Hello dear TED lovers!
Those who didn't leave us alone on April 8, 2017 know that putting on an event like this is a labor of love. It takes a lot of hard work, time, and even giving something of yourself! We volunteers get such great results because we believe in what we do. But of course, we don't do it all on our own. We always mention that we have supporters, and that when it comes to TEDxBahcesehirUniversity they do everything they can and more. They are very valuable to us, and this event was much more successful thanks to them. Today we interviewed one of those supporters: both so you can get to know them better, and to understand how important they are to us and what they bring to us/you...
You know everyone on the team; in fact, we've become like a family with you. But some of our followers may not know you. We've always told our followers about your support and about you, but some may have missed it. So could you tell us a bit about yourself, your work and your life?
- First of all, I am an entrepreneurship volunteer who is inclined to invest in people and ideas in every way, and determined enough to accept certain obstacles along the way, whatever the outcome. If I talk about myself, my work and my life: I am a graduate of English-medium Economics at the Istanbul University Faculty of Economics. I started my career as a dealer at Marbaş Menkul Değerler, then continued at Demirbank and Demir Yatırım, after which my special interest in young people and children gave me the opportunity to work as a contract English teacher at various public schools. Later I moved into the entrepreneurship ecosystem with Junior Achievement Turkey (Genç Başarı Eğitim Vakfı), adapting 5 programs of GBEV, an international foundation, into Turkish and having them implemented at more than 100 schools in 17 provinces. In 2011 I took on the role of Entrepreneurship and Incubation Center Coordinator at the Bahçeşehir University CO-OP Directorate. I currently continue working as Coordinator of the BAU Technology Transfer Office. When I find time these days I swim and explore different cultures and places. As you know, travel and organizing are my thing☺. I'm also about to finish the master's degree I've been working on for 11 years. I also love reading, researching and collecting different stories. In other words, I have a nature that fearlessly pursues every event, phenomenon and impulse that I personally believe to be right, have internalized and see as "GOOD". The motto I always stand by is: "If you know how to share, sharing is tastier than the thing you share."
When did you start working with/supporting TEDxBahcesehirUniversity?
- I had held talks about hosting and collaborating with other TEDx events organized in our country. But for various reasons I hadn't been able to make those collaborations happen. Around that time, with that same excitement, I had the chance to meet dear Batuhan, the curator of TEDxBahcesehirUniversity. Since that day the collaboration has continued with ever-growing excitement.
What do you think has changed in the team and the event since then?
- What hasn't changed! The only thing that hasn't changed, I think, is the excitement. Excitement before, during and after the event. When the event ends, the excitement for the next one begins.
We know you liked them all, but still, what is your favorite TEDxBahcesehirUniversity talk?
- Maybe you'll be hearing this for the first time too: I have a TEDxBahcesehir University notebook. My notes are in it. After reading this question I opened my notebook again. The talks passed before my eyes once more. Since he was our most recent speaker, I'll say İbrahim Selim.
What would you like to say to those joining the team?/What advice do you have?
- Being a team is something that contains many dynamics. First of all, you need to have good analytical skills, foresight, empathy, understanding and a real sense of sharing. All my life I've been part of a team. In other words, I've always wanted us to walk together with people. Because my ideology and my reason for being in life is the idea that at every step, people need people. So friends who want to be part of a team must score goals together and defend the goal together under all circumstances. This team has these qualities in abundance. Yes, you will get tired along with your studies. But don't forget that this tiredness will come back to you as many stories, memories and experiences.
Even though it's a bit early, what are your thoughts on this year's event?
- By its nature, the event serves the right purpose because it embraces sharing, the transfer of knowledge, and different ideas from different ideologies. I can say that the event runs in the right order in terms of how it works, the clear and understandable delivery of ideas at the point of sharing, and the internal dynamics of the talks. Because I think there should also be a certain standardization in how ideas are conveyed. Don't forget that you are accepted to the extent that you can convey your ideas to others in a clear, understandable and systematic way. In this light, since last year's event made quite a splash, I believe this year's event will also make a lot of noise with good content.
Is there anything you'd like to say to our followers?
- Stay tuned ☺ There is always so much to share and to learn from one another.
What do you think makes an organization good?
- An organization should be just like the workings of a human body. In other words, just as pain or a malfunction in any one of our organs affects us as a whole, shortcomings and malfunctions in a single part of an organization will affect its overall operation. For this reason, an Organization Plan and Chart should be made first. Aims and goals should be set. After correctly defining the target audience we will address, a strategy specific to the organization should be set in line with these criteria. As a result of all these steps, everything to be done for the internal dynamics of the organization (seating plan, guests to be invited, content topics, catering, moderator), all materials to be used and the promotional activities (tables and chairs, invitations, posters, digital visuals, etc.) should be planned very well. Don't forget that, as with every criterion, the most important thing that makes an organization stand out, valuable and lovely is how warmly and sincerely you are welcomed by the host.
Could you share a memory of the event with us?
- Being the host in the first year ☺
This is volunteer work, and people may be wondering: what is the feeling that ties you to this organization and team and makes you feel you belong?
- That there are so many points where I inspire and am inspired.
Considering every stage of the organization, what do you think was the most challenging/ demanding/ hardest thing to overcome?
- Until the final stage of an organization, it seems as though there's nothing there. But at the moment of the event, everything is incredible, like a domino show. I wanted my last sentence to be from Molière: "Difficulties are the ornaments that increase the value of success".
See you another time with another interview, stay TED... 👋 👋 👋
