\nPlease see the interview with Mariana Morgoshia \u2013 Executive Director of the \u201cGeorgian Manufacturers\u2019 Association\u201d; Deputy Director of \u201cBusiness Association of Georgia\u201d.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
First of all, please tell us about your success story, what stages you went through, what difficulties you faced and what stage you are at now?<\/strong><\/p>\n
I would like to thank you for expressing the interest and inviting me to the interview.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t call my story \u201cSuccess story\u201d as there are more difficulties and challenges to overcome to achieve that point. Self-development, setting new goals and moving forward, despite the \u201cups and downs\u201d, is a constant process that is never enough.<\/p>\n
I am a graduate of the George Washington University School of Business (Project Management), as well as the Caucasus School of Business, London School of Management – DFID, and I have a Bachelor’s Degree in foreign languages \u200b\u200band translation from the Georgian Technical University.<\/p>\n
I have 23 years of working experience in the multidisciplinary, public and private sectors and first steps of my career has been taken in the late 90\u2019s.<\/p>\n
I started in Healthcare sector, then continued in Tbilisi water Company, Banking sector, Construction, IT and there comes the time of my public service:<\/p>\n
First, I became the Acting director, later the director of Agricultural projects\u2019 Management Agency, where I had an opportunity to initiate several programs aimed at private sector development, standards implementation and export promotion.<\/p>\n
Afterwards, I became the director of Enterprise Georgia where along with government supportive programs, we merged Invest in Georgia and created the separate direction for export promotion. Helping SMEs to grow as well as helping new businesses to arise was the main function of the Agency.<\/p>\n
As a director of the Service Agency of Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia I had an excellent opportunity to revise the processes and concentrate on digitalization of public services.<\/p>\n
Public sector is dynamic and attractive in terms of its scale and even minor but important changes (easening the processes) or new projects implementation can have enormous impact.<\/p>\n
At present, I am the Executive Director of the \u201cGeorgian Manufacturers\u2019 Association\u201d as well as Deputy Director of \u201cBusiness Association of Georgia\u201d.<\/p>\n
What was the biggest challenge on your career path, an obstacle that seemed insurmountable at first, but you were able to overcome?<\/strong><\/p>\n
It is hard to outline one obstacle. Challenges are inseparable part of the personal and career life and every time you think you overcome the biggest one, there comes the other, the bigger and louder.<\/p>\n
What is your main motivation to keep moving forward?<\/strong><\/p>\n
The world is so dynamic, the technologies and tendencies change so fast that in case you want to be updated you don\u2019t even have a choice. Having the possibility to conduct the programs and projects that can change the environment and people\u2019s everyday life for the better gives me the inspiration to overcome the most difficult challenges and obstacles along the way.<\/p>\n
As we know you are Deputy CEO at Business Association of Georgia. Tell us more about your company and your current activities there.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Business Association of Georgia is one of the biggest Association operating in Georgia which was established in 2009 by 9 founding members and at the moment there are up to 110 umbrella companies uniting more than 800 large, small and medium size businesses. Association has three main directions: Advocating our members\u2019 common and individual, legitimate business interests; Improving the business environment in Georgia and Networking. BAG has 11 thematic committees which unites almost every sector that is represented locally. I am responsible for Tourism, Healthcare, Agriculture and manufacturing directions and actively involved in the ongoing processes.<\/p>\n
Tell us a few words about your future plans, is there any initiative or project that you are planning to launch?<\/strong><\/p>\n
BAG as well as Georgian Manufacturers\u2019 association participate and conduct different projects themselves and in partnership with partner organizations aimed at improvement of the business environment in Georgia. We work on topics related to environmental protection, gender equality, professional education, different legislative changes that improve the business environment, via different platforms.<\/p>\n
The Business Association conducts quarterly survey \u201cBAG Index\u201d which outlines the current situation and member companies\u2019 perception of business environment. The survey includes employment barometer and investment plans for the next months as well as hindering factors in doing business. According to the results of the research, BAG conducts different events and activities based on the needs of the sector. This is a dynamic and constant process that, along with the member companies\u2019 needs, defines the future plans of the organization. There are different projects in the pipeline that are being approved at the moment.<\/p>\n
Finally, limiting ourselves to the traditional question, what would you advise aspiring professionals and young people who are now taking their first career steps?<\/strong><\/p>\n
Working hard always gives a result even if you don\u2019t succeed for the first time. Listen to yourself and try to find the field in which you feel happy and keep moving towards fulfilling your dreams. Making mistakes is not a reason for disappointment, you gain experience and learn a lot.<\/p>\n
And most importantly, on the way to your success, always try to support people around you!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>