implement sales &business strategiesParticipate in market studies &researchesConceptualize &implement sales promotional strategiesDevelop market segmentation/penetration strategiesCollate market intelligence on competition &other market trendsIdentify opportunities for campaigns, services &distribution channelsFocus on growth/retention of existing accounts by presenting new solutions & servicesProspect for new clients through networking, cold calling, advertising or other means of generating interestParticipate in negotiations &close deals with major corporate clientsIdentify new business opportunities &establish strategic partnerships &relationshipsMaximize customer satisfaction levels through prompt resolution of queries &grievances, and by providing qualitative service Maintain excellent relations with existing clients &prospecting organizationsSet up new quality standards for enhancing service quality &customer satisfaction

Dubai, Uae

NS's vision is to offer unique & innovative surfaces that combine traditional hand skills by artisans in emerging countries (Philippines) with European (Germany, Switzerland and Austria) design and technical know-how."Trade not aid": Nature Squared aim to bring sustainable growth to the emerging countries where they operate and have set sustainability priorities throughout their business.The products are sourced in Asia and Africa and are made of natural materials (mother of pearl, shell, eggshells, leaves, twigs, coconut, bamboo, termite nest…) in exclusive hand inlaid surfaces offering a world of endless applications (super yachts, hospitality, residential, furniture, decorative items...).Same responsibilities as for the previous position with Lamellux

Dubai, Uae

Render administrative assistance to 5 foreign C-Level Executives as well as to the CEO in managing day to day business operations within the regionSet up agenda of priorities for the CEO direct reports and assist in implementing various process improvement initiativesPrepare briefings for the CEO based on requirements of various meetings, presentations and other engagementsMaintain minutes of meetings/ other engagements to update meeting details of meetings between the CEO, direct reports, committees and groupsAssess the CEOs agenda across multiples time zones based on business as well as operational requirementsStreamline business and personal appointments of the CEO by arranging meetings accordingly. Set up agenda for meetings based on business prioritiesUpdate 5 outlook email accounts, dealing with correspondence, writing letters and daily posting of outgoing mailsManage foreign travel logistics for the management, prepare itineraries, and arrange vital visa documents. Compile and maintain travel recordsInvolved in end to end management of ad-hoc projects based on the CEOs directives Manage PR related issues in coordination with various external organizationsInvolved in screening CVs, organizing interviews with short-listed candidatesFollow up & report on outstanding action items, troubleshooting issues to the CEO based on requirementsOrganize training sessions for team members (assistants, secretaries & related support staff) based on identified training needs Translate documents from English to French and vice-versaPrepare/ present various status reports for the senior management and other stakeholders to enable effective decision makingAssess trends, prepare various informative reports by extracting data from various sourcesMaintain updated records of various documents from departments prior to sending the same to the CEO for approval. Collaborate with internal & external parties in preparing company policy handbook

Dubai, Uae

Remy Garnier products reflect the French art de vivre through the Ironmongery.The firm's activities are divided into two distinct lines. Remy Garnier brand includes either traditional or modern products, made of fine-cut bronze, that made the firm's reputation in know-how particularly with their chiseling skills.The brand Garnier Diffusion assembles other bronze or brass products, decorative locksmithing becomes affordable through molding.A restoration activity adds to these two lines, either for private individuals or for listed historical monuments. Same responsibilities as for the previous position with Lamellux

Dubai, Uae

Wrought iron craftsmen and creators of art since 1880, the Pouenat workshops combine excellence and rare expertise to offer upmarket services and creations. The art of metal and craftsmanship are teamed up with renowned designers who produce lighting objects and furniture.POUENAT is one of the few ‘artistic’ producers in the profession of iron craft. In 2009, the “Living Heritage Company” (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant, or EPV), awarded by the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Employment confirmed the excellence and rarity of POUENAT’s Knowledge.

Al Ain (Abu Dhabi), Uae

Operating in the UAEPromoting the courses (flying and non flying) for pilots to clients from GCC and MENA regionsDealing with corporate clients from the Armed Forces (e.g. Army, Police, Civil Defense, Para-Military…) and Civilian companies (e.g. airlines, private jets…)Increasing the awareness of pilot training for helicopter and airplane within the GCC and other countriesMarketing the pilot job and prospective to a younger public (high schools, universities…)Sourcing information on the markets and their projects to reinforce the position of the company on the marketDeveloping partnership with other FTOs (Flight Training Operators) from other countries to increase businessBuilding a strong database on clients and contactsAdvertising though different medias (newspapers, magazines…), purchasing of marketing materials ( and maintaining Public Relations for the CompanyParticipating as well as organizing events such as exhibitions, conferences, etc…Managing the facilities of the Academy (main buildings and Hangars) as well as the staff/ students accommodation (building leasing, placement of students, maintenance, cleaning, new construction…)Coordinating the stay of the students from beginning to end with the sponsors and the studentsProviding the sponsors with regular reports and information related to their student’s trainingSending proposal to clients for training according to their requirements

