Hande Ocak Basev has been with WSI for five months. She describes the support she has received from WSI’s network of professionals as ‘too good to be true’, and she continues to look at ways that she can make clients’ projects a success. She has young twins and sees the time she spends on her business as ‘me time’. Read and/watch our interview with Hande here:
Tell me a little about yourself, and where you are located?
I moved to London from Turkey about one and a half years ago. Before joining WSI, I ran my own consulting company for 13 years. I am a consultant and entrepreneur. I am a disciplined, results-oriented person with a passion for helping my customers.
I have been a management consultant for over 18 years and also an independent board member for a number of companies and institutions. I am quite collaborative in my approach, and my clients value me for my honesty. I am proud of bringing a humorous, human touch to boring meeting rooms.
I am analytical and I rely on facts and figures to make informed decisions. I try to always maintain a balance between intellectual and emotionally intelligent driven approaches to a project. I am a very proud mom of my twins, Leyla Sir and Ozan Sami, who are 5.5 years old, and I’m a big fan of my husband of 13 years.
I’ve been an entrepreneur for many years and I am familiar with the obstacles that go along with it. Before becoming an entrepreneur, I worked at a global consulting company. This experience enabled me to carefully weigh the pros and cons of being a part of a global network.
WSI’s established brand and methodology, training and support programs, experienced production centers, partnerships with all major global vendors, and main strategy as ‘Invest in Client’s Success -’ which was our strategy for 13 years in my previous company - are the main reasons for me to decide to become a member of WSI family. Upon joining WSI, I met some very inspiring people and I have worked with amazing people. I am proud to be a part of WSI.
What’s the biggest value that you get from WSI?
The people that I met at WSI and being able to work with like-minded individuals with similar values who are striving towards the same goal is the biggest value that I get from WSI.
What job/business were you in before you started your WSI business?
I am a Founding Partner of a global leading neuromarketing company, Thinkneuro, Managing Partner of Quattro Business Consulting, Founding Partner of Buddy Performance – People Analytics and Real Time Feedback Company, Investor in Yeryuzu, Independent Board Member in Mutlu Battery, Board Member of Women on Board Turkey and Board Member of The Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey (KAGIDER).
Tell us about anyone who helped influence you into starting your own business?
My main influencers to start my own business 13 years ago were my customers. They convinced me to start my own business because they believe in my non-conventional approach to doing business. Since they were more experienced than me, I trusted them and thanks to them, this is where I am today.
How long have you been with WSI?
I joined WSI five months ago and completed my QSP training at the end of January 2019.
I wake up at 6:00 am to spend time with my twins. I drop them to school at 8:30 am and work hard until 4:30 pm. After the pick up from the school at 4:30 pm, I spend time with my twins until 8:00 pm when they go to bed. Around this time, the second shift starts and continues until 1:00 am most nights. I don’t like to talk about work-life balance or ‘me time’ since I really enjoy what I am doing. I already consider the time I spend working on my business as ‘me time’.
What highlights have you had since being with WSI?
I will never forget how supportive Yasameen, Trinda, Daniel and Mark have been during the selection process and how patient they remained despite my long questions. I was and I still am very impressed by the methodology, the culture and the system WSI has built over the past 25 years.
In the QSP program, I met with my favourite business coach, Raj. Raj, Kamran, Luana, Nirmal, Jeffrey, Francois and the team proved to me that my positive perception of WSI was true - the WSI network really is too good to be true. With the support, professionalism, motivation and empowerment of them as well as the Production Centers, especially Vineesh whom I see as a partner in my business, Chris and their/our dedicated, experienced, hard-working team, helped me achieve and even exceed my goals.
What are the biggest obstacles that you have faced in running your business and how have overcome them?
I had different obstacles 13 years ago when I started my first company. During this time, the obstacles I faced included gaining experience and team building. With WSI and the experience I gained over the years, I managed to overcome most of these obstacles. In my new journey at WSI, the biggest obstacles I face is being in a new country and trying to build my business from scratch.
What do you think are the best skills that you bring to your business?
I don’t like people complimenting themselves, but based on what my customers say, my skills include discipline, humour, determination and taking on clients’ problems as my personal problems.
What goals do you have for yourself that you want to accomplish in the next year?
Business-wise, I want to strengthen my trusted digital marketing advisor profile. I also want to restart my daily gym routine, spend more time with my friends, travel more and meet new people.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
I don’t see much difference than today except for me acquiring a few wrinkles and more grey hair. I am so happy now and my aim is to keep my positivity going for as long as possible.
What advice would you give a new WSI Internet Consultant?
Stick to the system, stay engaged, don’t sell projects, build relationships instead. Never sell something which you wouldn’t buy and never ever give up!
What would be your personal motto?
Be positive, keep smiling and never give up!
If we went to happy hour, what would you order?
If it’s Friday or Saturday, I would order a whisky sour. If it’s Monday or Tuesday, a Dirty Martini. On other days, I might order something that I never tried before and was suggested to me.
If you could be anywhere other than here talking to me - right this minute, where would you be?
With my mom.
Thank You to Hande for sharing her experiences from running many successful consultancy businesses in Turkey to starting a new digital marketing business in London. I hope you enjoyed it.