Hi, I’m Syelynn from Bukit Vista Human Resource team. You may see me writing other blog posts or articles regarding our company culture or stories from our employees here in the company. This time, I’d like to bring up one of our inspirational speakers from our most recent All Hands meeting.
On October 3, 2023, our team were privileged to gain insights from Burcu Atay Sahin, Customer Experience Lead of APEC and EMEA at TikTok. Her remarkable journey from a local newspaper intern to a renowned expert in the digital marketing industry served as an inspiration to all present in the meeting.
Burcu’s journey began in a traditional corporate organization, Inci Holding, where she was tasked with digitalizing the company’s operations. This experience laid the foundation for her future endeavors. Pursuing her master’s in communications in London, she further honed her skills by working at a management consultancy company, Kinetik Solutions, focusing on digital operations.
Upon returning to Turkey, Burcu joined a small startup called Adphorus, where she played a pivotal role in the company’s growth. Adphorus’ strategic decision to focus on the travel industry proved to be a game-changer, allowing them to outmaneuver their competitors and expand their client base significantly.
Burcu’s journey wasn’t without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic heavily impacted the travel industry, leading to Adphorus’s acquisition by Sojern. Eventually, she found her way to Smartly.io, which provided stability but required her to relocate to Berlin temporarily. Her determination and expertise led her back to Singapore, where she eventually landed a role at TikTok.
Burcu emphasized the importance of understanding one’s audience in the travel industry. Visual appeal and a deep understanding of customer segments form the basis of effective advertising. She highlighted the significance of continuous learning and A/B testing in optimizing customer experiences at every stage of the sales funnel.
In this engaging conversation, the transition from being a novice to a leader in the field of digital marketing is explored. The discussion revolves around the journey of Burcu Atay Sahin, who began as an intern at a local newspaper in her hometown. She exemplifies the philosophy that no role is too small, sharing her experience of starting with tasks like fetching faxes and gradually assuming more responsibilities, even covering for a colleague on maternity leave. Burcu’s path to leadership was marked by a dedication to learning from her mentors and seizing opportunities to absorb knowledge and experience. Her story emphasizes the importance of humility, adaptability, and a continuous thirst for learning in one’s professional growth.
Burcu Atay Sahin’s journey from a local intern to a global expert serves as a testament to the power of continuous learning, adaptability, and a customer-centric approach. Her story resonates as a beacon of inspiration for professionals navigating the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, reminding us of the importance of humility, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in the field.
If you’re eager to delve deeper into her incredible journey and glean even more insights from her expertise, we invite you to watch the full video of Burcu’s inspiring presentation on our YouTube channel. Discover the invaluable lessons she shares and be inspired by her remarkable ascent in the dynamic world of digital marketing. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from one of the industry’s brightest minds!