The EBRD Business Advisory Services (BAS) helps a business woman to improve the operations of her company.
Security is more than a worry to Natalya Lepehina: it’s a business. As Director of Uly Gaya, a Turkmen company providing safety systems, including video surveillance, access control and fire alarm systems, she also needs to ensure that the company itself is safe and sound.
The company grew rapidly after its establishment in 1994, but with this growth came tougher challenges regarding the existing management and organisational structures. These, in turn, highlighted the need to develop a long-term strategy to make better use of resources and allow even more growth.
Business support from consultants
As Ms Lepehina was looking for opportunities to improve her company’s operations and address these issues, she participated in training organised by BAS to improve female entrepreneurs’ management skills. She also engaged in other development activities organised by BAS, including a Business Clinic, short seminars for entrepreneurs and an individual coaching session. These activities helped her to realise her business needs and to gain the skills necessary to introduce improvements in the company.
To help Ms Lepehina meet her objectives, in 2012 the BAS team, which in Turkmenistan is supported by the EBRD’s Shareholder Special Fund (SSF), put her in contact with local consulting company Netijelilik. Their aim was to carry out an analysis of Uly Gaya’s structure and management practices and to design a strategy for business development and a better management structure.
Improved management
After working with the consultants and implementing their recommendations, Uly Gaya has improved both its management structure and systems. The consultancy carried out also helped Ms Lepehina to see further potential business opportunities and to expand the company’s activities to provide new services to its clients. And, as a result, Uly Gaya is indeed a more secure business now.
