Perspectives on Trendyol’s Gulf expansion

In conversation with Mohamad ElAnsari

In this interview, we explore the spirit of Trendyol’s Gulf expansion through Mohamad ElAnsari insightful perspective, where he offers unique observations on how our agile approach has driven our expansion in the Gulf region, while highlighting important aspects of Trendyol’s culture that contribute to this expansion. Through this conversation, we uncover the cultural aspects, collaborative strategies, and innovative practices.

Bruno: Hello Mohamad! Please introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Trendyol.

Mohamad: Hi Bruno! Sure, let me give you a quick overview. I was born and raised in Lebanon and currently, I am the CEO of a strategic partnership between Trendyol and Cenomi, where I focus on localization, growth, and partnerships with government and commercial sectors such as retailers, telcos, and banks. My role is also to build our local team and create the right structure that will support our success.

Bruno: What initially attracted you to your role and made you join Trendyol?

Mohamad: I was part of a team that built an e-commerce platform for Cenomi. I moved to Trendyol because I was inspired with their success in Tukiye and I also had a lot of conviction that they will succeed in the region given their strong cap table, financial performance and their strategic decision to partner locally with the largest retailer in KSA. During the selection process, I was also quite impressed by the high caliber of the team and the differentiated value proposition to both our consumers and our vendors.

Bruno: What is the impact of Trendyol’s culture on our expansion into the Gulf region?

Mohamad: The dynamic and fast-growing nature of the highly competitive Gulf market requires a high degree of agility, execution focus and speed, which directly reflect Trendyol’s values. Our culture focuses on winning quickly and decisively through a data-driven and results-oriented approach, which gives us a competitive edge in this environment. Not to forget, the synergy within our team and the confidence in our abilities. Today’s actions bring tomorrow’s results.

Bruno: What is Trendyol’s goal for the Gulf region in the future?

Mohamad: Our goal for the Gulf region in the future is to take an inclusive approach and provide an opportunity for all local large and SME (Small and medium-sized enterprises) sellers and retailers to be on our platform. We believe in building a stronger local presence in the Gulf region by hiring local talent, enhancing the end-to-end e-shopping experience for our users while striving to exceed customers’ expectations.

Bruno: How do you incorporate Trendyol values into your daily work?

Mohamad: One way is definitely to emphasize execution and practicality in all tasks and projects. And as Bill Gates wisely said, “We all need people who will give us feedback; that’s how we improve.” And I am open to giving and receiving feedback, making sure to communicate expectations clearly to promote transparency and alignment within the team. Sharing is the mother of learning. Finally, I have a big-picture mindset that drives me to explore innovative ideas and solutions. I believe that focusing on these values and working as a team are key elements that contribute to my daily work.

Bruno: What makes you proud to be a part of the Trendyol team?

Mohamad: I would like to highlight a few points. First, our mission to digitize SMEs and empower women is both inspiring and impactful. In addition, our culture’s emphasis on being humble yet thinking big, along with our focus on speed of execution, all-hands-on-deck approach, and flat organizational structure, creates a dynamic atmosphere. Teamwork is strongly rooted in our culture.

Bruno: Thank you, Mohamad, for sharing your insights on our Gulf expansion. It was great to talk with you and to know that our mission is having such an impact.

Mohamad: Thank you, Bruno. I look forward to continuing my journey at Trendyol, embodying our mission and values, and contributing to our success.

Excited to learn more about our international expansions and gain a sneak peek into #LifeatTrendyol? We have exciting positions opened in Riyadh and Dubai! Check out our Careers page for more details, follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated with the latest news and people stories, and be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for the behind-the-scenes actions.