I live in Istanbul – between Europe and Asia, as well as between Excel and PowerPoint

Introduce yourself with a few sentences. What does your work as daily commitments consist of?

My name is Kristian Tashev and I have recently become the director of Royal Canin for the Eurasia region. This means a lot of online meetings, even more dogs and cats in presentations, and sometimes drama with logistics and communication with people from over 40 different cultures. I make strategies, then I adapt them to reality.

In which country and city do you currently live and how did you end up there?

I live in Istanbul – between Europe and Asia, as well as between Excel and PowerPoint. I ended up here because after 4 years in Israel, as the manager of the local office, the company decided that this is the perfect place to build a new structure for the entire region. And who can refuse a view of the Bosphorus?

What were the biggest challenges you faced at the beginning of your stay?

The administration - in Istanbul, you can spend days going between different offices and institutions, and each one can tell you that you are missing something that needs to be obtained from another place. Also, the balance between establishing personal issues and entering a new professional role requires a lot of energy and effort.

How did you overcome the language barrier (if there was one)?

With a smile, Google Translate, and a lot of hand waving. In Turkey, you won't always find someone who speaks English, but everyone is very well-meaning and in the end, we find ways to understand each other…or at least think we understood each other.

What resources or networks helped you adapt?

Colleagues first and foremost, who help with everything necessary. Also, the global network of Royal Canin and the many resources we have access to. As part of Mars and a common office, there are also other colleagues who have gone through the same path, even though it turned out that everyone has very different predicaments and situations.

What are the main differences between the work culture in your current country and that in Bulgaria?

I really love approaching cultural differences and ways of working scientifically and based on data and facts, and therefore I use the website of The Culture Factor. From there we can see that the differences between both countries are not that significant. One of the main differences I observe is that the speed of execution in Turkey is significantly lower, but in return, the quality is often at a high level, mainly in the private sector.

 

Source: https://www.theculturefactor.com/country-comparison-tool?countries=bulgaria%2Cturkey

What values and workplace practices impressed you the most?

Hospitality – no meeting starts without something to drink, most often tea. And the fact that hierarchy is important, but respect goes both up and down. Also, people here are not afraid of changes and are willing to do things differently.

Have there been situations where cultural differences have challenged you?

I wouldn't say challenged, rather they create opportunities for fun moments and experiences. In the corporate environment, as well as outside of it, people are interested in different customs and are eager to learn something new.

How does finding work differ in your current country compared to your homeland?
In my case – internal transfer, which is a common practice in the company, developing the team. But overall, personal connections and recommendations are very important and we encourage our employees to recommend candidates for positions. This practice is applied in every country.

Did you have to go through any additional qualification courses?

No, but many new skills are learned on the go – including how to deal with different time zones in one day and communication in different languages and cultures. And the process of development and learning never stops. We constantly have access to mandatory and recommended training and seminars.

Have you faced prejudices or obstacles because of your foreign origin?

More curiosity than obstacles. In Israel, there were greater differences and everyone wants to know what it’s like to be Bulgarian and what our food is like, but many also respect us for our history and actions from World War II. In Turkey, when they hear that I am from Bulgaria, they simply say "komshu", smile, and it’s as if that answers all questions.

What would you advise people who want to take a similar step?

Do it – you won’t be fully ready, but that’s the charm. Surprises are part of the package, as is personal growth, but also a great deal of flexibility and willingness to compromise on personal preferences and habits and to accept new ones.

If you could turn back, would you choose the same path?

Yes. Even just for the people, sights, and stories that I can now share. After all, they also come at a price, which is paid, and one cannot always be ready for that, but with positivity and open views, one can get through everything.

What do you miss the most from your homeland in professional and personal terms?

Most of all, I miss the people – everything else takes a back seat. Friends, relatives, as well as the team in the BG office, for example. I often have to call someone in Bulgaria just to share experiences and stories and to encourage each other.

Have you considered returning and under what conditions would you do it?

Yes, life is a long marathon. I would return if there is an opportunity that inspires me and allows me to add value.

What do you think about money? What is its influence on your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money is like Wi-Fi – it’s not everything, but without it, it gets difficult. I’m not chasing wealth, but sustainability and freedom. My advice: Money should not be a goal, it is a consequence.