Interview 14: Kanat Kutluk-Turkish businessman shines in Dubai

Kanat Kutluk (KK) a really successful business man who is experiencing the life in Dubai, shares with us his story in this interview of Dubai Profile News (DPN) Blog. After managing 12 years a MN company for sure his words counts.

DPN: Kanat you are a successful professional working in ECOLAB in a high managerial position today, for more than 12 years. How is it to work in the same company for such a long time?

KK: It is something really pleasant. Nowadays, business environment networking is crucial both inside and outside of your company. The more time you spend in the same company and you work in different regions, the more you have the chance to get to know more colleagues and clients that enables your operation and strengthens your career. Of course, there are downsides of it as well.

DPN: You live the last years of your life in Dubai. What does this city means for you?

I spent almost 6 years of my life in Dubai with loads of traveling within Africa, Middle East and Subcontinent countries.  Dubai is my home and my family, the city where I always return. It is also the ‘City of Life’ like a recent Emirati film stated a real cross cultural hub.

DPN: Originally you are from Turkey. Tell us some things about your country.

KK: Like the rest of the population I feel very much connected to Turkey whether living abroad or in the country. I think Turkish Republic has achieved to establish a democratic state from the ashes of one of the major empire of its time. Even though that still we so struggle in ideologies from the past and future but for sure people are willing and are passionate to do their best for a better living and the future seems to be brighter. 

DPN: You are managing at the moment 65 countries under the umbrella of your company. How do you handle such a responsibility?

KK: Teamwork, delegation and trust. I work with a highly talented and committed team that makes things easier. Additionally I need coordination, collaboration and dedication. Today’s market is a war zone, and each additional asset on this battle zone is welcomed. Courage, leadership and strategy are also essential elements for the success.

DPN: In Dubai you are a resident of the Palm Jumeirah Island, the dream of many people. Share with us this unique living experience.

KK: In general Dubai is providing really high standards of living for its residents but living on the Palm Island, right on the sea is just fun, we are really enjoying it. However, after a while you are getting used of it and become a routine.

DPN: Due to your business responsibilities you need to travel really a lot. Let us know some of your more interesting trips around the world?

KK: Africa is far away one of the most interesting place you a person may travel. Nigeria is a country with huge potentials but at the same time with a number of difficulties. In one of my trips we headed straightaway from the airport straightaway to a public hospital for vaccination. Ethiopia hosts a really beautiful environment with very nice people but on the other hand you can see loads of poverty there. A really dangerous experience that I could share with you was a time that I was in Lahore, Pakistan, very close to the Liberty square, when some people started shooting the Sri Lankan cricket team convoy on the morning of 3rd march 2009. I also traveled to Maldives, Mauritius, and Seychelles for business, places which are more than pleasant. The more you travel the more you learn. I do enjoy it.

DPN: Take us through one of your latest projects.

KK: Makah Royal Clock Tower by Fairmont - Raffles Hotels is a giant Hotel project with almost 4000 rooms. It is a hotel which will set new standards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia along with the new opening of the Ritz Carlton Riyadh. Saudi Arabia is like a film in fast forward, things change rapidly.

DPN: You are working for a MN company and you are the person who established the Dubai
office. How was that experience?

KK: To establish the Dubai office was a unique experience, I have done a lot of new things I wouldn’t normally do if I didn’t have this opportunity. Human Resources in Dubai is quite diversified, you need to build up the experience to be able to make the right selection. I have learned a lot and new skills through experience.

DPN: Apart from being a manager in your company you do need to “manage” also your family. What is the balance between a successful professional and his family?

As I do reach in a few years my 40s, I start reconciling business and family life and I am a stage comes that I shall spend more time and energy with my family. When I do say “energy” I mean that sometimes we are physically with our family but mentally not. And this is something that children may sense the difference. Also I have to say that we are a really good team with my wife as both of us we do work and we share responsibilities and try to take the best decisions and implement as much as we can. I do feel lucky.

 DPN: Who was the role model in your life?

KK: I guess many guys would give you the same answer; my father. His passion to do things in the best possible way always impressed me. Many skills of him as his hard work, the dedication, the commitment and his patience always inspired me.

DPN: If a young person would like to work in Dubai what would you advise?

KK: I would recommend to that person to be innovative as it is not easy nowadays to get a really good job. First of all he shall try to focus on the distinctive specialties he has to do his job compared to others so to differentiate. That shall be stated in the CV in a very clear way. First question to ask is “why to recruit myself for this job”.

DPN: How do you see yourself in 10 years from now?

KK: Either as the Company Director in a MN company or as a Company Owner of an International Trading company preferably based in Dubai.

DPN: Share with us some words of wisdom that you follow.

KK: Whatever you do in your life do it in the best possible way and work hard on yourself at the same time. The day you think I that you are done the day you start declining, it is a journey that never ends.

DPN: Henry David Thoreau, the famous American author said “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it”. Comment that.

It is true that one can only reach success if he constantly seeks and works for it, you need to be ambitious to be able to get there. On the contrary, I must say I have recently started rediscovering the meanings of success and in parallel happiness. There might be some other ways to achieve that and those might be different than the ones we are thought. I think all depends on our choices about life.