İyiler olarak daha çok çalışmalıyız... | Lokman Ökten | TEDxKötekli Youth

Introduction and Gratitude

• Lokman Ökten is invited to the stage to give his speech at the TEDxKötekli Youth event (0s).
• He expresses his excitement and gratitude for being in Muğla, and thanks the organizers for the invitation (30s).
• Ökten acknowledges the hard work of the team behind the scenes and the students who have gained valuable experience from the event (49s).
• He asks for a round of applause for the students, particularly those from the Science High School, who have put in a lot of effort (1m9s).

Ökten's Background and Career Journey

• Ökten introduces himself, born in 1982 in Karabük, and shares that he studied Business Administration at Istanbul Technical University in 1999 (1m24s).
• He has been giving speeches since 2012-2013, focusing on topics such as change, transformation, innovation, and entrepreneurship (1m38s).
• Ökten is currently the President of Corporate Innovation and Projects at Turkish Airlines, leading a team that pursues innovation (1m49s).
• His life has been centered around change, transformation, innovation, entrepreneurship, startups, and technologies (1m56s).
• Ökten's first work experience was trying to establish his own company, Teknopol Bilişim Teknolojileri, while he was still a student (2m6s).
• A personal business was established while still a student, but it was later closed and the individual worked in the private sector for about 6 years before starting another business, driven by an entrepreneurial spirit (2m28s).
• Between 2008 and 2012, the individual worked with e-commerce and e-commerce technologies, but ultimately experienced a significant financial loss, including nearly losing their home, and had to pay off debts for a long time (2m38s).
• After recovering, the individual worked as a manager at a company that had previously invested in their business, and later founded a consulting firm, which was eventually closed to take on the role of general secretary at MÜSİAD (2m57s).
• Following the role at MÜSİAD, the individual worked at Kuveyt Türk for about 5 years, focusing on strategic projects, and later became involved in entrepreneurship and venture capital investments, including the establishment of a venture capital investment fund (3m9s).
• Currently, the individual serves as the Head of Corporate Innovation Projects at Turkish Airlines, a position they have held for the past 3 years (3m19s).

The Importance of Experience and Apprenticeship

• The importance of gaining experience and serving an apprenticeship is emphasized, as the individual's lack of experience in their first business venture led to significant difficulties and financial losses (3m32s).
• It is suggested that gaining experience and serving an apprenticeship in a low-risk environment before entering the business world is crucial, as the cost of mistakes can be high (3m46s).
• The individual believes that having some experience before starting their first business, Technopol, might have led to a different outcome, but they also believe that everything that has happened in their life has been for the best (4m5s).
• The individual's experiences have provided them with the opportunity to serve an apprenticeship in various roles, including entrepreneurship, investing, and mentoring, and they hope to have achieved mastery in their current role (4m20s).

Focus and Avoiding Distractions

• The challenges of dividing attention between working for someone else and starting one's own business are also highlighted, as the individual experienced difficulties in focusing on their own business while working for someone else (4m24s).
• Focusing is crucial, as it can significantly impact one's success, and it's essential to avoid distractions, such as phones, to maintain focus and increase the chances of achieving goals (4m43s).
• Social media often presents success stories, which can lead to feelings of inadequacy, but it's essential to focus on one's goals and strive for success in that area, rather than comparing oneself to others (5m8s).
• The concept of "raptiye teorimi" suggests that being exceptionally good at one thing can lead to success, and it's essential to focus on a specific area to achieve expertise (5m14s).
• Students should focus on their studies, and teachers should focus on their students to help them achieve success (5m25s).

Seeking Advice and Learning from Mistakes

• Reflecting on past experiences, such as the failure of "pratik evi," can provide valuable lessons, and it's essential to consider seeking advice from experts before making significant decisions (5m32s).
• Seeking advice from experts and considering their warnings can help make informed decisions and avoid potential pitfalls (6m1s).
• The importance of seeking advice from others, while still making one's own decisions, is a valuable lesson learned from past experiences, and it's essential to consider different perspectives before making a decision (6m2s).