Dubai, Uae

Operating in the UAEDeveloping the business of this global company with the construction and commercial interior fields.Dealing with architects, designers, contractors, clients, institutions etc…Tracking information on the carpet tiles market as well as on the raised access flooring systems for cable managementSourcing information on the markets and their projects to reinforce the position of the company on the marketLiaising with colleagues from all over the world on projects worked in 2 different countriesBuilding a strong database on the clients, the projects, the contacts…Working closely with the distributors with regard to stock and projectsIncreasing the awareness of the market on sustainability and green issuesSharing the experience and achievements of InterfaceFLOR in sustainability mattersParticipating as well as organizing events such as exhibitions, conferences, etc…

Dubai, Uae

Represented the French Chamber of Commerce (CCI) on a diplomatic status to strengthen business/political relationships between France and the GCC countriesDeveloped business plans for French companies to increase their marketing and their sales according to their sector (food industry, furniture, clothing, industrial materials, decorative architectural materials, Limoges porcelain, etc...)Liaised with several key industries and organizations in the area: construction (architects, designers, and contractors), household, consumer goods, corporate companies, hotels, government institutions…Generated an understanding of the companies’ product ranges in order to develop the market awareness within the GCCDealt with multiple projects and prioritizing themNetworked and developed contacts to further increase market awarenessIncreased geographical business coverage within the GCC generating interest and salesEstablished and developed strong relations with contacts securing trust and profitable business for both partiesNegotiated with clients to grant the award of the projects to the companiesSuccessfully established and negotiated exclusive representation agreements with reputable local groups or organizations to ensure a strong and reliable development of the companies’ businessRepresented the CCI and French based organizations and businesses through trade exhibitions, conferences and various high profile events to further increase their exposure to the regional governmental institutions and other businessesCreated and implemented new commercial procedures specifically adapted to the areaAccompanied diplomats or VIPs to ensure smooth running of eventsEntertained French Delegates to increase their market awareness within the GCC and to build strong relations between the Gulf and FranceSet up international business visits of prospective French organizations to promote their products and business among selected contacts within GCC/ UAE

Abu Dhabi - Dubai - Sharjah, Uae

Recruiting, training and developing the staff to the company’s standards and rulesCoaching of the sales team to help them reach their professional ambitionsLeading the sales team to develop and ensure a very high customer service increasing salesManaging the sales team to assure a smooth running of business with the different events throughout the yearManaging of the stock level in coordination with the warehouses departmentsImplementing new procedures to get a better communication and understanding with other departmentsIncreasing the quality controls at all stages of the retail businessWorking with the Decoration department to enhance the new trends and products to improve the salesAchieving Home Design Service to customers of different background (expatriates, GCC nationals, VIPs)Participating in Build up, renovations and restructuring of the Dubai, Wafi and Sharjah storesInitial set up and preparation for the launch of the Doha (Qatar) store in July 2003Covering duty management to support the store manager within his responsibilityActing as Customer Service Manager during change of management team for several monthsActing as Store Manager for 2 outlets for over a yearRestructuring a store (staffing, procedures, day-to-day routines) to meet the company’s financial expectations

Doha, Qatar

Opening (preparation and launching) of Doha hypermarketRecruiting, training, valorization and motivation on the selling area of a team cosmopolite and new in this fieldEnsuring all the duties of a Section Manager in Europe (cf. experience with AUCHAN France)Creating and adapting permanently the ranges and the sections to the customers' needs according to the local competition, in order to be differentiated within an environment of various culturesManaging the flow of goods, promotional offers and competitive prices, permanent search for new items Negotiating with local and international suppliersPlanning, negotiating and managing the annual budgets and achieving the targetsOrganizing the day-to-day administrative management

Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France

Monitoring a team of 200 cashiers and supervising their activities (schedules, workload, managing absentees,…)Evaluating performance of cashiers and providing the HR manager with information on appraisalsGenerating and maintaining account related reports; managing bank deposit activities; providing assistance with year-end inventory preparationResolving employee conflicts and ensuring that any customer complaints are handled immediatelyInterviewing, hiring and training new employees to work as cashiers/customers service officer

Boulogne-Sur-Mer, France

Applying rigorous and human management via motivation, challenge and guidance to gain a strong team spirit. Training and developing the skills and involvement of the team to enhance the Customers’ satisfactionImplementing the 35 hours working time law Restructuring and reorganizing the section due to a decrease of staff by 25%Mastering of the margin and the targets in terms of turnover and personnel costsDecreasing(-50%) the stock level inherited from the previous management Preparing and organizing events such as the "back to School" in textile department, the Sport Festival and Football World Cup 98, Xmas season within the toys' section, "100 days promotion” operation.

Mba, International Business & Marketing

Bsc, Engineering (European Business & Technology)

Dut, Techniques De Commercialisation