The Faculty of Business Administration’s Retail Management (MAN 437) class hosted a corporate seminar with Göktuğ Gökdemir, founder of the well-known Ankara restaurant chain Il Forno and the café/restaurant Lemonde. Drawing on his extensive industry experience, Mr. Gökdemir spoke openly about his professional journey, which students found encouraging and informative.
He highlighted the importance of determination, focus, strong teamwork, understanding one’s market, financial competence, adaptability and knowing how each department in a business operates. He also shared his new strategy for entering a foreign market in 2026.
The seminar enhanced students’ knowledge of retail and consumer cultures and proved productive, offering clear and well-structured answers to their questions. Students will be able to apply the insights gained in their academic and professional paths.