The Rapid Pace of Technological Advancement

• The combination of experience, apprenticeship, focus, and seeking advice are essential elements for success, and it's crucial to adapt to the changing world and apply these principles to one's life (6m22s).
• The sound of a dial-up modem connecting to the internet is a nostalgic reminder of the past, with many younger people likely never having heard it before, and it symbolizes the transformation and change that has occurred over the years (6m44s).
• The 1980s model modem sound represents a time when internet access was limited, with hotmail offering a 2 MB quota and the ability to send 15 KB photos, and people were happy with the slow speeds (6m57s).
• The rapid advancement of technology has led to significant changes in the past 20 years, with the internet and technology becoming an integral part of daily life (7m49s).
• Internet Explorer, Messenger, and MSM Messenger were once popular, but have since become outdated, with some people managing their relationships and work through these platforms (7m54s).
• Nokia phones were also once popular, but have since been replaced by newer technologies, and Google is now a dominant force, with its future uncertain due to the rise of artificial intelligence (8m11s).
• Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have become increasingly popular over the years, with many people using them to manage their personal and professional lives (8m23s).
• WhatsApp is widely used for communication, and platforms like yüdemi have gained popularity, especially during the pandemic, with its founder, Eren Bali, being a Turkish entrepreneur who studied at ODTÜ and later founded a successful company in the US (8m39s).
• The last decade has seen the rise of various technologies and platforms, such as Airbnb and Uber, that have become an integral part of our lives, with many logos and businesses emerging in this space (9m11s).
• In the last year, the landscape has become even more diverse, with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI), making it challenging to keep up with the latest developments, even for those working in the field (9m22s).
• The rapid pace of technological advancements is increasing the world's transformation speed, making it difficult to adapt (9m37s).

The Rise of AI and Its Impact

• Many people are using AI tools, such as Chat GPT, which is likely to become even more widespread (9m45s).
• The education system is also leveraging AI, and it is becoming essential to utilize these tools to stay ahead (9m50s).
• The current era is reminiscent of the Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 1700s and early 1800s, where steam-powered machines significantly increased productivity and transformed industries (9m59s).
• Those who fail to adapt to new technologies, such as a tailor who does not use machines, risk being left behind (10m16s).
• The impact of AI is being felt, with tasks that previously took a week to complete now being accomplished in a single night (10m26s).
• However, AI is only as good as the questions asked, and incorrect queries can lead to incorrect answers, emphasizing the importance of understanding the task at hand (10m38s).
• It is crucial to leverage AI in areas where one is knowledgeable, as it can be a valuable tool, but not using it can lead to being left behind in both personal and professional contexts (10m47s).
• The current technological advancements are revolutionary, and those who fail to adapt risk being left behind, much like a traditional tailor or printer (11m1s).

Technological Transformation and the Changing Economy

• The late Turkish President Turgut Özal, who played a significant role in the country's development, especially in the fields of communication and technology, is remembered for inaugurating a computer laboratory in 1993 (11m18s).
• The devices we use today, such as laptops and smartphones, are more powerful than the computers of the past, and we can even carry them in our pockets (11m30s).
• Approximately 30 years have passed since 1993, and we are experiencing a significant transformation with the development of artificial intelligence and the decreasing cost of technology (11m36s).
• A new economy is emerging with this transformation, and the list of the world's largest companies has changed over the years (11m50s).
• In the early 2000s, the largest companies were energy companies, banks, and other industries, but by 2016, the top five companies were all technology companies (11m56s).
• Microsoft, founded by Bill Gates in 1978, was one of the first technology companies to grow and become a major player (12m12s).
• Google, which was initially just a search engine, has expanded into various fields and changed its name to Alphabet to reflect its diverse activities (12m31s).

Adapting to Change: Success and Failure

• The success of these companies can be attributed to their ability to adapt and transform, unlike companies that failed to do so, such as Kodak, which had a 90% market share but went bankrupt due to its inability to transition from film to digital technology (13m11s).
• Kodak had research and development departments and innovation, but it was unable to change its mindset and adapt to the new technology (13m21s).
• Nokia, another company that failed to adapt, was once considered one of the most innovative companies, but it was eventually surpassed by Android and Apple (14m5s).
• Android, which was introduced before iOS, was able to gain an advantage by creating an ecosystem that allowed different developers to create applications and games (14m14s).
• Nokia initially lost to user experience and made a wrong move by selling to Microsoft, which then converted Nokia's Windows-based phone, but Nokia later regained control and now continues with a % market share using Android (14m50s).
• The CEO of Nokia stated that they did not do anything wrong but still lost, highlighting that in today's time, it is possible to lose without doing anything wrong (14m59s).

