ELKO Group Convention 2002 was held during September 11-14. This event brought together ELKO Group sales offices managers from 11 countries and company’s key business partners representing 21 world-renowned IT manufacturers.
First two days were devoted to ELKO Group internal meetings, where managers of sales offices and headquater's management discussed achievments of the offices and the future plans. Afterwards, during the two days workshop outside Riga, ELKO Group shared with major IT manufacturers its vision about market potential in ELKO Group regions.
On September 12, during the Press conference, ELKO Group senior management was questioned a lot by journalists, and these are the most common questions answered by Egons Mednis (ELKO Group President), Jānis Casno (ELKO Group CEO), and Ilgonis Inspēters (ELKO Group Distribution and Marketing Director).
What is the secret of ELKO Group success?
Egons Mednis: “The success of the company has been achieved through high professionalism, good knowledge of the local IT markets, and hard work.
The key factors that ensures ELKO Group success are: efficient business model (localized management and centralized operations for purchasing, logistics, marketing, and finance), full product line portfolio from world-class quality vendors that is attractive and scalable to customer needs, flexible logistics, effective marketing, modern information technologies, and professional team.”
Why the headquarters of the company is located in Riga?
Egons Mednis: “Historically we started our business here and current market situation is appropriate for having headquarters in Riga in the future as well.”
Have there been any products and suppliers that ELKO Group have rejected on behalf of more progressive technology or you just follow the consumer demands?
Ilgonis Inspeters: “There have been products and suppliers that we have rejected, but those were not from world known IT manufacturers. Product range offered by ELKO Group is very much influenced by consumers, at the same time we always have tried to increase demand for new products offered by our vendors if we see a growth potential in our markets.”
Will ELKO Group include in the future new services to complete the classic activity of distribution?
Janis Casno: “ELKO Group has no plans to diversify the activities and develop own retail chains or enter PC assembling or other segments. We aim at strengthening ELKO Group position as distributor in each of the markets.”
What are ELKO Group and plans for the next year?
Ilgonis Inspeters: “Strengthen ELKO Group position in each country and balance the product portfolio among regions is our main focus for next year.
Also, we have been continuously improving the services offered to our customers by offering a professional logistic system and providing them with a strong marketing and financial support. Currently e-commerce is one of our top priorities to improve customer service – ELKO Group has seriously worked on this sales technique during last year and we will continue to develop and improve it.”
The four days were full of fruitful meetings, debates, and arguments. Much have been discussed, many problems raised, and plans settled. This meeting gave all participants an opportunity to share the international experience and future visions in order to continue succeed in each region ELKO Group operates.
