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Born leader...
Ο επιτυχημένος επιχειρηματίας Βασίλης Τοτόλης, πρωτοπόρος στις
συνεργασίες με διάσημα διεθνή brands, εξηγεί γιατί το να μη θεωρείς
τίποτα δεδομένο είναι το business tip της εποχής μας!
The successful enterpreneur Vassilis Totolis, a pioneer in cooperating
with famous international brands, explains why not to take anything
for granted is the business tip of our time!
Από την Κατερίνα Ρίγκου By Katerina Rigou
Mr. Totolis, you are one of the most important businessmen in Northern
Greece. What is the most useful lesson you have learned so far from the art
of business?
Thank you for your kind words. However I believe, that all remaining
businessmen in Northern Greece are equally important, especially nowadays,
that private initiative and entrepreneurship is “punished” by severe taxation and
more. So, I will tell you that it is now “forbidden” to take anything for granted.
From countries’ borders up to business cooperations, we have to be prepared
for constant changes with the corresponding effect on our sector. Bearing that
in mind and aiming towards success I believe that each businessman should
follow these three rules: knowledge intensity – labor intensity – capital intensity.
Especially as far as young businessmen are concerned, the words of Samuel
Becket should be a guideline in the difficult paths of entrepreneurship: «Always
trying. Always failing. Doesn’t matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better».
Rist Hellas is the exclusive representative of ORIS Watches for Greece and
Cyprus, of TW Steel for Greece, as well as the official representative of Fossil
Group, and therefore in the first line of Greek entrepreneurship. What are its
goals and its role in the domestic and international market?
Rist Hellas in just one year of operation has managed to take over the
representation in the Greek and Cypriot market of some of the most respectable
companies in the sector of watch making. The selection of Rist by Fossil Group,
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the top group in the sector of fashion brands worldwide, as its new representative
in Greece, through a multitude of “candidates”, is the ultimate reward for the
way we operate. The goals of Rist Hellas through the harmonic combination of
the drive given to us by the economic stoutness of our owners’ group and the
know-how of the company’s executives, are nothing else than our establishment
as a synonym of successful bulk distribution of watch making products in
Greece and Cyprus as well as in the broader area of the Balkans.
Has your cooperation with the colossal Al Rajhi Group has been a landmark
in your professional course? Tell us a few words about this cooperation.
My cooperation with GECX Group OF Al Rajhi group has began since 2010 in
the sector of oil products and gas commerce and has expanded since 2013 by
founding the subsidiary in Greece (GECX Group Greece). The foundation of Rist
Hellas in 2014 came as the capstone of a flawless cooperation in all levels and
the desire on their side to support the Greek economy even more.
Do you believe that Greek economy can recover and how?
We read controversial opinions from several foreign organizations regarding if
and when our economy will recover. The fact is that the existing situation doesn’t
leave much room for optimism. Nevertheless, I believe that this given moment,
decentralization, direct and intense return to the primary production combined
with increase of our business extroversion is an absolute must. It is not logical for
a country to lay all its hopes on the “ace card” of tourism.
Κύριε Τοτόλη, είστε ένας από τους σημαντικότερους
επιχειρηματικούς παράγοντες της Βόρειας Ελλάδας.
Ποιο είναι το ισχυρότερο δίδαγμα που έχετε αποκομίσει μέχρι τώρα από την τέχνη του επιχειρείν;
Ευχαριστώ για τα καλά σας λόγια. Όλοι οι εναπομείναντες επιχειρηματικοί παράγοντες, ειδικά στη Βόρεια
Ελλάδα, είναι εξίσου σημαντικοί, ιδιαίτερα στις μέρες
μας, που η επιχειρηματικότητα τιμωρείται με βάναυση
φορολόγηση, και όχι μόνο. Θα σας απαντήσω, λοιπόν,
πως «απαγορεύεται» πλέον να θεωρούμε κάτι δεδομένο. Από γεωγραφικά σύνορα χωρών μέχρι επαγγελματικές συνεργασίες, πρέπει να είμαστε προετοιμασμένοι
για συνεχείς αλλαγές, με τον ανάλογο αντίκτυπο
στον τομέα μας. Με γνώμονα αυτό και με σκοπό την
επιτυχία θεωρώ πως κάθε επιχειρηματίας οφείλει να
ακολουθεί το τρίπτυχο: ένταση γνώσεων – ένταση
εργασίας – ένταση κεφαλαίων. Ιδι