The Power of Continuous Improvement

• To succeed, one must do the right thing in the right way, and mathematics plays a crucial role in this, with the concept of 1.01% improvement each day leading to significant growth over time (15m7s).
• If one improves by 1.01% every day, they will reach a 37-fold increase in a year, which is a valuable mathematical concept representing a small daily improvement leading to massive annual growth (15m26s).
• This concept is also illustrated by the metaphor of a grain mill, where if one does not continuously improve, they will be left behind, just like the grain that is not milled will eventually decay (16m11s).
• If one does not improve themselves, they will eventually decline, and according to the mathematics of change and transformation, they will approach zero, making them vulnerable to loss, regardless of their current size or position (16m48s).
• Even the world's leading companies can be affected by new technologies, and it is essential to stay up-to-date with the latest developments to avoid being left behind (17m3s).
• In mathematics, especially for those who engage in sports, a simple calculation can be used to illustrate the power of consistent effort: if one doubles a number every day, in 30 days, the result will be 5 million, but after 15 days, the number is still relatively small, at 13, illustrating that significant progress may take time to manifest (17m16s).
• A personal anecdote about a high school student who did not see the effects of exercise for three months but eventually experienced significant physical changes, demonstrating that development is a continuous process and that one should not give up (17m29s).
• The concept of continuous improvement is essential, as it can lead to significant changes over time, and it is crucial to persevere and not give up, as those who do will ultimately lose (18m3s).
• Mathematics can be used to illustrate the importance of regular effort, and using metaphors and graphics can help to convey this message, emphasizing the need for consistent work and patience (18m18s).

Essential Qualities for Success

• The skills and competencies required in the workforce are constantly changing, and it is essential to adapt to these changes, with skills like analytical thinking, creativity, and technological literacy becoming increasingly important (18m44s).
• However, there are five essential qualities that remain unchanged, including empathy, honesty, reliability, helpfulness, and respect, which are crucial for personal and professional development (19m11s).
• These qualities can be developed and strengthened through education and personal effort, and individuals who possess them are more likely to become good people and achieve success (19m26s).
• Ultimately, the pursuit of goodness and personal development is a continuous process that requires effort, perseverance, and a commitment to cultivating essential qualities (19m37s).
• If we strive to be good and work hard, the world can become a better place, and this concept can be viewed as a mathematical function, where our efforts directly impact the outcome (19m39s).
• It is our responsibility to cultivate ourselves and become better individuals, as our actions can influence the world's trajectory, either positively or negatively (19m53s).
• By doing good deeds, we can reduce the world's evil and increase its goodness, emphasizing the importance of our actions and their consequences (20m5s).

The Importance of Hard Work and Continuous Learning

• To achieve success, it is essential to combine intelligence with hard work, as Nobel laureate Aziz Sancar notes that intelligence can only take you so far, and perseverance and dedication are necessary to reach your goals (20m13s).
• Henry Ford's quote, "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at 20 or 80," highlights the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement (20m32s).
• Learning from others, especially the young, can be a valuable experience, and it is crucial to maintain a youthful mindset by continuing to learn and grow (20m38s).
• As Henry Ford also said, "The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young," emphasizing the significance of mental youthfulness and our responsibility to maintain it (20m50s).

Creating a Better World

• The concept of "two days being the same is a loss" is relevant in today's world, where we have the opportunity to make a positive impact and create a better world (20m56s).
• It is our collective responsibility to work together to make the world a better place, and by doing so, we can create a brighter future for ourselves and others (21m4s).
• The fact that people are taking the time to learn and attend events like this one is a positive step towards creating a better world, and appreciation is extended to the organizers, contributors, and attendees (21m12s).