Eagles are among the bird species with the longest lifespans, which can extend up to 70 years. However, these powerful birds face a significant challenge in their 40s. When they reach this age, the feathers that have served them for many years start to harden and get stuck on their wings, their powerful beaks elongate and curve towards their bodies, and their talons harden, losing their flexibility. Flying and hunting with these physical features becomes almost impossible for these predatory birds. At this point, the eagle has to choose one of two paths. It will either remain in this state and choose death, or endure the pains of rebirth. At this moment, the eagle flies to the top of a mountain and builds a nest on a hard rock wall. What follows is interesting. First, it breaks its beak by hitting it against the rocks. When a new beak grows in place of the broken one, it then uses its new and powerful beak to pull out its own talons. Once the new talons grow, it starts using them to shed its hardened old feathers. After about five months, it is ready for a rebirth flight, equipped with new feathers, a strong beak, and agile talons, which will sustain it for the remaining twenty years of its life.
Whether this metaphor is a legend or reality is debatable; however, what concerns us is undoubtedly the pains of change and the processes that follow. One known truth is that change and renewal are inevitable realities for all living beings and life. The continuous cycle of creation, seasons, time, the world, and humans always revolves around this concept. When we look around us, there is no living or non-living entity that remains unchanged, untransformed, or resistant to change. Therefore, avoiding and turning away from this authenticity that embraces all this cosmography is contrary to the rules of nature and the universe. As individuals who are sensitive to business and the region, we must always fulfill the requirements of the era in all areas and ensure the continuous nature of the concept of change. Especially, our companies should make maximum effort and precision in adapting to this change in terms of target markets, product range, management philosophy, and competitive strategies. Otherwise, it is evident that we have no choice but to go through the processes that the eagle with dulled beak and talons experiences. Even though painful, facing difficulties, we should never give up on change and always set new goals in front of us.
As business owners located in the heart of an open-air trade/tourism center like Laleli, where vibrancy and currency are at the highest level, we have undoubtedly been witnessing this reality for decades. Changing and evolving markets and buyer profiles have repeatedly shouted to us that all these processes are transient and have personally made us experience them. We must always be prepared for any kind of risk and possibilities, and we must always keep our B and C plans ready. We should standardize our products, service quality, and presentation on a global scale and constantly aim to achieve maximum customer satisfaction. As the world shrinks and competition structures toughen, competitors increase. Therefore, we must carry the experiences of the past in our pocket and reach out to the future with new perspectives. The aftermath will herald beautiful days that sprinkle hope crumbs on our future, leading us to new and fruitful paths. As long as we can make the lasting and continuous transformation of Laleli, which has been exemplary to many institutions and organizations in recent years, felt in every corner of the region.
With these wishes, I greet you, hoping for the bright, happy, peaceful, and peaceful tomorrows of our region, which is dragged into the future with pains, wars, ups and downs, and turmoil.
Giyasettin Eyyüpkoca.
