Ralph Yirikian shared Viva-MTS management experience to Leadership School students

Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian presented his knowledge and experience in the fields of business leadership and management to the students within the framework of a special training at the invitation of the Leadership School.

Most of the participants have higher education and are working in their professional field. Therefore, the discussion was insightful and in-depth, touching upon a wide range of leadership and management skills, opportunities and examples of practical application.

Ralph Yirikian referred to the concepts of “Leadership” and “Management”, and then proceeded to introduce the principles of business management based on personal experience. He presented the main principles and tools of leadership and management mainly with examples of successful operation of Viva-MTS.

“Viva-MTS’ successful experience of creating a viable and exemplary company providing telecommunications and integrated digital services, achievements and challenges have formed a great experience that we have turned into knowledge and share with future leaders,” said Viva-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian.

Ralph Yirikian drew the students' attention to the fact that there’s always a high probability to make mistakes, noting that in no case should one despair, that a mistake is a precondition for learning and very often also a new opportunity. “Fear of avoiding mistakes often leads to indecision and inability to make voluntary decisions, does not allow the management team to act quickly, and keeps the staff in uncertainty. In general, the way to implement an innovative idea is difficult and risky: it is one of the patterns of economic activity. Many of the successful entrepreneurs around the world have made mistakes. But at the same time, as a decision-maker, a manager must be able to admit his mistake, not blame others, and must be able to draw lessons.”

Yirikian also spoke about the continuous development of management systems.  “The world is transforming at lightning speed, the demand for innovative ideas is growing even faster. To be the first, one should understand how well the company is in line with the needs of the time and new trends. And in order to keep pace with such changes, investments and the latest high-tech systems are necessary, although those are not sufficient conditions. Management systems need to be transformed. At Viva-MTS, we are carrying out structural transformations, working on the introduction of agile approaches, as well as modernizing operating systems,” he said.

According to Ralph Yirikian, a key feature of leadership is crisis management, rapid response and accessibility.

As stated by the speaker, it is necessary to manage by setting an example. “One of the first steps to becoming a leader is to be proactive in the workplace. Avoid being in the comfort zone, choose unstable situations and environments, suffer, think, look for solutions, see the gaps that need to be filled. Look ahead, calculate your steps. Learn to be a strategist,” Yirikian said.

At the end of the lecture, Ralph Yirikian urged the young people to set goals and strive for them. “You have to be able to dream and endeavor, you have to develop willpower, you have to work day and night to develop the necessary professional and personal qualities to achieve your dreams,” Ralph Yirikian concluded.

Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market.  The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility), ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System) and ISO 37001 (International anti-bribery management systems standard).

Mobile TeleSystems PJSC ("MTS") is the leading telecommunications group in Russia and the CIS, offering mobile and fixed voice, broadband, pay TV as well as content and entertainment services in one of the world's fastest growing regions. Including its subsidiaries, the Group services over 86.8 million mobile subscribers in Russia, Armenia and Belarus. Since June Y2000, MTS' Level 3 ADRs have been listed on the New York Stock Exchange (ticker symbol MBT). Additional information about the MTS Group can be found at: www.mtsgsm.com