Why Aren’t Global Brands Emerging from Turkey?
Narrow and short-sighted approaches, encountered in every industry, are holding our country back in global competition. Yet, the Gen Z, whom we often criticize, are extremely intelligent and capable. However, instead of struggling with outdated mindsets, these young people either choose to leave the country or retreat into the digital world to develop themselves. Today’s industrialists are unable to keep pace with the rapidly changing world, and they are not even aware of the resources at their disposal. Innovation, change, and progress have become mere buzzwords.

Recently, we’ve had meetings with numerous company executives, and we leave each one feeling even more disheartened. It’s hard to believe that the people running these companies are the representatives of our industry and commerce. Unfortunately, I’ve come to think that much of our economic crisis can be attributed to these short-sighted industrialists.

I strongly believe in the importance of evaluating every company—big or small—on its own merits today. Whether a company employs 10, 100, or 1,000 people, it must produce high-value-added products and position itself correctly in the global market. Companies that manage their investments wisely, invest in their brand, value their employees over their cars, and embrace innovation not just in their products but in their minds will be the ones that sustain themselves and our country. The old saying, “A nail saves a horseshoe, a horseshoe saves a horse, a horse saves a rider, and a rider saves a nation,” reflects a vision that today’s industrialists must not forget.

Industrialists are the representatives of our country in the global market. Success cannot be achieved with a mentality that merely aims to pay salaries and indulge in luxury consumption while failing to use the power they hold effectively. Change your mindset! Work with the right people, broaden your vision, and embrace the future. Invest in technology, innovations, and most importantly, human resources. Your largest expense should be personnel costs because a company’s most valuable asset is its workforce. Instead of pocketing company profits for personal consumption, reinvest that profit back into your business. As a boss, instead of seeing yourself as the sole owner of the profits, settle for your managerial salary and work for the future of the company.

There are companies we are proud of that are quietly achieving remarkable things. The increase in the number of such companies means that Turkey is gaining strongholds in industry. Today, every industrialist represents our country as a fortress. Take care of your fortresses and build the future of this country not only with your products but also with your mindset.

Remember, a company’s size is measured not only by its material assets but also by its vision and capacity for innovation. To ensure that Turkey reaches its rightful place on the global stage, our industrialists must be not only managers but also leaders.

For a strong economy, every industrialist must protect their fortress and be strong.

Sefer Doğan Özdoğan

Respectfully,