Tugba Basaran, Prometeon Tyre Group | Women Breaking the Mold 2023

Growing requires a little bit of courage. Sometimes, a whole lot of courage.

Because to grow, you have to be brave enough to try something new. You have to ask questions, ask for help and go out of your way to discover new things.

A lot of Tugba Basaran's success is rooted in that kind of courage. It is, after all, that kind of courage that pushed her to take a chance on a job with Prometeon Tyre Group S.R.L. in the first place.

"It was completely a chance for me," Basaran said. "I started working at Prometeon with the energy I got from the team during the interviews. (I was drawn to) the fact that it is corporate, well-established, an international company and, most importantly, the eagerness to learn new things."

Ultimately, it is that kind of courage that allowed her to thrive.

Basaran began her career in the IT department at Prometeon and worked her way into the sales systems, trade marketing, brand and communications, digital marketing and customer services roles. Those are opportunities she earned, in part, because of her passion for learning.

"I am a person who loves to learn," said Basaran, who today is the brand, communication, trade and sales operations manager at Prometeon Turkey. "I like to learn new things and always (try to) be open to new responsibilities. And I think the fact that I have been offered different roles over the years is the most important indicator of this."

Earning an opportunity is one thing, but seizing it is another. At Prometeon, Basaran has done exactly that, simply my leaning on her strengths and using them to see potential through new perspectives.

Her goal, she said, has always been to streamline operations and find new and innovative ways to move the company forward. Her work on dealer initiatives is proof.

"We started by designing a system for our dealers, which is the most important extension of the sales operation, where we can track stock and sales with an automation system project," Basaran said. "I think that working with the sales team and dealers during the training and improvement stages of the application contributed to my communication."

Her passion and willingness to learn not only allowed her to expand her career opportunities, it helped her to break through some glass ceilings at the company.

She was the first female, she said, to work in the Prometeon Marketing Department. Working in a department with all male colleagues hasn't been the challenge that you might expect. Basaran is comfortable.

"Honestly, I wouldn't say I had a hard time because I grew up in a male-dominated family," she said. "I played basketball and football, male-dominated sports. The department I studied at university, computer engineering, was also a male-dominated department."

Basaran emphasized that while it is important to recognize the accomplishments of women, it is just as critical, she said, to understand and recognize the ways in which men are working to break down those stereotypical roles, championing women along the way.

One of her greatest role models, after all, is a man who did just that—her father.

Because it was her parents who instilled in her the kind of strength and courage that allows her to thrive today.

"Despite their limited education, they have always been role models for me by trying to be the best at their jobs and never giving up and finding a solution no matter what the problem is," Basaran said.

Years with company: 16
Years in rubber industry: 16

Actually, my work does not challenge me. I believe that work done with love comes easy to people. I think the real challenge is to find a teammate to work with. After that, it's easy. Good team, good delegation. Great result.

The business world, the economic conjuncture we are in, the competition is challenging enough. With the support of our leaders, we manage this by anticipating, making the right plan, thinking innovatively, doing the best of what we do, and putting forward the best practice.

What I do is to ask why we are doing it this way, can't we do it differently? I am not a status quo-ist. I like to try new ways, but in doing so, I put my hand under the stone with everyone else.

I think a leader is fair, inspires, is always there for his team, offers support. He doesn't tell the solution directly, he lets them find it themselves. He foresees mistakes, takes precautions accordingly and tolerates the minimum amount of mistakes that occur, showing them as a competence that needs to be developed. In short, it gives direction and raises new leaders in its place. This is my understanding and expectation of leadership.

The appreciation of effort and fair approach in business life is unfortunately not a situation encountered in every sector. Especially in an industry where hard work is valued, I think being together with agile and fair leaders and being able to lead with these character traits is the most attractive aspect of the industry.

I didn't speak my mind for a very long time, and now I see that that was very wrong. You should always speak your mind, even if it's wrong, and stand by your opinion, even if it's the right one. But you should not fall in love with your opinion.

Like brands, people need to question love mark vs. trust mark. First trust, then love. And honesty and integrity are the most important things for trust.

First of all, communication is very important to me, and I know that good communication starts with listening. I always listen first. I try to convey my views with an accurate and clear message, clearly stating the cause and effect relationship.

I believed that I was not fluent in English and considered it a failure, but now I am trying to improve myself through various programs. I know that I will be rewarded for my efforts.