We’re honored to be featured in Entrepreneur Georgia! Here’s the English version—enjoy the read!
"Ibccs.tax Georgia" has been helping Georgian and foreign investors discover the business potential of Georgia and develop their activities in our country for 6 years. The company is the Georgian representative office of the international IBCCS Tax, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in 2024.
"Ibccs.tax Georgia" and the international group of which the company is a member are a constantly growing and development-oriented team, for which customer satisfaction is not only a goal, but also a fundamental value.
The co-founder and regional director of the company's Georgian office is Irakli Arjevanidze, an experienced manager in marketing and communications. He met Cesar Zieniuk, the founder of the international Ibccs.tax, while still studying for his master's degree in Cyprus, where he studied with a state scholarship and funding from the same country.
How the ibccs.tax regional office was established in Georgia, who is its director, and what is the company's policy towards both employees and customers - Entrepreneur Georgia spoke to Irakli Arjevanidze about these and other issues.
First of all, tell us about yourself - what field of education did you receive and how did you end up at ibccs.tax Georgia?
After studying at several schools in Tbilisi, I entered Tbilisi State University, Faculty of Commerce and Marketing, and completed my bachelor's degree there. In 2012, within the framework of a grant from the Cypriot government, I received a scholarship to study at the European University of Cyprus, where I completed a full master's degree course in a year and a half and defended my master's thesis. It was in Cyprus that I became friends with my current partner, Cesari Zieniuk, with whom I shared a dormitory room.
After completing my master's degree, I had to go on a 5-month internship in the German city of Regensburg. After returning to Georgia, I worked at the microfinance organization "Credo", and after its transformation into a bank, at "Credo Bank". It was after 7 years of work at the bank that I decided to start a new business. In 2018, in Tbilisi, together with Cesar, who already had a company based in Cyprus, we founded "ibccs.tax Georgia".
In what direction are you currently involved in the company's work?
Today, in addition to managing the company, I am also involved in sales and customer communication. However, as our team grows, I will gradually be left with only management functions, which include developing the company's culture and entering new markets.
What was your career path before joining ibccs.tax, and what do you think gave you the most relevant experience for your current position?
Since the age of 18, I have worked and am still involved in various fields, including: agriculture, production, video production, graphic novels and comics production and publishing (both with my own scripts and for international publishers), investment and real estate, and trade. Before moving to Cyprus, I had to work at VTB Bank - I started as a night call center operator, after which my career developed significantly both in the bank and in other financial organizations. After that, I moved to the insurance company "Archimedes - Global Georgia", we also had a garbage collection company and the exclusive import of tobacco products to Georgia (these were Djarum brand kretek category tobacco products). After all this, there was independent life and studies in Cyprus and Germany and then back to Georgia.
Each of these activities, whether as an employee or an employer, or a startup, has given me the opportunity to gain experience in corporate management and life, as well as enthusiasm and a passion for innovation. I have been under both good and bad managers. I have made many mistakes; I know what it means to receive both praise and insults. I think that is the advantage of our team.
How would you describe your style as a manager?
It's a difficult question, I'll answer you with what I want it to be - as people-oriented as possible. I want to create equal opportunities for all team members and share the company's values equally within the team. If it's not like that now, I want you to know that I'm doing everything I can to make sure it is. This is my vision for the company.
What kind of corporate culture is cultivated at Ibccs.tax?
Our main value is high quality of service. Therefore, we operate around this value in the company. Initiatives and innovations are encouraged for employees, which we devote a lot of time to. As for culture, it is in the formation stage and is a very lively process, which is a completely healthy given the current growth of our team.
We also celebrate the company's birthday every year, when all team members gather for 2-3 days in Georgia or abroad. During this period, along with fun, we discuss the company's challenges and future plans, and if necessary, conduct professional training.
Why do you think this is important for employees and ultimately what does it mean for you?
It is important because it is not short-term and is people-oriented - both employees and customers.
How do you support the professional growth and development of employees?
Together with our managers, we strive to establish individual and direct communication with all team members. This allows us to have an "open door" management principle and quickly and easily identify needs. Professional development is ongoing in our team, and, in addition, team members themselves are involved in seeking and participating in internal and external training.
The company is growing and professional development within the team is encouraged. A clear example of this is one of the company's partners, who initially started as a chief accountant, and today holds the position of CFO and is also a shareholder in the company.
ibccs.tax is ten years old - how has the role of technology in your field changed over that time?
The answer is simple - it has changed according to demand. We live in a different reality, for example, we no longer use fax, electronic signatures have appeared, we have created an online platform for our services, we participate in a virtual forum, the metaverse, etc.
How does your team adapt all of this?
If we want to develop, we must adapt to the new reality at the speed at which the market is developing in the world. Sometimes we need to be pioneers in Georgia and develop the industry as a whole. This is a challenge that we must embrace and not be afraid of.
Do you have any innovative and technological practices in place that put you ahead of your competitors in the industry?
In August 2024, we won the GITA grant competition and began developing a new platform. It will digitize our service delivery and make it easier for customers to receive legal, financial, and accounting services remotely, through digital channels.
What is IBCCS's social responsibility policy and the projects implemented or planned in this direction?
Social responsibility is one of the most important policies for the company's culture. We share our experience and knowledge with start-ups free of charge, and in some cases, they even have the opportunity to receive our services for free. Creating a good foundation for financially and legally sound start-ups or young entrepreneurs is very important.
In September 2024, we were partners of TEDxTbilisi Youth, where we presented an educational game that made the basic processes of entrepreneurship more visible to young people.
We also have internship programs where young people have the opportunity to work and gain practical experience and knowledge through paid internships.
IBCCS is an international company - what role does the company play in the development of Georgian society?
We use a Georgian company for our group's internal trainings, which we conduct once a year for employees in all countries of the group. Also, the production of the group's brand book and marketing identifiers was carried out from Georgia, from where we provide services to representatives of different countries. One of the goals of this is to introduce Georgian companies to the international market, which gives them experience in managing international projects.
How important is partnership and cooperation for ibccs.tax?
Partnership, like social responsibility, is one of the most important for us, because IBCCS.TAX does not operate independently in the market and support, as everywhere and in everything, is important in our business. We share knowledge and experience with each other, strengthen each other's weaknesses and "complement" each other.
Can you highlight any significant collaborative projects?
There are many similar ones, but we would like to highlight one of the well-known cryptocurrency companies in Georgia, which we helped obtain an international license and enter the international market.
How important is customer feedback?
It is crucial, because ultimately, the goal of everything we do is client satisfaction. We especially enjoy positive feedback, which makes everyone, from account managers to managing partners, equally happy.
However, any feedback is important to us, and I will say this to the readers: if you have ideas, want to share your thoughts, or want to learn more about us, do not hesitate to write to us at hellogeorgia@ibccs.tax, do not rule out becoming our next customer, partner, or simply a fan. You never know how we can benefit each other.
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