Natalia Kurkchi, Antal Kazakhstan Managing Director
Natalia Kurkchi received an economic and banking education in the Russian Economic Academy n.a. Plekhanov and graduated from the Academy of National Economy under the Government of Russian Federation in Moscow and Middlesex University in London. Having an experience of working for a retail chain , Natalia moved from the position of head of sales within the a company selling office equipment. Natalia joined Antal Russia as a recruitment consultant and within 3 years she was promoted to Partner and led the successful development of the Banking and Finance recruitment department. In 2009 Natalia headed the project of expansion in Kazakhstan and in July 2010 opened and managed our representation in Kazakhstan.
“I was always interested to work on developing markets. The launching Antal Kazakhstan office from the scratch is an excellent opportunity to move to a new level in career”, says Natalia Kurkchi.
What do you consider the main success of your current business? What did help to achieve it?
The great result is to open an office in Kazakhstan. We have been cooperating with companies working on this market for a long time, but now we more actively develop our business there. I had an idea to open an office and persuaded company management that it is worth doing and that I amj ready and want to make it happen. I presented this idea to the board of directors on the Group level and now I have launched and headed Antal Kazakhstan.
This result have been achieved thanks to the opportunity to take independent decisions, thanks to understanding that it depends on you and you are ready to take this responsibility. (Though not always everything depends only on you, you have to approve some things with higher management). You are not waiting until somebody offers you new opportunities and will take a decision for you. You want to build a career? Build it! You don’t like anything and want to try something different? Suggest! “I don’t like it. Offer me something else” – is not an approach which works.
I am sure that the launch of representation in Kazakhstan is a great achievement, though there is a lot of things to do. But how many people make up their mind to open a regional representation in a downturn time? It can be frightening some times, but you have to do business and you won’t have time for fear.
What would you like to say to people who want to become managers?
If the person wants to become good manager, wants to be respected and want his or her subordinates to complete given tasks, he or she has to look back on own experience say: “I have done everything correctly”. Of course we are not ideal and we make mistakes (sometimes really stupid mistakes), but this phrase means that you corrected your mistakes, stepped over your fears. If you would like to become a manager you should watch yourself from aside. You should estimate each of your steps, think over each word and a way as you say it, how you deliver the information to your subordinates. Do your high quality job. It can sound obvious, but it is really important. Your subordinates should know that they report to you because you do your job right. People don’t like fool bosses.
What mistakes did you make and what lessons did you learn from them?
I made the same mistakes as the majority of managers. I am not sure is it good or bad, but I didn’t have a chance to build the career gradually. My career was spasmodic, quick and impetuous. People of my age who grew professionally on the booming market had to step or even jump over several career steps. You has to catch the opportunity quickly and then think weather you can do it or not. And if yiu took the opportunity you could not step back. In this circumstances you make inevitable mistakes. Usually your subordinates could be more professional and experienced then you and it could lead to the conflict situation. When you have bigger experience you solve such issues these in a different way.
What basic rules and principles are helped you to move forward?
Don’t wait for a help. Count on yourself only. To divide professional and personal with the big firm wall. Don’t trust to verbal agreements – trust only documents signed and stamped. You should not think that this client is your good friend we drank beer last week and he will pay for sure. You can’t rely on this and you get this lessons on very painful mistakes. And I am not an exclusion.
One more principle which referes to business is to play according to rules. It is important to me that I have followed the rules both business and ethical ones. I am not an angel, but I can tell for sure that I am not a shamed for my actions.
What plans do you have?
I am interested in management career only. I expect to stay with Antal Russia for many years. And there are different reasons. This company gave me a lot and all the time rewarded all the efforts I made. I am interested in business development in regions, outside Moscow. Kazakhstan is the first experience. I am interested in opening, launching, creation. Will see what will happen in the future, but it is what gives me a lot of energy for future success!