Читать книгу Open Innovation - Pascal Latouche - Страница 57

Following completion of his scientific baccalaureate (“a foregone conclusion”), he left home and did a preparatory course in the provinces. “I was in a house in Rouen with 6 students from 6 different faculties…”. Another chance to network and party in different contexts and almost without limits. It was a dream life for Christophe, the student who came home after his classes at 4 pm, went to bed, woke up at 8 pm, worked a bit, and left in the evening around 11 pm…. And the next day he says: “After a while, I admitted that I wasn’t very fresh to look at… (Laughs)”.

Everything was simple and he even managed to pass his exams quite easily. He entered ESSEC (an international business school) and everything was going well overall. Considering his interest in science, I asked Christophe why business and not, for example, a school in sciences (mathematics, physics, etc.). Christophe loved philosophy and it was in the preparatory years for the “business grandes écoles” that his decision was made … ESSEC, he got in with “luck” by passing in-extremis a subject he had barely followed. He then found a way to do a degree in Transdisciplinary Studies at the Grande Faculté de Dauphine where he was able to rub shoulders with a variety of different profiles “a crazy world” that Christophe loved. But not only that….

It was at this time that Christophe developed his taste for entrepreneurship by publishing a photo book entitled “le bêtisier du sport” (the sports outtake), which was noticed among the world of French comedians, and by launching a business to have promotional wines produced and labeled, and even touring the grands ducs on behalf of a major consulting firm as part of a study on the meaning of food…. The good life was found a perfect carefree environment!

He also found a way to do his military service when it was no longer mandatory. Why? Because as an apprentice at the stock exchange, one thing led to another, he met the right people thanks to connections in the army, giving him the opportunity to take a competitive exam to become naval commissioner in New Caledonia. He spent a year there in white gloves and being served in white gloves, while constantly questioning the conformism, even if it was that of food within the army “Vattier, you are transforming the French army into an army of fat people…”. This was pointed out to him one day by his superior officer. “When everything is easy, it’s good, you learn, you gain confidence, but you’re not hungry and you think everything will always be like that”. The young Vattier didn’t care, continuing to take risks, as if to test his luck. But by playing the fool, physically injured, he ended up being repatriated to Metropolitan France to finish his service. Yes, a crazy life where everything is easy!