İlhan Sipahi the General Manager of Doğuş Retailing is responsible from the all process of export of mainly jewellery and watches. We have chosen him to interview with since he is familiar with the information technologies and by the help of it they have designed the organization and its running. Integration with all the departments have enabled him to see the real impacts of it in terms of productivity, marketing and sales.

What do you think about information technologies? Does it affect the working environment?

In today’s globalization and competitive world, accommodating yourself to change and innovation and trying to create sustainable models have to consider the recent technological developments. One way of catching the day and even beyond that is information technologies. It is used for economic progress and to adopt to social environment. In all areas and processes of working life we use information technologies. Employees knowing how to adopt and use IT can show up themselves both in the organization and outside the organization by their efficient works.

Does IT affect productivity? How?

IT affects productivity in all areas positively, especially it can be measured easily and fastly in service sector. With this help even process of industrial production which requires great human labor effort can be done by information technologies.

How you approach or view the development of information technologies?

Technologic developments and innovations have followed industrial revolution. In point of fact, calling this as a revolution would be better instead of calling as development. With a summary information technologies have penetrated to all people in some extend. This developing have been continuing since today and continuing with increasing acceleration as well. Probably the fastest response occurred in technology sector is in IT.

Does IT affect marketing and sales? How?

The innovations on IT, affect and causes the organization’s changeover. It also provides the opportunity of offering services and products, helps finding new markets and customers and increasing efficiency. Moreover, in the digitalization world, during the marketing facilities it helps resource management and measuring the effects of it. Therefore, it supports the departments to utilize their sales and marketing budgets effectively.

Do you use information technologies for controlling your job?

Yes. Especially ERP infrastructure and the reporting system in that really helps our working environment. And also I save time with this help. 

Can employees control you with IT?

Yes, of course. But actually I do not like the words like controlling or following. I pay attention to use efficiency and sustainability instead of those words. And hope to see the positive effects of them.

How do you approach the future of information technologies? Will it take over many employees?
It must adapt to the rapid change and continuous improvement caused by business marketing and competition. If you’re going to survive in the future, we respond it. We’re trying to get more information on this. Since it opens up new jobs, it replaces employees rather than causing unemployment.

Do information technologies benefit you? What are these benefits?

Communication between people and information technologies has accelerated. Information spread faster and thus a great speed has started in human life. Nowadays, we can reach the information we want instantly, we can manage our transactions in a short time by connecting with the people in a very short time. This has led to the development of trade, the revival of the economy and the globalization of the world. As a result, it provides numerous benefits to me and all managers in business life like me.

Does your company invest in information technologies?

Yes, we are investing. We always follow current technologies and use technologies that are tailored to our needs. At this stage, we get support from our group in the technology group.

Do you receive positive returns in these investments?

Thanks to these investments, we are adapting to changes and innovations. We always get positive returns from our internal and external stakeholders by making our investments come to the forefront with these investments.

To what extent can IT management practices improve the overall level of IT business value?

It can be developed to provide high performance in decision-making and business value creation in the management of information technologies.

Do managers like you have different goals for this?

Managers in the pre-goals of profit, endorsement figures such as turnover takes the first place. All managers form their strategies on the basis of these. However, in the new business environment it is no longer enough to set up a target based solely on them. Companies should make these targets with information technologies to set concrete targets including areas such as employees, customers, brand value, reputation management, social responsibility, business partners.

To what extent can the relationship between the company and customers increase? What do you think about the business value increases?

There is no doubt that the relationship between the company and its customers has positively increased in the communication field. Through communication, the company improves performance indicators and increases the customer satisfaction by helping the production of value-added services.

Do you think company’s success can be measured in terms of IT management? To what degree?

Of course it can be measured. Success can only be achieved with employees. Targets can be determined according to the results of the survey conducted with the satisfaction survey. Areas open to development are identified and necessary arrangements are made. It continues continuously with a never ending vicious cycle  

We appreciate for your time and sharing your knowledge with us and accepted to be involved and helped for our project.

It is my honour, I would like to thank you as well.