Lisa Koss Speaks At “Sister” IMC Chapter in Turkey
November 19, 2008

By Lisa J. Koss CMC, Immediate Past President of IMC-Arizona & Principal of International Advantage®

While planning a trip to Turkey for business and pleasure it hadn’t crossed my mind to look up our IMC counterparts in Turkey. But a suggestion by distinguished, national and chapter (founding) member, Jim Soudriette, FIMC, CMC, was converted into a change of plans. I reached out to the YDD, Yönetim Danişmanlari Derneği, a member of ICMCI.

And why not look up a “sister” organizations when we travel internationally? For me, doing so coincides with my interest in the management consulting profession, as well as my own professional focus at International Advantage of supporting those leaders and organizations who navigate change in cross cultural environments. (www.intladvantge.com)

The YDD has 164 members spread between Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir. The chapters have monthly meetings and provide resources for certification. (Of the 25 or so present, four were certified.) They meet monthly at a private yacht club for cocktails, dinner, and conversation. I was interested to learn that management consulting is relatively new in Turkey and requires a good understanding of the opportunities and risks of working in family-owned businesses. As in many countries, most businesses are held among family members. I found myself thinking of our own long time Arizona chapter member, Attorney John Goodson, of Goodson Manley Forakis PLC, who specializes in the structural and legal considerations of running family owned businesses.

The meeting topic of the month was a lively discussion of the benefits and risks of strategic partnerships for small and medium sized businesses. (Next time I hope to speak enough Turkish to convey some of the themes, but for now I invite the Turkish attendees to submit the conclusions!) Interestingly for me, the meeting topic was derived from the fact that a journalist wanted to gain YDD’s insight into this question for an article. To my knowledge, we in Arizona have not yet had a similar request from our media sources, and so I say “kudos” to YDD.

I was also pleased to speak on the state of consulting, the current direction of IMC-USA and the state of affairs at my Arizona Chapter. Going a step further, I also asked a question that I now pose to all readers of this article:

In addition to participation as a country representative in ICMCI, how else might a management consultant find opportunities to partner with our professional colleagues in other countries in order to provide increased value to our global clients? Could a global, virtual chapter provide the vehicle for these connections?

The Istanbul Chapter was most generous and hospitable. I want to thank Secretary General Alev Balkış for his ample communication that allowed me to attend the event, the generous chapter president, Mr. Lütfi Hüseyin Ensari, and all the YDD members who graciously welcomed me. I look forward to future collaboration with its members and invite all to consider the question of how to foster connection between our organizations.

Turkish accounts of the visit at the YDD website, with photos:
http://www.ydd.org.tr/tr/haber.asp?ID=228#Yorumlar and
http://www.ydd.org.tr/bulten/2/haber4.htm