In the US, they are counting down to opening the "US Islamic Culture Center," the world's largest complex of its kind, in the state of Maryland. With its Mimar Sinan-inspired architectural design, the organizers hope to familiarize Americans with Islam and Islamic aesthetics. Apparently, the inauguration will take place with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Barack Obama in attendance.
For years, we have been saying that Turkey has no "hard power" problem (economic, finance, production, technical infrastructure), yet it does have a "soft power" problem (culture, arts, legal system, individual rights and freedoms, brand value, and the needed innovation and R&D).
The purpose of the construction of the US Islamic Culture Center is absolutely a "soft power" approach. Just like the purpose behind the making of the film "Ertuğrul 1890," which premiered a couple of days ago. This ambitious film is apparently the first Turkey-Japan co-production, and is dedicated to the friendship between the two countries. Speaking at the premiere, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said, “We have never forgotten the friendly hand extended to us. The Turkish-Japanese friendship will continue forever.”
As known, Turkey is among the largest 20 economies of the world. (Hard Power) For example, Switzerland is not among these top 20 countries. Well where does Turkey stand in terms of (Soft Power)? Toward the end of the list... Well, where is Switzerland on this list? In the top six...
Making the "global isolation" enforced on Turkey ineffective, "Soft" and "Smart Power" applications should be implemented. Results will be seen in the long run, but the effects will be wonderful, especially if implementations are done consecutively.
We feel rather happy to have witnessed yesterday another struggle at the heart of the meaning of "Soft Power."
Yesterday, the launch of the campaign for the Turkish Brand in Turkey and the world, established with the hard work of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TIM), took place with Prime Minister Davutoğlu in attendance. The launch was very crowded. The introductory film was shown last night in Turkey, after being broadcast throughout the world for the past week. It was very emotional and impressive.
While Prime Minister Davutoğlu touched on the geographies of ancient cultures, he said the Turkish Brand reflected these cultures and their extraordinary regions. He said: “There is no civilization that has not affected our culture. Our culture is a blend of cultures. We represent humanity. Only a few regions represent humanity in its entirety. We are everywhere; we will continue to be everywhere. Turkey will also be at the center of global economy. We will become globalized and represent our culture.”
He also answered those who were curious about the source of the assertion, "Very self-confident":
“For me, self-confidence is to discover your own strengths, possibilities and your own limits. And the thing we need most, the source of power, is self-confidence. Countries that lose their self-confidence will not have the strength to make new developments. Self confidence is the biggest revolution behind all the reforms we have made in the past 13 years.”
It is very clear that we have covered a great distance in the "Country Branding" journey, with the resolution of big issues, from value-added export to R&D and innovation to positioning, with the efforts of the TIM.
We have to understand the great contributions of the TIM in the commitment of our cities, our products, our services in the great journey of Turkish Branding, correctly. There is a long journey ahead of us, yet we know the stops we will pass. We have what we need to continue on with the journey. Our partners need to help us on this journey.
Let's turn this 'resource' into 'value'
Management Center Turkey (MCT) is undoubtedly one of the establishments that I take seriously and follow in terms of management systems. The general director and partner, Tanyel Sönmezer, who I have been lucky enough to have known for many years, has a special place for me.
Therefore, I believe I have the right to touch on the "Human Resources Summit" that they organized in February. I cannot say anything about the speakers. Especially about Tanyel, my brother... You must listen to him and must be impressed...
I object to referring to humans as a "source." I have written tens of articles on this issue. I believe the term belongs to the industrial society, and has been translated incorrectly from English.
At least the Anglo-Saxon calls it "resource," not merely "source," that can be used and expended like energy, natural sources and money... Besides, since the production of man is being discussed in a knowledge-based society, and the fact that nothing will ever be the same again, using the term "human resource" is not suitable for an intellectual accumulation like the MCT. It would be more appropriate for them to use "Human Value," a term we have the patent for, which has started to be used by foundations like the Independent Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (MÜSİAD)...
