BOSS MAGAZINE > Andrii Azarov: global business systems that can change the world

Questions from the correspondent of the Information Agency 100% NEWS.

Mr. Azarov, a group of your companies has been holding Global Business Week for 23 years in a row, please answer a few questions that will be of interest to readers of BOSS Magazine.  

We have chosen the UK as the venue for GLOBAL BUSINESS WEEK 2023 for several important reasons. First of all, the UK is one of the key political players in the international arena, which gives the event a special significance and attracts the attention of the world community.

In addition, the UK has a rich cultural and business heritage, and cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and London are international business and financial centers and home to many successful entrepreneurs and innovative start-ups.

The UK also offers great opportunities for business development and investment, and its geographic location makes it easy for participants from different countries to gather in one place and establish valuable business contacts.

We believe that holding GLOBAL BUSINESS WEEK 2023 in the UK will promote international entrepreneurship, stimulate innovation and create new opportunities for successful business development in a global market and global crises.

We are pretty sure, that our events in the UK will be able to draw attention to the main global issue - Russia’s barbaric war against Ukraine and keep this problem in constant focus until the final resolution of this global crisis.  

Since I started in business in 1990, my goal has always been to create opportunities and generate innovative ideas that can lead to changing the world.
I believe that entrepreneurship is the driving force for economic development and social change. Therefore, I strive to create a new system of business education that will develop entrepreneurial abilities and skills from a very early age.

My role is to inspire and educate the younger generation in entrepreneurship, helping them develop their potential and overcome obstacles to success. 

During my entrepreneurial career, I have invested in over 40 companies in various business areas. We have implemented hundreds of business projects, carried out construction projects, developed new products and services, conducted innovative research and introduced advanced technologies.

Our companies are actively working in the field of education, media, finance, tourism, construction, retail, information technology and other industries.
We try to be ahead of time, offering the market new solutions, foreseeing and shaping the needs of our customers.

We often create products or services that improve people’s lives and give them new opportunities. However, since no one has provided many services before us, we have to make great efforts ourselves to provide information support for our offer and form a new consumer market for our new product or service.
For over 20 years, one of our innovative products has been a full-fledged 8-year supplementary business education at MiniBoss Business School Global Educational Network for children (6-17 years old) and at BigBoss Business School for youth (from 18 years).

Our innovative programmes for educational institutions of all levels and for opening our own educational centres as well as partners’ ones allow us to replicate our experience and business model to any country and society through modern franchising technologies.

Such an offer does not exist on the market at all, and we have been in the “Blue Ocean” for quite a long time with all the advantages and responsibilities that come with it.

Moreover, since the mid-1990s, we have created and developed a system of interest-free and unsecured consumer bank-loans and a system of financial support for entrepreneurship.

For over two decades, our financial structures have financed more than 10 ,000 companies under various credit programs or on the terms of partnerships.
Thus, we act as investors and innovators who create the products and services needed to improve people’s lives, and help people face the future with confidence by creating and developing their new or existing businesses. 

Franchising is one of our key business development strategies. I believe that franchising provides unique opportunities to expand business and create partnerships.

As an experienced franchising specialist and, at the same time, the head of the European Association of Business Development, I help entrepreneurs launch successful franchises that allow them to spread the business model and brand into new markets.

Franchising has a number of advantages, such as rapid scaling, risk reduction, use of an already proven and successful concept, support from the Franchisor and access to his experience and expertise. I believe that franchising plays an important role in the development of small and medium-sized businesses and can stimulate economic growth and job creation.

It is important to note that franchising is an adaptive business model that allows businesses to be transferred as quickly as possible from one country to another using the local mentality, language, legislation and business principles operated by Franchisees who purchase a franchise for their region. This means that there are no boundaries or obstacles for such a model. 

We organise and run a variety of events, forums, championships, business tours and family business camps to promote global cooperation and entrepreneurship.

The most famous of them are held on a regular basis in different countries at least once a year: International Business Forum “BIGBRANDS”, International Leadership Forum “BIGBOSS GLOBAL BUSINESS & INNOVATION FORUM 2023”, International Women’s Business Forum “EUROWOMAN”, GLOBAL BUSINESS WEEK. 

