Consulting Project 2024: Customer Management System Solutions for Enterprises from Master's Students in Fintech at IFI

The Consulting Project is not only a highlight but also a significant part of the Fintech Master's program at IFI. This marks the third consecutive year IFI has organized this event. The presentation session not only provides opportunities for students to freely propose solutions to challenges in the Fintech field but also facilitates direct collaboration between the university and major businesses. Representatives from participating businesses not only serve as judges but also share valuable insights with students, helping them become future experts in the Fintech industry.

Specifically, students were tasked with designing a customer management system for SonKim Retail, a brand of Sơn Kim Group, operating in the retail sector, integrating products and services targeting various customer segments. SonKim Retail owns brands such as the GS25 convenience store chain, the GS Shop e-commerce platform, Vera and Jockey fashion brands, Watami, Mama Sens, and Jardin Des Sens restaurants, as well as logistics services like Logis DC Park, among others. This year's case was provided by Trần Viết Huân, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Sơn Kim Group. Mr. Huân directly participated as an advisor and a member of the Evaluation Committee in the presentation session of solutions by Cohort 3 students.

For this course, students work in groups (5-6 members each). Groups research and develop presentation content covering: (1) Assessing the strengths/weaknesses of the customer management program based on blockchain technology and multi-token reward systems; (2) Proposing a digital tokenization platform to create enterprise brand tokens; (3) Proposing a simple electronic wallet to manage reward programs with token lending and exchange functions; (4) Proposing an API gateway integrated with the enterprise's sales system (POS, CRM); (5) Proposing a platform facilitating the exchange and trading of enterprise brand tokens anytime, anywhere. Groups have 2 weeks to research and propose solutions for Fintech businesses with support and guidance from professors and PhDs from IFI and EM Normandie Business School, France.

During the presentation session, the Evaluation Committee included experts like Trần Viết Huân, lecturers from EM Normandie Business School (France), and from IFI, namely Prof. Paul Griffiths, Dr. Hồ Tường Vinh, and Dr. Đào Tùng.

Most students acknowledged the practicality of this year's case, as it applied blockchain technology to the customer loyalty management system. Ms. Lưu Bảo Trang, a student of Cohort 3 in the Fintech Master's program, shared: "Our group received detailed guidance from the professors. Internally, our team cooperated and worked seriously to tackle this challenge. Personally, working in the banking sector, I understand the importance of customer management systems and the pain points that businesses face. Therefore, what I learn from this assignment goes beyond just presentations; it can be applied to develop customer management platforms for financial organizations in the future."

Regarding interaction with professors, Mr. Vũ Trọng Bằng, currently working at NTQ Solutions, said, "The professors are experienced and always update their knowledge. Therefore, the content they deliver is easily understandable. Moreover, in-class exercises, such as analyzing and solving real-life cases, help us understand the essence of the problem rather than just studying theory."

"None of us in our group had a background in technology, so when we were assigned this task, everyone was initially puzzled. However, after the professors explained more in Q&A sessions, our group gradually figured out how to proceed. The more we researched, the more we realized the value because these are new concepts that can be fully applied in our work. Additionally, it provides us with an opportunity to have an overall view of how these steps will unfold in our daily lives," Ms. Vũ Thị Thuỳ Linh expressed her feelings after the presentation session.

At the end of the Consulting Project session, Mr. Trần Viết Huân provided feedback for each group. Mr. Huân and the Evaluation Committee agreed that all groups delivered good presentations and proposed impressive ideas, with Group 4 standing out as the team with the most feasible and innovative solution. Therefore, Group 4 was declared the winner of this challenge.

Let's review some images from the Consulting Project session below: