The Best Way to Survive AI: Leadership Lessons from My Summer Vacation

My phone has been buzzing with notifications recently. Thank you to everyone who sent messages celebrating my 13 years at PMI!

Being on vacation during this milestone gave me a chance to step back. I am almost completely disconnected from the daily corporate rush. When the noise fades, you finally have the mental space to think about the bigger picture and future growth plans.

During my morning walks by the sea, I’ve been listening to podcasts about Artificial Intelligence and its impact on us - white collar professionals. The fear is everywhere: What happens when machines can do our jobs faster?

An early morning walk with podcasts on AI

The best answer didn’t come from a tech or HR expert. It came from two local business owners I met here in Marmaris.

Before I tell you what they did, you need to know how I found them. I didn’t use a search engine. I hired our boat captain because the hotel insisted. I drove to a restaurant in Söğüt because a neighbor told me I simply had to go. That is the payoff of real leadership. When you lead well, your customers do your marketing for you.

The Captain Who Helped a Rival

Our boat captain in Selimiye was flawless. The wind was heavy, but he docked our boat smoothly on the first try. The boat right behind us, however, was struggling. They tried and failed multiple times.

Time to have nice memories with my son in the boat

An algorithm only cares about its own success. It finishes its task and stops.

Our captain didn't do that. He stood up, shouted directions over the wind, and patiently guided his competitor until they were safely docked, too. As we left, the rival crew yelled their thanks across the water. He didn’t just steer a boat; he helped a rival succeed.

Family comes first, and vacation period is the best time for quality time with family

The Welcome Before the Menu

A few days later, we drove to that highly recommended restaurant in Söğüt. Before I even turned off the engine in the parking lot, a woman walked up to our car with a huge, warm smile.

It was Yasemin, the manager who also named the restaurant. She didn't wait for us to walk inside. She saw we were new, welcomed us right at the car, and personally guided us down a narrow path to the water.

Software can take a dinner reservation in one second. It can send automated reminders. But it cannot walk up to your car and make you feel valued before you even sit down.

The Un-Automatable Growth Strategy

After 13 years in Philip Morris International (in addition to 3 years at PwC and another 3 years at General Motors), I know how much we focus on efficiency and automation. They are important. But efficiency is not a legacy.

If your business model relies entirely on doing tasks faster, AI will eventually catch up. But if your growth relies on empathy, building deep trust, and showing genuine care to competitors and customers, you are irreplaceable.

You cannot automate a good reputation. We don't need to act more like machines to survive the future. We just need to be more human.

Celebrating Three Years of Growth and Achievements! 🌟

I can hardly believe it has already been three years since I embarked on an incredible journey with PMI Duty Free as a Finance Manager. Looking back, it's remarkable to see how much has changed, both in my professional life and personally. 

When I joined the team (on June 1st, 2020) amidst the challenging times of the pandemic, I made a bold decision to move from the beautiful city of Izmir to the vibrant metropolis of Istanbul. It was a leap of faith, but one that has undoubtedly paid off. Embracing this change has not only broadened my horizons but also allowed me to contribute to the growth and success of PMI Duty Free Finance. 

During my time here, I have been fortunate to receive recognition for my hard work and dedication. I am humbled to have received the "Excellence Award" and the prestigious "ABCD Award" for my achievements during the transformation of PMI and Duty Free. One particular highlight was our Finance Transformation initiative in the Duty-Free, which led to our team winning the coveted SFS Co-Pilot Team Award. These accolades serve as a testament to the collaborative spirit and innovative mindset that thrives within our organization.  

Looking ahead, I am excited to share that I have set my sights on embracing more global responsibilities. With a passion for expanding my expertise in global finance, I am actively working towards this objective. I firmly believe that by continuously challenging myself and staying abreast of the latest industry and digital trends, I can contribute to the growth and success of PMI on a global scale. 
 

I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities, support, and mentorship I have received during my time at PMI. None of my achievements would have been possible without the amazing colleagues and leaders who have inspired and guided me every step of the way. 
 

As I reflect on the past three years, I am filled with a deep sense of pride and gratitude. I am eager to continue this remarkable journey, making meaningful contributions and driving success for Philip Morris International. 
 

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of my journey so far, and here's to the next chapter of growth, challenges, and achievements together! 

Let's remember some of the key take-aways from these three years:

• Unsmoke: Three Leadership Dimensions that I Experienced After My Grandmother’s Passing Away
• Unsmoke: PMI's Integrated Report'22 Challenge from My Perspective 
• Volkan Yorulmaz: Meet Volkan Yorulmaz
• Unsmoke: PMI's World Clean-up Challenge 2022
• Volkan Yorulmaz: Kendine İyi Bak Torbalı
• Volkan Yorulmaz: Leadership Award for Forward Looking
• Volkan Yorulmaz: Recognition for Excellence Award - PMIDF Global Conference: Connect
• Volkan Yorulmaz: İmza Yetkisinden Fazlası

 

The Unsung Heroes: Why Operational Workers are Essential to Business Success

When we think about successful businesses, we often focus on the leaders - the CEOs, the managers, the visionaries who steer the ship. But behind every great leader, there are countless people doing the day-to-day work that keeps the business running smoothly. These people may not be in positions of power or prestige, but their contributions are just as critical to the success of the business. In fact, it could be argued that without them, the leaders would have nothing to lead. 

These unsung heroes are the operational workers - the people who handle the nitty-gritty tasks that make the business function. They may be responsible for tasks such as processing orders, managing inventory, providing customer support, or handling payroll. These tasks may not be glamorous, but they are absolutely essential to the smooth operation of the business. 

So why are these operational workers so important? Here are a few reasons:

They keep the wheels turning 
Without the operational workers, the business would grind to a halt. They are the ones who make sure that orders are fulfilled, customers are taken care of, and bills are paid on time. They keep the business running like a well-oiled machine, even when things get hectic. 
 

They are the backbone of the organization 
While leaders may set the strategy and direction for the business, it's the operational workers who execute that strategy. They are the ones who make sure that the plans are put into action and that the business is moving forward. Without them, the grand plans of the leaders would be just that - plans. 
 

They provide valuable insights 
Operational workers are often the ones who are closest to the day-to-day workings of the business. They see the challenges that arise and come up with creative solutions to solve them. They also have valuable insights into what's working well and what could be improved. By listening to and valuing the input of these workers, leaders can make better decisions and improve the overall success of the business. 
 

They are a vital part of the team 
Just because someone is not a leader doesn't mean they aren't an integral part of the team. Operational workers often work closely together and rely on each other to get things done. They form a tight-knit community and are often the ones who keep morale high and the team functioning smoothly. 

In conclusion, while leaders may get much attention and accolades, the operational workers are the unsung heroes who keep the business running. They are the backbone of the organization, providing valuable insights, keeping the wheels turning, and serving as vital members of the team. Without them, the business would be much less successful. So, the next time you think about the success of a business, remember to give credit where credit is due - to the hardworking operational workers who make it all possible. 

 

Meet the OT Icebreaker Session with Martin Jobin!

In PMI Duty Free, there is an initiative which has been developed by the Finding Balance, Building Connections Project Team to address the need of providing more opportunities to Duty Free organization to interact with the Operations Team members with smaller groups and at the individual level and get to know them as a person and as a leader more closely. During these sessions, we have the time and the opportunity to interact 1:1, ask questions and share views.

On 2 March 2022, I had the chance to join the Icebreaker Session with Martin Jobin. Martin is currently working as Global Head Consumer Experience, Marketing and Digital in PMI Duty Free. He previously worked as Content and Activation Director Europe in Nissan Motor Corporation, Digital and Communication Manager in Infiniti Europe and Global Digital Senior Manager in Volvo Car Group.

Before the meeting, I just had the chance to google “Martin Jobin” and saw that Volvo still publishes his comments on their official site. Martin stated that “We are becoming a centre of excellence in interactive marketing” for Volvo. This is truly a transformation in automotive sector. After reading this statement, I decided to ask Martin the question below:

“How do you transfer the knowledge you gained from automotive industry to our smoke-free future vision? When you turn back to your career in PMI, which project or success story makes you most proud of?

Thanks to Martin, he answered my question frankly and shared some key digitalization projects in PMI. He told that all success is a team effort. He also highlighted that Scandinavians were so good at digitalization in early 2000s. He made us remember Nokia and Flash, and stated that Volvo was a cutting edge in automotive industry in those years.

We were 11 colleagues together with Martin during the session. My colleagues asked personal, professional and corporate level questions and I learned a lot from Martin’s answers. Leaving the business-related topics away, let me write down his recommendations on career management. Here are some of my key take-aways from this session:

·       Don’t overestimate the other industry. In every industry, we need to adapt so many things. Don’t think that things do not change, they do.

·        When you are new to an organization, first understand the organization. Learn who does what.

·        Make sure you always work on interesting projects. Ask yourself these questions:

o   What do you want your CV to show in 20 years from now?

o   What is my elevator speech?

·        Be mobile, reach different experiences, be curious about business needs. Make sure you understand the business roles and think about what is required to make it happen.

·        Continue learning not to fall behind. Always grow yourself.

·        Don’t stop planning for the future.

·        Empower your team. Make sure you have an exit to relax, spend time with friends and spare time for sport.