"Looking at the pyramid backwards gives an advantage"
Stating that we live in a world that is changing and developing in every field at an accelerating pace, Polat Gülman, Chairman & CEO of Gülman Group, said: "Therefore, this world requires a fast, simple and healthy functioning. A healthy functioning tends to slow down the speed while simplifying things tends to accelerate it. Suppose you are doing business in the global arena and many different fields, even if you can establish a simple and active system in your company operation. In that case, it may not always be possible to simplify the work sufficiently in different geographies, cultures, and sectors. Therefore, in all these differences you will encounter while doing business, you need to develop a unique strategy that you can simplify as much as possible. In general, when you have great difficulty in simplifying, it is advantageous to look at the pyramid backward."
The long-term, complex, rapidly changing, and courageous business world creates new dynamics according to changed conditions and increasing risks. In this framework, those who renew themselves according to the dynamics that emerge continue to be successful, while those who do not understand the spirit of the time disappear. In addition, creating timeless perspectives depends on being able to build bridges between the past and the future. Polat Gülman, Chairman & CEO of Gülman Group, who set out to carry Gülman Group, which has left seventy years behind with successful investments, to the future with new investments, draws attention to his strategic approaches in business life.
Is the leader lonely or alone?
In my opinion, a leader is not alone or lonely. A leader is a whole with his team. He listens to his advisors; he runs things with his team. He is only alone in making decisions. He shares the success of his decision with his team but takes the responsibility alone.
Can the idea of moving fast in parallel with the rapid changes in the world be reconciled with the idea that "Good things take time"?
In parallel with the changes in the world, opportunities have improved, and the ability to access information, act healthily, and make decisions has accelerated. In today's global world, in a competitive environment with thousands and tens of thousands of players, being fast is undoubtedly very important and decisive. Therefore, today, the saying "Good things take time" is as relevant as the saying "Good things are lost because time is lost because we cannot act fast enough". Therefore, it is important to adapt to evolving conditions and to be able to act as fast as necessary under current circumstances. Of course, in a healthy and grounded way... However, opportunities never run out. Every period, every time creates different opportunities.
In the sentence "Life is like chess, you can lose ten pieces and still win", can we replace the word 'Life' with the concept of 'Work life'?
Being in the business world and being successful is all about strategy and can be identified with chess. In every sector, in every market, in every field, you have to carry out interactive strategies developed according to unique conditions, and you can liken this to moves made on a chessboard. In some cases, it may be necessary to downsize and/or make sacrifices to achieve optimal results. But for me - and I think many business people would agree - under ordinary circumstances, I would like to achieve success and results without losing my pawns, rook, or bishop.
How can a new word be spoken if we are the remnants of what we have encountered?
I don't find the phrase "we are the remnants of what we have encountered" very accurate because we are the result of all we have experienced, and all we have encountered. In the social, educational, and business world, in short, every person we have ever spoken to, every piece of information we have learned, every picture we have looked at, every experience we have had, everything we have heard, together with our personality, form us. Of course, factors such as what and how much you receive and how accurately you evaluate are also very important. Therefore, everything you distill and refine from all this accumulation together with your personality is new.
Can we get your thoughts on the struggle with the ancient perspectives of this period that we continue to call the age of entrepreneurship?
I can clearly say that there is no such struggle. Because the world is changing in every field and at a great speed, whether it is social life or the business world, everyone has to keep up with it and follow it. Those who cannot keep up will be left behind, and even if they can live today, they will have difficulty surviving in the future.
As an entrepreneur, can we get an assessment about the reflection of the word "courage" on you?
It takes courage to do something new and different from the norm or to try to create something that does not exist, so one of the qualities of entrepreneurs is undoubtedly courage. Naturally, investing in and supporting these initiatives also requires courage. However, I would like to frame the reflection of the word courage in my definition a little more. Because my definition is not the adventurous, risk-averse kind of courage. Because I evaluate venture capital in the light of certain criteria. First of all, I prefer initiatives that will benefit human life, health, and nature, in short, that can provide a better 'future' in every respect. For me, the concept of sustainability is also important from a commercial perspective. Also, supporting Turkish entrepreneurs in their projects both at home and abroad is among my privileged criteria. When we evaluate all the investments we have made to date, I can say that we have carried out more, more diverse, and more productive projects than any venture capital investment that can be made with 'unframed courage'.
Can we get your thoughts on the understanding that the real challenge is to make things simple?
We live in a world that is changing and developing in every field at an accelerating pace. Therefore, this world requires fast, simple, and healthy functioning. A healthy functioning tends to slow down the speed while simplifying things tends to accelerate it. If you are doing business in the global arena and many different fields, even if you can establish a simple and active system in your company operation; it may not always be possible to simplify the work sufficiently in different geographies, cultures, and sectors. Therefore, you need to develop a unique strategy that you can simplify as much as possible in all these differences you will encounter while doing business. In general, when you find it very difficult to simplify, it is advantageous to look at the pyramid backward. Evaluating the result to be obtained first and dealing with the sub-details if it is positive also simplifies things in a sense.
Does a linear course of action lead to a successful outcome?
Your business principles, your work culture, the main goal you set, and the sub-goals you will reach to achieve it must be properly established. It is important to make the right and consistent effort to achieve these goals. Nothing is straight or smooth in business life. It is important to get out of a linear structure to reach the result, sometimes to draw zigzags, or even to find the exit in a maze. Therefore, as in driving a car, in the business world, looking ahead, focusing on where you want to go, and getting there correctly and healthily will bring you success.