Bilkent Graduate and A-101 CEO Erhan Bostan Speaks to IE Students
On February 25, Erhan Bostan (IE '91), CEO of the A-101 supermarket chain, shared his career experiences with Industrial Engineering students in the context of the IE 496 seminar for senior students.
Mr. Bostan started his career at Raks Group and later held the position of president at Vestel Dış Ticaret for seven years. His business experience has ranged from manufacturing to sales. As CEO of A- 101, he heads an organization that comprises about 2,000 stores around Turkey.
During his presentation, Mr. Bostan talked about the business world and his experiences in it. He emphasized the importance of being able to know your own abilities, the environment you live in and the needs of society. He also pointed out that being target-oriented and staying one step ahead of the competition is essential.
In terms of students' preparation for their future careers, Mr. Bostan said that internships and senior projects are of vital importance for aspiring industrial engineers. The question and answer part of the discussion lasted for approximately two hours and drew keen attention from those in attendance.