Young managers of the Turkish woodworking machinery industry are of critical importance for the development of the sector and the planning of the coming years. The young generation, which brings a new perspective and action to the sector, follows the global sector closely and responds to demands quickly. We talked with Fimaksan International Sales and Marketing Director İrem Fidancı, one of the young managers in the sector, about her career planning and business goals. Fidancı said; “As the Turkish woodworking machinery industry, we produce quality machines for both the foreign market and the domestic market. As the industry continues to produce quality machines, our export figures will continue to increase in the same way. In addition, it is obvious that international fairs play a key role in increasing export figures.”
Fimaksan International Sales and Marketing Director İrem Fidancı, who discussed the visions and goals of young professionals in the woodworking machinery sector and shared her views on the sector with us, said: “We follow the fairs of our sector globally and observe the innovations of our colleagues. In this way, we aim to work with technological companies that are specialized in their fields and highlight the competitive advantages of our company. Producing machines without sacrificing quality gives us a serious competitive advantage both at home and abroad.”
- First of all, can we get to know you a little? How many years have you been in professional business life?
I was born in Sakarya and went to America for university education in 2014. I graduated from the University of Houston-Downtown International Trade department. In 2019, I started my career at Fimaksan Woodworking Machinery, our family business that has been operating for three generations. I currently have five years of professional work experience. I do my job with great passion and I am aware of the advantages of working in a family business. Family businesses have important advantages such as trust, sharing long-term goals, reducing costs and expenses, and encouraging new generation creativity. Trust, which is indispensable for all companies, is a unique phenomenon and this situation is very evident in most successful family businesses. Effective use of authenticity and confidence contributes to the growth or overall development of the company. In family-run businesses, making big decisions can be easier. For example, it is easier for me to make a quick decision when I need approval for a project, rather than having to go through layers of bureaucracy. Or, while strengthening our financial capacity, we can reduce costs and expenses because they are under our own control.
“Türkiye has to produce quality machines for foreign and domestic markets”
- As a young manager, how would you evaluate the current situation of the woodworking machinery industry? What should be done to increase export figures and diversify markets?
The current state of the woodworking machinery industry is quite good. There is an increase in machine manufacturers every day. New companies are entering the market, which shows that the demand for woodworking machines is quite high. As the Turkish woodworking machinery industry, we produce quality machines for both the foreign market and the domestic market. As the Turkish wood machinery industry continues to produce quality machines, our export figures will continue to increase in the same way. In addition, it is obvious that international fairs play a key role in increasing export figures. In order to diversify markets, it is necessary to first conduct detailed market research, analyze customer needs well and determine a product development strategy. Sales, marketing and supply chain operations must be able to cope with increasing demands. If you produce machines by mastering production without compromising quality, you can find quick solutions to customer demands. This provides opportunities for diversification in the market over time.
“Recognizing the successes of our team is one of the most effective ways to motivate them”
- As a young manager, what management strategies do you apply to motivate your team and increase their performance?
Recognizing the successes of our team is one of the most effective ways to motivate them to continue working well. A simple “thank you” to team members helps increase their daily motivation; and reassures them that their efforts have not gone unnoticed. We always treat our team with respect, honesty and support. We always make our employees feel that we are a family. We implement harmonious employer-employee relations to increase the performance of employees, respect the rights of employees and see each of them as a part of production. We try to meet the needs of our employees as much as we can.
5 goals in 5 years
- What are your five most important goals regarding your business life in the next 5 years?
- Growing our business and workplace
- Increasing our exports
- Producing more technological machines (powered by artificial intelligence)
- Employing more staff
- Becoming a world-renowned brand
“We follow the fairs of our sector globally”
- Could you provide information about the efforts you have made to adapt to new technologies both in company management and production, and to highlight your company with a competitive advantage?
We follow the fairs of our sector globally and observe the innovations of our colleagues. In this way, we aim to work with technological companies that are specialized in their fields and highlight the competitive advantages of our company. Producing machines without sacrificing quality gives us a serious competitive advantage both at home and abroad.
“It is very important to complete the work on time with work discipline or responsibility”
- What approach do you adopt to ensure career and private life balance in a busy work schedule?
I strive to maintain a harmonious relationship between my work and my personal life. I prioritize my social life, personal care and well-being. I consciously manage my time and energy to meet my professional and personal needs. I definitely make a weekly “to-do” list, so my work is much more planned and scheduled. Work discipline or responsibility and completing and delivering work on time are very important to me. That’s why I always prefer to work in a planned and programmed way.
“The leader that inspires me in my business life is definitely my father”
- Is there a leader in your business life that inspires you? What did you learn from this leader?
The leader I inspire from in my business life is definitely my father, Ali Fidancı. My father is a very broad-minded businessman, always following the world and new technologies and working integrated with the world. I learned the importance of entrepreneurship from my father. He predicted that one of us should know how to speak English and sent us to study at university in America. There are so many things I learned from my father. He always showed us how important it is to work transparently and honestly in business life. I can say that I received most of my technical knowledge from my father. I learned from my father that following the world and producing state-of-the-art and quality machinery brings success. This makes me feel really lucky.
“Participating in networking events is very useful in establishing professional relationships”
- What advice do you have for young professionals about networking?
The topic of networking is quite important nowadays. Participating in networking events or domestic and international fairs is very useful in establishing professional relationships, expanding your personal network and gaining access to resources. These events provide opportunities to share ideas and learn about the latest trends and know-how.
