Interview with Adilet Zhumatayev

1. Adilet, introduce yourself in few words I was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan during the last years of the Soviet Union. Raised by a single mother and my grandparents, I had a wonderful childhood. I have gone through a lot of schools, especially due to language changes. By the age of 13, I moved to Belgium not speaking any word of Dutch. However I adapted very fast and Belgium became a big part of my life. Thanks to my mother and my stepfather I always had the best example and big support. A young Kazakh male with a strong desire to succeed and many things to achieve.

2. What skills could you develop in your previous job?

I mainly experienced how big companies work. I worked for a while in Poland, and there I had to fill in a lot of paper and learn to work in a structure. Building relationships with different nationalities and learning how to work as a group with the same goals. Of course it is different, but I just picked up the things I learnt here and there and use them to progress in SMS-Timing.

3. You did not especially study business and now you are doing a good job in the sales department. Why did you look for a job in sales?

Since I was a teenager my stepfather used to tell me "you should study law and you will be a great lawyer". My teachers said I could talk myself out of different situations and convince as none other. Unfortunately, I made different choices and never ended up studying anything related to commercial world. However, I decided lately to go for it because I'm really interested in it. I have to explore and learn a lot.

4. You are originally from Kazakhstan, live in Belgium for 11 years and work in an international company. What do you think you can bring to SMS-Timing B&MI?

I want to help SMS-Timing to reach another level, innovating with new ideas and taking difficult challenges. In this short time I have learned a lot in different criteria and that automatically creates different ideas. That doesn't mean they are all guaranteed success, there are bad and there are good ones. Additionally I have to present SMS-Timing to CIS countries and improve our popularity there.

Adilet with our clients of Kart & Bowling Centrum Emmeloord

5. Please describe the Kazak culture in few words

5. Kazakh people are proud and very hospitable. We have a deep culture that goes back for hundreds of years. Family is very important, keeping in close contact and always helping each other. No matter where you are, never forget your roots!

6. What are your plans until the end of the year?

Well first of all I want to see how the summer will end. I am learning a lot and still have to catch up on a few things. I want to feel more comfortable based on information and experience heading to autumn and winter. But I am definitely excited to sell and get that first signature.

7. In what would you like to gain more experience?

Marketing is one of the things that I totally underestimated. It takes a lot of effort and time but you can see the outcomes. So I want to see strategies and marketing plans. Besides that I want to work together with our IT-Department. They are very talented and capable of many things. I always look forward for collaborations for special projects with my IT-colleagues.

8. Since you work here for few months, you have a very 'fresh' view on the rental karting market. What is your view on that?

Rental Karting is a requirement in our world. It doesn't matter if you want to blow off steam, test your adrenaline, make a professional career in Karting or even make your first steps in F1. It all comes down to Rental Karting. I have respect for people with passion for Karting and for those who want to contribute. Talking strictly about owners and representatives related with Karting, no owner would lose tons of money just for their hobby, that's why Rental Karting is a requirement. That's why you need SMS-Timing!

p.s.: See you soon on the official Facebook page of SMS-Timing.

Kind regards
Benjamin