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BISAM at its 5th anniversary - Young but mature
YOUNG BUT NOT IMMATUREA WELL-KNOWN BISAM CENTRAL ASIA RESEARCH COMPANY (THE FORMER BILESIM INTERNATIONAL KAZAKHSTAN) GIVING THE INTERVIEW TIMED TO ITS 5TH ANNIVERSARYCenter of Business Information, Social and Marketing Research BISAM Central Asia is one of the leading companies in the sphere of marketing and social research in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Its fifth anniversary that was celebrated on February 12th, 2002 was a significant event in the community of marketing professionals. Therefore, our editorial staff decided to react to this anniversary in a due way. We have interviewed Professor Leonid Gurevich, the General Director of the company, and also asked some clients and partners of BISAM to express their opinion regarding the company's activities. Our correspondent is interviewing Professor Leonid Gurevich, General Director of Center of Business Information, Social and Marketing Research BISAM Central Asia. Correspondent: Leonid Yakovlevich, in the circle of marketing professionals they so got used to the former and also to the new name of your company that it is even unbelievable that you are only five. L.G.: If we take into consideration that the market economy of Kazakhstan is only 10 years old the age of our company will not seem so young. However, the company was not created without any basis. The backbone of the collective was contributed by experienced researchers who were well known due to their various projects to the marketing professionals of Kazakhstan, Russia and many other foreign countries. Correspondent: Why have you recently changed the company name? L.G.: Indeed, on September 6th, 2001 Bilesim International Kazakhstan became BISAM Central Asia. The name change is related to the change of the company status. The joint venture became a Kazakhstani enterprise. First, the top managers of the famous Turkish Company Bilesim International were some of the founders of our company. They were represented there as individuals. Therefore, we have never been a Turkish Company. Therefore, only the Kazakhstani managers and personnel always worked there. The partnership with our Turkish colleagues who have a rich experience and broad international connections helped us to learn innovative research technologies and to offer high standards of research quality. However, after we achieved our current level and got specific interest areas it became high time to change the organizational character of relationships with our Turkish partners. Today only the company's managers and specialists are its founders. The company is completely independent in both organizational and financial terms. Independence in marketing and social research is an important constituent of objectivity. Correspondent: In the Soviet times there was a good tradition to celebrate an anniversary with new achievements. Is there anything for BISAM Central Asia to boast with? L. G.: It is necessary to keep good traditions. Indeed, we have prepared "labour gifts" for the anniversary. However, taking into consideration the reality of the market economy these gifts are new opportunities for our current and future clients and of course we prepared them not due to "the plan of anniversary activities" but in accordance with our development strategy. First of all, now our "geographical" opportunities completely correspond to our name. We have a research base in all the states of Central Asia including Tajikistan and Turkmenistan where as you know there are certain difficulties for conducting research projects. We have experience in studying such markets as the telecommunications market, Internet and banking services. Our main strategic goal is to make our studies more comprehensive. Today we can offer a full spectrum of research methodologies, which define and prepare transition to different types and stages of a marketing strategy. In September after the Rome Congress of ESOMAR we developed a new conception for development. Its main point is a transition to a long-term partnership with a Client, to systematic diagnosis and collective search for decisions for solving Client's problems. Today we already have organizations for which we do market monitoring, i.e. with the help of specific methodologies we track company position, supply data and help them make decisions on a regular basis. Correspondent: In conclusion I would like to ask you a traditional question. What are your plans for the future? L. G.: We have many plans related to extending the spectrum of our research services and acquiring new technologies. I would not like to tire readers with discussing them. I will talk about the main idea. Our main objective is to radically increase the share of local and first of all small- and medium-scale enterprises among our clients and partners. We have encouraging conditions and a discounts system for research ordered by small- and medium-scale businesses. Correspondent: So, I would like to wish your company many more anniversaries. L. G.: I think that the best way to support your wishes is to promise you that our company will be a constant author for your journal. | |||||||||
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