10.02.2020 Kahramanmaraş
As per Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (KSU) senate decision, President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu was presented an honorary doctorate. Hisarcıklıoğlu gave a speech at the ceremony, thanking the students for the title he was awarded, urging students to be entrepreneurs.
TOBB
President Hisarcıklıoğlu gave leadership and entrepreneurship advice to
students after the presentation of an honorary doctorate by KSU Rector Prof.
Dr. Niyazi Can. Hisarcıklıoğlu pointed out that Kahramanmaraş is one of the
most important symbols in the history of the nation’s war for independence, “The
civil resistance that began when the Sütçü İmam fired the first bullet against
the French occupation spread throughout the city. People of Maraş alone saved
their city, then rushed to the aid of the surrounding provinces. He deserved his
hero title to the fullest.”
TOBB
President Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that he sees the future of the country in the young,
“I'm hopeful. I'm working more eagerly. Our university has written its success
story. Although it is quite young when looking at the world's best
universities, Kahramanmaraş Sütçü Imam University is among the most established
educational institutions in Turkey today with 11 faculties, 4 colleges and 22
research and application centers. You have one of the largest campuses in
Turkey, enabling all kinds of scientific, social, cultural and sporting
activities. You work closely with business people in the area. Thus, you are
supporting the development of the region and our country, not just
Kahramanmaraş.”
- Entrepreneurship lesson from
Hisarcıklıoğlu to young people
TOBB
President Hisarcıklıoğlu said that he always speaks about entrepreneurship when
he sees young people and that the path to prosperity is through
entrepreneurship. Hisarcıklıoğlu, who shared the findings of a foreign author
in 1912, noting that people wanted to be civil servants or soldiers at the
time. Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that entrepreneurship was not reputable in those
days, while today, countries have come to import entrepreneurs and the solution
of unemployment and prosperity come with entrepreneurship.
The
TOBB President, who stated that the power of nations in the world is measured
not their arms but by its entrepreneurial power, gave examples of the Soviet
Union and Germany-Japan. Pointing out that the Soviet Union, one of the two
superpowers of its time, collapsed because it lacked entrepreneurs and that
after WWII, Germany and Japan were back on their feet thanks to entrepreneurs.
- More entrepreneurs needed
Hisarcıklıoğlu
emphasized that the solution of unemployment is in entrepreneurship, “We need
to get more entrepreneurs! With this vision, I have traveled every step of our
country. I spoke about entrepreneurship. We have established the largest
women's and young entrepreneur councils in Turkey. We founded TOBB University
of Economics and Technology. If you were to ask me to summarize
entrepreneurship in a single sentence, I would say, for me, the entrepreneur is
the one who crosses the boundaries. Who did you think of when talking about space
exploration? Russia and the United States. In space, two countries wage a power
struggle. Now it's not a country when it comes to space – it’s Elon Musk. So
how to become an entrepreneur? It's very important to dream in entrepreneurship.
I've been an entrepreneur for 40 years, and I still dream every day. Muhammad
Ali says, ‘A man without imagination has no wings.’ It's the only area we don't
have borders. You have to combine the dream with the goal. If you don't set a
target, you're a dreamer. The target must be big.
Remember,
there's no success without hard work. Mehmet Akif says, 'Those who come from
behind crush those who sleep on the road.’ There's no right to life for those
who stop. Humanity doesn't stop. If you stop, you'll be crushed. I still don't
leave TOBB before midnight.
Another
important issue is innovation. This is actually bringing new traditions to the
old village! Innovation is to invent. To do what is not done or to do what is
done in a new way.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
gave examples of Nokia, iPhone, Uber, Airbnb and Whatsapp on this issue.
Focusing on the importance of branding, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Whatever you do,
make it a brand! Turkey is a great paradise! There's no better! This year,
Spain reached Turkey's 12-month tourism revenue in 5.5 months. Kahramanmaraş is
doing well. You have 12 geographically marked products, and Kahramanmaraş ice
cream is one of them. You have
introduced it all over Turkey. Now you're introducing it to the world. As a son
of this country, I want to thank you all for preserving our values. You shouldn't be afraid to take risks. A man
who's not brave can't be an entrepreneur. The key to success is not giving up!
Behind the great achievements is the failure and perseverance. The one who
doesn't get tired of losing wins. Edison, who invented the light bulb, has a
much-loved saying, Edison says: If I failed 10,000 times, I wouldn't
despair. Every mistake is part of the
path going forward.”
- Improve the culture of
partnership
Focusing
on the importance of the partnership culture, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “Of course,
we need to develop a culture of partnership. Those who partner will always go higher.
We have to stop this habit of jealousy. Grace and prosperity in unity; anguish
in dissent.”
Hisarcıklıoğlu
emphasized that everyone should have their own principles, and explained his
own principles: “Savings are what will net profit; the trick is honesty; check
first, trust afterwards; trusting memory is always wrong; there can be no
covering for work.”
The
TOBB President said, “Get out of your comfort zone! What does that mean? I call
it ‘Active laziness’ in Turkish. I mean, you're doing something, but you always
do the same thing. And you expect different results. Whereas everything's
moving, everything's changing. Active laziness is the equivalent of doing
nothing! It only provides psychological relief. What's the biggest difference
between humans and animals? Looking for
innovation. The ant builds its home the same way he built it 1,000 years ago.
Mevlana has a good saying: Yesterday was yesterday, my dear. You have to say
something new today. Be different! Be a citizen of the world. Travel a lot,
learn new cultures. Never stop reading, researching. But don't believe
everything you hear either. We are living in the time of post-truth. Most of
the information circulating online on social media is unfounded, consciously
crafted content to manipulate you. Be aware of that! Question everything! Seek the
truth! In every job you do, in every environment you are in, be conscientious.
Be fair. Work for a world where right makes might, not might makes right. And
don't marginalize each other. Don't view those around you as the other. Presserve
your unity. I'm hopeful for the future of my country.”