• How many years have you been a member of the Sika Family?
This is my 10th year.
• What did you feel when you first started at Sika? What were your first impressions?
I was at the factory for orientation the first day I started. Everybody I met was so friendly and sincere that I felt like I had been working here for years.
• Can you please share your most emotional moment in Sika?
In the by-pass surgery that I underwent in 2016. Mr. Turgay, our group manager of the time, came to the hospital before the operation and accompanied my wife and son until the end of the operation. Never in my life will I forget this situation.
• What is the moment when you have been most proud of being a member to the Sika Family?
In the first year I started, Mr. Bora established a certain sales quota to our region and said I expect you to achieve this. I told him that we were going to complete the year with a figure above the target given to us. At the end of the year, we attended the meeting with the pride of accomplishing what we promised. At the end of the meeting, Mr. Bora invited us to the stage and awarded us. I can never forget that moment.
• We all face challenges in our professional life. Can you share the most difficult situation you have been in Sika and how you overcome that situation?
Once, we received a letter regarding the increases of costs. As you know, firstly we explain these increases and their causes exactly to our customers, and then we support it with a written letter. During that process, Mr. Bora came to Ankara with Mr. Turgay for a customer visit. I made an appointment with the coordinator of concrete of one of our big customers (I will not mention the name) and we went to visit. In addition to Mr. Bora and Mr. Turgay, Mr. Hazım and Mr. Yavuz were accompanying us. The Coordinator of Concrete, Mr. Hüseyin (RIP, he passed away from lung cancer 2 years ago) was diabetic and extremely angry and he used to forget things. When I had gone to explain the pricing transitions, he got very angry and his blood sugar went up...
We all sat in his room and he offered us a drink. Mr. Hüseyin brought up the subject and regarding the issue of price increase, he said "Why are you sending us an email as if you are a cement seller?” At that moment, all eyes in the room turned towards me. It's like you are being criticised on the issue, on which your general manager and group manager are the most sensitive. If I were to plead at that moment and said I had gone there a week ago and gave information about the subject and his blood sugar went up, I would have impugned the gentleman. That's why, I remained silent in that interview. On the way out, I told my executives about the situation. Later, Mr. Hüseyin called me and apologised and said that it was because of his memory impairment.
• Is there a moment when you really realise that you are a team?
As I mentioned before, in the by-pass surgery I underwent in 2016. It came out that I had to undergo a surgery urgently. While Mr. Hazım was rushing around with my CD in his hand, Mr. Bora and Mr. Turgay were giving me support and motivating me on the phone. They were telling me not to worry about anything and everything would be handled. In the morning of the operation, while the preparations were being made, Mr. Turgay appearing at the door of the room and giving me support by being with my family until the end of the operation. These are what made me feel that I am a member of such a big family to the bones.
• What do you think about Sika's and your future?
I am working in the only company in the sector that acts accurately and with principles. I would like to state that I am always proud of being a part of such a beautiful family.
• Finally, is there anything you would like to add?
Thank you.