With the advent of the new year we enter also a new area overshadowed by events of 2020. In hindsight the dominating episode in 2020 was the Covid-19 pandemic and the management of the crisis it entailed. Obviously, we will continue to address these issues for future potential new crises and the memory of 2020 will become a twilight of our life when we get older. At this point we have many open-ended questions such as: How the pandemic will end? What kind of a world and future will be waiting for us afterwards? And what is it really; the NEW normal?

The New Year embraces and reminds us of “the new” by its nature. Starting from this point of view, I took a glance at 2020 to see which novelties it has brought to us, I observed that we received the chance to take care of ourselves and our families in a different dimension. It is up to each of us to reflect if and how this time allowed us to think about if and what made us happy in this process (it is very individual). Especially in such turbulent times, naturally, an instinctive reflex gets us to prioritize self-preservation. However, in this period we have seen that caring for others, particularly for our families and loved ones is essential beyond and as a part of our own wellbeing and happiness.

Yes, the pandemic has created a new “normal,” a new reality, a new world indeed. As Siemens, we have a company culture and history which prefers assimilating and embracing change and the NEW before it occurs, I remember our Pictures of the Future Publication and concept, to predict what the future in the changing environment could look like and how we, with new technology can help to improve the quality of life.   It’s worth to be open minded for the NEW also it is, at times, uncomfortable and comes with a stress (but positive stress). As long we see it as such, the new as positive stress and we remain open minded for any change we will prosper, we will grow as individual and as a company. It is within our power to do so.

I wish you all a healthy and happy year that is full of hope, with your families and loved ones

Throughout the history of humankind, our species has always found something to celebrate. Religious celebrations, anniversaries, national or global festivals and many more.

Why are we doing this? I am sure there are many psychological and sociological reasons, but the quintessential need is to have a PAUSE, a moment to shake us up and remind us of the important aspects of our existence. It is also a moment to share and CARE as a community, family, citizen of the world, and an important opportunity to think beyond ourselves.

Well, let’s all remember this aspect of celebrations as we wish the best for the upcoming festivities – whatever they might be. And in particular, let’s hope that the NEW YEAR 2020 will bring happiness, health and prosperity to each of us, our communities and the world.

Happy holidays!

We have already left the first week of 2019 behind. I believe it would be best for all of us to start the year with hope and especially optimism. Well then, what exactly is “optimism”? I have finished reading Steven Pinker’s book “Enlightenment Now” a few days ago. This Canada-born American experimental psychologist defines optimism as “the theory that all failures -all evils- are due to insufficient knowledge.”

There will always be failures or problems, because our knowledge will always be infinitely far from complete. What we need to keep in mind is this: We may encounter problems that are difficult to solve, but it is a big mistake to confuse them with problems unlikely to be solved. Most problems are solvable and each particular failure or evil that we encounter is actually a problem that can be solved. Therefore, we need to be optimistic and focus on the solution to be able to go forward.

An optimistic civilization is open to development and diversity, it is not afraid of innovations, and it has a tradition of constructive criticism. Its institutions focus on continuous improvement, identify failures, and find ways to eliminate them.

There will always be solutions to problems as long as we are optimistic.

After all, what is life but continuous problem-solving?

Happy new year to all!

2019 is only a few days away. I believe that every year-end is an important opportunity to look back and evaluate past actions, to take a look at the roadmap, and to determine the next steps.

The year we are leaving behind has been economically and politically challenging both for Turkey and for the world. Yes, it wasn’t an easy year, but as a “Turkish company with German roots” that has been operating in Turkey for 162 years, we continue to take firm steps with the trust and love we have for our country. As in previous years, we implemented many projects that contribute to the Turkish economy in 2018 and we put our signature under leading investments in our areas of operation.

2018 has also been important in terms of the development of the relations between Germany and Turkey. Since the launch of our operations in Turkey in 1856, we, as Siemens, have always took part in large-scale projects and firsts, while also playing an active role in Germany-Turkey relations. Today, we continue to pay attention to fulfilling our duties to reinforce the ties between the two countries.

The cooperation between Turkey and Germany is based upon strong economic foundations and has a huge potential for growth. I am very happy to see that following a short period of problems, relations have recently reached a much better point. For instance, earlier this year, Siemens AG CEO Joe Kaeser visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In April, we had the opportunity to visit Siemens Training Center in Berlin together with Mr. Berat Albayrak, then Minister of Energy and today’s Minister of Treasury and Finance. During this visit, he stated that “Germany is an indispensable partner for Turkey”.

The best proof of this statement was the BRICA Summit held in İstanbul, hosted by the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TÜSİAD) with support from Siemens Turkey. Many world leaders came together in İstanbul for the BRICA Summit. We are preparing to provide innovative and digital technologies to the projects to be implemented within this scope in the coming period. By supporting successful, open, and fair international cooperation, we will continue to contribute to our country.

Yes, 2018 has been a challenging year not only for our country, but for the whole world. 2019 will also bring along its own challenges. However, let me tell you this: During my 40 years at Siemens, I have worked in seven different countries and faced many challenges and crises. Throughout this time, I have experienced how important it is to think in the long term, to cooperate, and to treasure people. I believe that we have successfully adopted this approach at Siemens Turkey by focusing on long-term plans. Within these 162 years, we have always believed in our country through thick and thin. We know very well that Turkey also trusts in Siemens.

With these positive feelings and opinions, I can’t wait to achieve many more successes in 2019 with the power of trust and love.

May 2019 bring you the best of everything.

Happy New Year!

On the threshold of 2014, I hope you may find the time to think about what was important, meaningful and unforgettable to you in 2013. We live in a time when every day is full of action and we encounter many different things in our country, n our work life, and within ourselves. Incidents and situations emerge and end in such a short time that we need to be prepared for a new one before we can even understand the previous one.
As I think back on 2013, I have to admit that, in the face of incidents and situations that emerge and “become history” very fast, I am astounded, thinking “When does the future start?”
Today, 2013 becomes history and the future makes a new start with 2014.
I wish you and your loved ones a year in which all wishes, particularly those of health and happiness, come true.