Business Diplomat: Practice and Awareness

How should a young person be trained as a business diplomat? Prof. Dr. Mehmet Evkuran’s short answers add up to a clear picture. In this part of its interview series, Business Diplomat presents it.

First observation: potential and awareness
“Our young people who want to give meaning, direction and value to their own lives are a great potential. If awareness is created in them, the project will be more effective.”
The starting point is motivation. Evkuran sees young people searching for meaning and direction as a resource. The task is to awaken awareness; the programme then builds on it.

Second observation: a practical model
On closing the gap in face-to-face skill, he answers: “Theoretical and practical training content should be prepared. Programmes should be created that include mock business meetings, tough bargaining techniques and personal presentations.” The three practical elements are rehearsal, hard negotiation and self-presentation. Each requires doing, not only reading.

Third observation: the content
For a certificate programme, he proposes: “Content covering economics, culture, renewal and security should be prepared.” The four fields reflect his broader approach: the business diplomat should understand economics and culture, the need for renewal, and security.

Fourth observation: regional awareness
Elsewhere in his answers, Evkuran advises working not only on economic goals but on “national and regional sensitivities,” following global and regional developments closely, and making “friends from different countries of the Turkic world.” Training thus includes relationships, not only subjects.

The logic of the assessment
Motivated young people are the foundation. Practice is the method, theory the support, and the curriculum spans economics, culture, renewal and security. Friendships across the region give the training its human dimension.

The role of Business Diplomat
The platform’s mission is to give young people experience, bring a diplomatic order to the business world, and benefit states by revitalising the economy. Evkuran’s model is concrete enough to become a programme: rehearsals, negotiation exercises and presentations. Business Diplomat can use it as a starting point.

Conclusion
Business diplomats are trained by awakening awareness, practising real situations and learning across economics, culture, renewal and security. Business Diplomat aims to offer that training.