In-houseTolga Uzun on his growth and experiences at Temati
In March 2018, Tolga Uzun joined Temati as an internal sales representative. With a background in sales, the position, which involved extensive customer interaction, immediately appealed to him. Additionally, the international aspect of the company attracted him, as he saw opportunities for further self-development. These expectations have now been more than fulfilled. In this interview, Tolga shares his journey at Temati and how he has developed within the company to become an export manager.
From internal sales to export manager
Tolga started his career at Temati with a wide range of tasks: from handling incoming requests to providing technical support and organising transport within the Netherlands and abroad. After four years, Tolga, partly due to his Turkish background and Temati’s collaboration with a distributor in Turkey, saw an opportunity to further develop this high-potential market. “On my own initiative, I started visiting clients and projects in Turkey. The fact that I can communicate with people in the same language is a great advantage.”
What began as a personal challenge led to a serious expansion of his responsibilities. Now, 2.5 years later, he is responsible for markets in Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Georgia. He regularly travels to these countries to visit customers and projects and to develop the market. “It is fantastic how I have been able to develop myself in this role, but also the growth I have managed to achieve in the Turkish market is something I am proud of. The appreciation I receive from my colleagues for this gives me even more energy.”
Self-development and own initiative
Tolga’s growth within Temati is a great example of how personal initiative and perseverance can lead to new opportunities. “The opportunities to develop yourself are there, but if you sit back and wait for someone to tell you what to do, you won’t get far,” Tolga stresses. “You really have to want it yourself.”
That drive to improve himself is certainly present in Tolga. He is constantly attending courses and also studying at home in the field of insulation. Additionally, he leverages the knowledge of his colleagues and has regularly accompanied the field representative responsible for the Netherlands and Belgium. “Learning from that and developing yourself in those areas are really valuable steps you can take.”
Working at Temati: more than just a job
What Tolga perhaps appreciates most about working at Temati is the work atmosphere and the bond with colleagues. “It is a small, close-knit team where you have a lot of responsibility. The lines of communication are short, allowing you to easily switch between different levels, from the management to the warehouse,” says Tolga enthusiastically.
The atmosphere within the team is informal, and the collaboration is smooth, contributing to a pleasant work environment. Every day starts with a good conversation at the coffee table, which strengthens the mutual bond. The diversity within the international team also plays an important role in this. “We have a great mix of young and old, different nationalities and backgrounds,” Tolga explains. “That is precisely what makes the work so interesting. I have built close relationships with some colleagues, and that makes the work really fun.”
An employer with a heart for its employees
Tolga is clearly proud of his employer. “I have had various employers and seen different companies from the inside, but Temati is special. From the management to the warehouse and all the other branches, it’s just wonderful to work for this company,” he concludes.