BRAX: Dear Özlem, nice seeing you again here in Istanbul. Please tell us a little bit about you and your role at Abiteks.
Özlem: A warm welcome or as we say in Turkish: Hoş geldiniz! Abiteks offers services to foreign companies in Turkey since 1986, and is a leading company of sustainability in Turkey. We give support about transparency in supply chain, social compliance and ecological issues. Brax is our long term partner. I have been working at Abiteks for about 6 years as a social compliance specialist. I’m a graduated engineer with a Master in Business Administration.
Before I started working in fashion, I was a Quality System Engineer in automotive industry and later worked as a lead auditor for social compliance schemes such as BSCI and also for technical audits. In my current role I function as the linking partner between our customers, like BRAX, and our producers. My main tasks are to support our producers with all topics regarding social compliance, environmental compliance and sustainability.
Before I started working in fashion, I was a Quality System Engineer in automotive industry and later worked as a lead auditor for social compliance schemes such as BSCI and also for technical audits. In my current role I function as the linking partner between our customers, like BRAX, and our producers. My main tasks are to support our producers with all topics regarding social compliance, environmental compliance and sustainability.
BRAX: What do you like most about your job?
Özlem: Many things (laughs). I’m a very active and energetic person. I can’t sit still in the office all day. That is why I started studying engineering at first, because I was interested in production processes. Today what makes me especially happy is when I can help others, for example on how to improve their social standards and meet customer requirements. Customer satisfaction is very important for us. I also enjoy that while pre-auditing our producers I meet different people, see different facilities and processes and continuously can learn something new.
BRAX: What is special about the producers you work with?
Özlem: As I said, I’ve been working at Abiteks for quite some time now and during that time I have meet many people and producers who are willing and motivated to change the business for the better. Nobody is perfect but it is about the commitment of the management to drive positive change. Some of the producers already knew me when I was an auditor and now they are happy to see me again supporting them with audit preparations and following up corrective actions. We have developed a trusting and balanced business relationship with them over the years.
BRAX: What is special about the producers you work with?
Özlem: As I said, I’ve been working at Abiteks for quite some time now and during that time I have meet many people and producers who are willing and motivated to change the business for the better. Nobody is perfect but it is about the commitment of the management to drive positive change. Some of the producers already knew me when I was an auditor and now they are happy to see me again supporting them with audit preparations and following up corrective actions. We have developed a trusting and balanced business relationship with them over the years.
BRAX: How has the fashion industry changed for the better in the past few years?
Özlem: When I started working as an auditor, some of the producers – especially smaller ones with workforce of only 15 to 25 employees – were starting from the very beginning to implement social standards. During the last years they were getting better and better and I can honestly say that they have come a long way here in Istanbul and overall in Turkey. Nearly all big producers have their own social and environmental compliance specialist onsite these days. They also have developed a great expertise regarding sustainability, and they continue to have high quality standards and a great desire to fulfill customer satisfaction which has a positive impact on the production of course.
BRAX: Talking about Turkey and especially Istanbul. What is your favorite spot in the city?
Özlem: I lived my whole life in Istanbul and I can’t imagine moving somewhere where I don’t have any access to the sea. I love the Bosphorus, it is beyond beautiful both day and night and I love swimming. For centuries Istanbul has been the cultural capital of Turkey and a very cosmopolitan city. You can find lots of historical places, museums and palaces here. At the same time you can discover art exhibitions, music and endless good restaurants. I have a sweet spot for Turkish dessert like Baklava, Cheesecake, Turkish Delights… The list can go on forever (laughs). Anyway, my favorite spot would is definitely anywhere near the Bosphorus.
BRAX: Talking about Turkey and especially Istanbul. What is your favorite spot in the city?
Özlem: I lived my whole life in Istanbul and I can’t imagine moving somewhere where I don’t have any access to the sea. I love the Bosphorus, it is beyond beautiful both day and night and I love swimming. For centuries Istanbul has been the cultural capital of Turkey and a very cosmopolitan city. You can find lots of historical places, museums and palaces here. At the same time you can discover art exhibitions, music and endless good restaurants. I have a sweet spot for Turkish dessert like Baklava, Cheesecake, Turkish Delights… The list can go on forever (laughs). Anyway, my favorite spot would is definitely anywhere near the Bosphorus.
BRAX: What would you recommend anyone who wants to visit Istanbul to try out and see?
Özlem: Go and see the Bosphorus (laughs), ideally by boat. We have a long and beautiful coastline both on the Asian and European side. Go out and eat a good Turkish meal in a restaurant by the seaside. Walk around historical places like Sultanahmet and breathe the historical importance of these places. Shop Turkish specialties at the Grand Bazar, go on top of the Galata Tower or just stroll through the beautiful streets (discover Istanbul by foot!) and have a good Turkish tea or coffee in one of the many sophisticated cafes. Also, plan at least a week or even better ten days for your sightseeing trip. Istanbul truly is a grand city.
BRAX: Dear Özlem, teşekkür ederim or as we say: thank you very much!
