Ellka Io

The internship I completed was at Plaza Premium Lounge, a globally renowned airport hospitality company. Over the past 25 years, Plaza Premium Lounge has been at the forefront of revolutionizing the airport experience for travellers. PPG integrated 360° airport services have set the industry standard by simplifying and enriching the journeys of both leisure and business travellers.

PPG offers a comprehensive range of services that cater to every aspect of the airport experience. From industry-leading in-airport accommodation and award-winning lounge operations to innovative design, airport dining, concierge, and porter services, its goal is to create memorable experiences for travellers. With a presence in 250 locations across 80 airports in 30 countries and regions, the economies of scale and extensive network enable it to deliver exceptional services to travellers worldwide. The commitment to excellence has been recognised through numerous awards, which highlight the innovative approach and dedication to enhancing the overall airport travel experience.

The duration of my internship at Plaza Premium Lounge was from March to July 2024.

During my internship at Plaza Premium Lounge, I had the opportunity to work on various business development projects and contribute to the company’s strategic planning. One of my main responsibilities was analysing the company’s business model to identify areas of improvement and potential growth opportunities. This involved conducting in-depth research and data gathering to understand the current network coverage and statistics. In addition, I worked on projects related to airline alliance terminals and corresponding lounge terminals in global airports. By gathering data on these terminals, I was able to identify demand, competitors, supply partners, and potential locations for expanding our services. This information played a crucial role in strategising and making informed decisions for business development.

Furthermore, I conducted real business case analyses to identify financial gaps within the existing business models. By analysing the process flow and involvement of different stakeholders, I proposed solutions to address operational burdens and improve efficiency. These efforts aimed to optimise the overall business performance of Plaza Premium Lounge. Throughout my internship, I actively participated in regular meetings where I provided updates on the progress of business development projects. This allowed me to contribute to strategic planning discussions and gain insights into the decision-making process at Plaza Premium Lounge.

Overall, my responsibilities during the internship encompassed analysing the business model, researching network coverage, and using data for strategic planning purposes. These experiences provided me with valuable insights into the complexities of business development in the airport hospitality industry.

During my internship at Plaza Premium Lounge, I acquired valuable insights and developed essential skills that have significantly influenced my professional growth. Enhancing my ability to deliver compelling presentations and effectively communicate complex ideas and findings to diverse audiences was a key skill I refined. This involved perfecting my presentation techniques and designing impactful PowerPoint slides to ensure clear and persuasive information delivery. Engaging in debates and actively seeking to comprehend unfamiliar concepts were also pivotal skills I cultivated during my internship. These skills allowed me to broaden my knowledge base and engage in meaningful discussions with colleagues and supervisors, fostering a culture of continuous learning.

From an operational perspective, I deepened my understanding of the process flow within a business model and learned to identify potential gaps that could lead to operational burdens and financial leakage. This knowledge enabled me to propose effective solutions and strategies to address these gaps, thereby promoting efficiency and long-term success. A significant lesson I learned was the importance of considering long-term outcomes when making decisions. My supervisor emphasised the value of utilising experience and common sense to guide decision-making processes, encouraging me to think beyond immediate results and evaluate the broader impact and implications of my choices.

Another valuable lesson I gained from my internship was the importance of accepting mistakes as learning opportunities. This mindset allowed me to grow, adapt, and enhance my skills and performance. Actively engaging with the team and maintaining a humble attitude fostered a collaborative work environment, stimulating continuous learning from both accomplishments and setbacks.

Additionally, I learned the significance of meticulous planning and setting clear project goals when initiating a new endeavour. For example, in my research, it was essential to carefully select and analyse relevant data to support my findings and presentations. Being attentive and cautious in handling numbers and information played a crucial role in ensuring accuracy and reliability.

Overall, my internship at Plaza Premium Lounge equipped me with a diverse range of valuable lessons and skills, including effective communication, critical thinking, process improvement, long-term decision-making, and embracing a growth mindset. These experiences have undeniably contributed to my professional development and will continue to shape my career trajectory moving forward.

The internship experience complemented and reinforced what I was learning in my MBA programme by bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and their practical applications. It allowed me to bring the concepts learned in class into real-life scenarios, providing a hands-on learning experience.