Karmod CEO Mehmet Cankaya delivers TEDx talk at Ataturk University

​​​​​​​By Masallah Dag

ISTANBUL (AA) - The CEO of Turkish manufacturer, Karmod, delivered a TEDx talk on "International Trade in the Digital World" at Ataturk University in eastern Türkiye.

Karmod said Mehmet Cankaya emphasized the transformative effect of digital technologies on marketing practices in his talk, "Self-Realization," which was uploaded to the TEDx YouTube channel.

Highlighting the importance of marketing in trade, Cankaya said: "No matter how good your production is, without effective marketing, success is unattainable. Today, the most effective form of marketing is through digital channels. The use of corporate websites and digital platforms has become essential."

Cankaya detailed Karmod’s digital transformation journey.

"Founded in 1986, our export momentum significantly increased in 2002 when we launched our first website in Turkish, English, French, Russian, and Arabic. By 2008, we had expanded our exports to 60 countries. The real breakthrough came when we launched our website in 43 languages, targeting specific countries with domains in languages such as Bulgarian, Romanian, Malay, and Indonesian. Today, our website attracts 15,000 visitors daily, and we now export to 140 countries," he said.

Cankaya pointed out that managing increasing customer inquiries has been a crucial aspect of digital marketing success.

"As our daily website visitors reached 15,000, we had to upgrade our call system. We introduced AI-driven software to handle inquiries efficiently. This allows us to analyze requests accurately and respond promptly, ensuring optimal service," he said.

Reflecting on the company’s journey, Cankaya credited the foundational role of his father’s workshop and mentorship:

"My father left us a small workshop, which was a valuable starting point. In the early years, his encouragement greatly contributed to our growth. What started as a 300-square-meter workshop has now transformed into a 30,000-square-meter production facility. Having your family’s support is vital. To young professionals, I’d also advise starting the day early—morning productivity lays the foundation for a fruitful day."

Karmod’s journey exemplifies the potential of blending traditional values with digital innovation, showcasing the importance of adaptation in an increasingly interconnected world.