The panel, organized at EGİFED headquarters with the vision of family sustainability and institutionalization, shed light on the intergenerational transformation journey of the business world in Manisa.
The “Transfer and Institutionalization Process in Family Businesses Between Generations” panel, organized in collaboration with the Aegean Young Businessmen’s Association Federation (EGİFED), TAIDER Family Business Association and Manisa Young Businessmen’s Association (MAGİAD), focused on the sustainability of families and institutionalization, was held intensively at Manisa The 45 Hotel. With the contributions of experts in the field and the heart of the business world, the event took place on the intergenerational success journey of family members.
The opening speeches of the panel were made by Serdar Bozyaka, Chairman of the Board of Directors of MAGİAD, Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of EGİFED and Fatma Olten, Chairman of the Board of Directors of TAİDER Family Business Association. The speeches drew attention to the critical role of institutionalization in ensuring longevity of family members and their continuous adaptation to global conditions. The chairmen drew attention to the fact that not only intra-company transformation but also inter-regional cooperation and solidarity are constantly ongoing for sustainable success. The necessity of leaving solid foundations for future generations was emphasized with the dimension of common sense and common vision.
You Should Not Leave Solid Foundations to Future Generations
Speaking at the opening as the owner of the panel, Manisa Young Business People Association (MAGİAD) Board Chairman Serdar Bozyaka drew attention to the importance of businesses established both locally and regionally. Bozyaka stated that he was proud to host such an event in Manisa and said, “As Manisa Young Business People Association, we have increased the number of family friends building not only today but also tomorrow. The intergenerational knowledge dissemination, preservation of values and development of institutional infrastructure of this building process are of vital importance. This meaningful meeting we have experienced together with EGİFED and TAİDER is not just a panel; it is also a strong presence of common vision, collective intelligence and regional solidarity. Manisa emerges with a natural attraction center for such collaborations with its production power, history and entrepreneurial spirit. We think we have a lot to learn from each other while building the future.”
Those Who Want to Catch the Future Must Renew Themselves Today
One of the most striking speeches in the panel was made by Alp Avni Yelkenbiçer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Aegean Young Businessmen Associations Federation (EGİFED). Yelkenbiçer expressed his pleasure in traveling together with the business world of a highly productive and determined industrial city like Manisa. Emphasizing that such civil society meetings have a convener in terms of not only sharing information but also developing regional cooperation and enabling experience transfer, it was drawn that what is needed in the life of family members for sustainability is not only durable but also a cultural transformation. Yelkenbiçer said, “Institutionalization is not just a management model; it is a communication change. Integrating values into the institution, making decision-making transparent and supporting new generation foundations are the basic components of these parts. The key to sustainable success in all families is to consider it as a cultural and permanent whole. Institutionalization is not just the management style of the company;
Noting that dynamics such as digitalization and green transformation globally produce stronger and more inclusive results when families meet with the growth of new generations, Yelkenbiçer stated that as EGİFED, they aim to offer young business people a vision area where they can shape not only the present but also the future.
He concluded his remarks by expressing his belief that the panel would provide both inspiration and guidance by shedding light on the transitions between generations in family relationships.
Family Businesses Are the Most Important Factor in the Economy
TAIDER Family Business Association Board Chair Fatma Olten drew attention to the fact that families are not only an economic system but also a social foundation. Olten, who said, “Family businesses are not only the managers of production and manufacturing, but also of cultural values, trust and sustainability,” conveyed the activities they carry out with this awareness as TAIDER. Olten, who stated that they have supported healthy transitions between generations to ensure long-lasting family relationships since their establishment and that they have organized events based on sharing information and experience throughout Turkey in order to spread the culture of institutionalization, said, “One of our goals is to encourage a management approach that will increase not only external competitive power but also internal peace.” Olten, who also touched on the importance of meeting business people from different organizations under the same roof in a city with a strong industrial foundation like Manisa, said, “We believe in one truth: Sustainability in business is not possible without unity in the family. Therefore, this panel is not only about sharing information; it is also about finding that inspiring and continuously creative learning takes place.”
The panel was moderated by EGİFED Advisory Board President and TAİDER Board Member Aydın Buğra İlter. The panel also included İnci Vakfı Güç Kaynak and TAİDER Member Ece Elbirlik Ürkmez, Sarıgözoğlu Board Vice President and TAİDER Board Member Levent Sarıgözoğlu and METYX – Telateks CEO and TAİDER Member Besim Uğur Üstünel.
During the panel, three successful family businesses were candidly shared about their institutionalization journeys and the challenges they faced in these situations. Critical stories such as changes in intergenerational management transfer, family dynamics, how leadership transitions are structured and how they are prepared for the future were discussed through real experiences.
Participants left the panel with both inspiring and applicable information, with the importance of institutionalization and communication between generations being particularly emphasized.
