Businesspeople choose the leaders
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Hürriyet
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 26, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Businesspeople participating in the annual survey of the weekly Ekonomist magazine select Bülent Eczacıbaşı as ’Businessperson of the Year.’ Ersin Özince, chief executive of İşbank, has received the ’Professional of The Year’ award.
Results of the annual "Businesspeople of The Year In Economy" survey by the weekly Ekonomist magazine have been made public in the magazine’s latest issue.
Concluded with great participation from the business world, the "Businessperson of The Year" for 2008 was chosen as Bülent Eczacıbaşı, chairman of Eczacıbaşı holding, who received the award for the second time after a decade.
"Professional of The Year" was chosen as Ersin Özince, chief executive of İşbank. The 820 people who participated in the survey chose Durmuş Yılmaz, governor of the Central Bank, as "Bureaucrat of the Year." Yılmaz became the fifth central bank chief of receive the 18-year-old award.
Warning on exchange rates
Businesspeople chose İsmail Çoban of Şölen, a chocolate company, and Gülden Yılmaz, founder of the textile giant Koton, as "Entrepreneurs of The Year." Meanwhile, the "Civil Society Leader of The Year" was chosen as İbrahim Betil.
The magazine showed Governor Yılmaz’s warning on currency exchange rates before the crisis erupted as an example of his consistency. The U.S. dollar was trading at around 1.15 Turkish Liras in August, but now it is trading at about 1.66 liras.
The "Businessperson of The Year" award was given to Eczacıbaşı due to his consistency and determination in opening the holding to the world. "A decade ago, I had received the same award," Eczacıbaşı said. "We are a group that determines strategies depending on long-term vision."
Ersin Özince, chosen as "Professional of The Year," said İşbank gives full social and trade union rights to its employees. "All of our companies are either tax champions or are at the forefront," he said. "During times of crisis, our staff is not even disturbed. Our companies are faithful to their staff and the staff is faithful to the company."
The male entrepreneur of the year, İsmail Çoban, said his success depends on the harmony between family members at Şölen, a family company. Şölen currently exports chocolate to 120 countries from its base in Gaziantep. The firm ranks number 245 among Turkey’s 500 biggest companies. The company allocates 1.5 percent of its revenues to research and development and also works with famous designers. Şölen aims further expansion abroad in 2009.
Rapid growth
Gülden Yılmaz, the female entrepreneur of the year, is vice president of Koton. The company currently has 130 stores in Turkey and 52 abroad and sells more than 15 million products in over 300 locations around the world. The company has recorded its biggest growth in the last five years. With more than 100 stylists, Koton presents 15,000 new models, more than 50 collections each year, and employs nearly 4,000 people. The company grew 40 percent last year and aims for 30 percent growth in 2009.
İbrahim Betil, the "Civil Society Leader of The Year," is the founder of the Community Volunteers Foundation, or TOG. The foundation aims to be "the most widespread youth organization."
Concluded with great participation from the business world, the "Businessperson of The Year" for 2008 was chosen as Bülent Eczacıbaşı, chairman of Eczacıbaşı holding, who received the award for the second time after a decade.
"Professional of The Year" was chosen as Ersin Özince, chief executive of İşbank. The 820 people who participated in the survey chose Durmuş Yılmaz, governor of the Central Bank, as "Bureaucrat of the Year." Yılmaz became the fifth central bank chief of receive the 18-year-old award.
Warning on exchange rates
Businesspeople chose İsmail Çoban of Şölen, a chocolate company, and Gülden Yılmaz, founder of the textile giant Koton, as "Entrepreneurs of The Year." Meanwhile, the "Civil Society Leader of The Year" was chosen as İbrahim Betil.
The magazine showed Governor Yılmaz’s warning on currency exchange rates before the crisis erupted as an example of his consistency. The U.S. dollar was trading at around 1.15 Turkish Liras in August, but now it is trading at about 1.66 liras.
The "Businessperson of The Year" award was given to Eczacıbaşı due to his consistency and determination in opening the holding to the world. "A decade ago, I had received the same award," Eczacıbaşı said. "We are a group that determines strategies depending on long-term vision."
Ersin Özince, chosen as "Professional of The Year," said İşbank gives full social and trade union rights to its employees. "All of our companies are either tax champions or are at the forefront," he said. "During times of crisis, our staff is not even disturbed. Our companies are faithful to their staff and the staff is faithful to the company."
The male entrepreneur of the year, İsmail Çoban, said his success depends on the harmony between family members at Şölen, a family company. Şölen currently exports chocolate to 120 countries from its base in Gaziantep. The firm ranks number 245 among Turkey’s 500 biggest companies. The company allocates 1.5 percent of its revenues to research and development and also works with famous designers. Şölen aims further expansion abroad in 2009.
Rapid growth
Gülden Yılmaz, the female entrepreneur of the year, is vice president of Koton. The company currently has 130 stores in Turkey and 52 abroad and sells more than 15 million products in over 300 locations around the world. The company has recorded its biggest growth in the last five years. With more than 100 stylists, Koton presents 15,000 new models, more than 50 collections each year, and employs nearly 4,000 people. The company grew 40 percent last year and aims for 30 percent growth in 2009.
İbrahim Betil, the "Civil Society Leader of The Year," is the founder of the Community Volunteers Foundation, or TOG. The foundation aims to be "the most widespread youth organization."