Firstly, women entrepreneurship has great potential and plays an important role in modern business. We recognise that women have unique abilities, talents and perspectives that can bring new ideas, innovations and approaches to the world of entrepreneurship.

In many fields they are more talented and effective than men, so we should take benefit from it identifying and developing them.

We are taking a number of measures to support and stimulate female entrepreneurship creating special programmes and initiatives to develop and help women entrepreneurs, providing access to educational resources, training courses and mentoring support to develop their skills and gain the necessary knowledge to be successful in business.

Secondly, we actively encourage the development of networks of support and exchange of experience among women entrepreneurs organising forums, conferences and events.

The role of women in the modern world and business is irreplaceable. They are less aggressive and often more reserved and cautious. The participation of women in business motivates the creation of more balanced and organized teams, which contributes to the successful solution of business problems and the development of a fair society as a whole. 

The key principle in managing Azarov Group (AG) enterprise system is civilized partnerships with a clear distribution of powers between investors and managing partners. We strive for efficient and responsible management based on the principles of transparency, trust and fairness.

The fundamental principles on which our system is based include active cooperation and collaboration between all AG companies and organizations. We strive to create a favorable environment for the exchange of experience and knowledge by maintaining open communication channels and regular discussions between participants in the system.

Our management of the AG network of companies and organizations is based on the principles of efficiency, innovation and sustainability.

The companies that make up the AG Enterprise System operate several international consortiums created to develop entrepreneurship in different countries. 

The future of business education is one of the key aspects of the development of modern entrepreneurship. We believe that innovative approaches in education can bring significant changes to the world of entrepreneurship and form a new generation of successful and ambitious entrepreneurs.

Firstly, we see that traditional methods of education do not always meet modern challenges and business needs. Therefore, we actively implement innovative approaches that contribute to the development of practical skills, creativity, entrepreneurial thinking and independence in students. We strive to create academic programmes that combine theoretical basis with practical experience and mentoring support.

Secondly, with the development of technology and digital revolution, we see opportunities to expand access to education and create global educational platforms. We aim at using modern technologies, online courses and virtual educational environments to ensure the flexibility and scalability of educational programmes. This enables students from different countries to receive quality education, share experiences and build global networks.

Thirdly, we recognize the importance of practices, so we put an emphasis on learning through real business projects, internships, mentoring programmes and participation in competitions and championships. We aim at creating educational ecosystems that connect educational institutions, the business community and industry to ensure the practical value of education and prepare students for the real challenges of entrepreneurship.The entire curriculum has been developed by our experts and is endlessly upgraded taking into account evolutionary advances and technological revolutions.

We also focus on the development of digital competencies and the impact of technology on business. Future entrepreneurs should be ready to use the latest technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, e-commerce and creative internet technologies. Which have already become a reality for creating innovative and efficient business models ,so our students must be prepared for them.

In addition, our business education actively interacts with the business community and industry. We realize the importance of partnerships between our institutions and companies so that students have the opportunity to work on real business projects, receive feedback from experienced professionals and build their own professional networks. 

I deeply believe in the social responsibility of business, and my team attaches great importance to philanthropy. You know, the majority of millionares come from families at or below middle-income level, who just met the right person in the right place and time ,for example, an icon “mentor”, “life teacher”, “entrepreneur” that helped them realize and develop some areas, gaining important knowledge and motivation. And our quality and innovative business education, which we develop through the franchise of the International Business Academy Consortium, makes it real.

We support a number of projects and initiatives in the field of social responsibility. One of them is a special support for talented students, to whom we provide the opportunity to receive quality education and develop their entrepreneurial potential.

I am convinced that investment in education is one of the key factors in the development of society and can significantly affect its future.

Our investment in startups by students of our business schools around the world every year is another of our philanthropic initiatives. We aim at supporting talented young entrepreneurs and help them put innovative ideas into practice.

We use our own revenues and Azarov family Charitable Fund, to prize funds for international championships in entrepreneurship among children and youth,which stimulates the development of entrepreneurial skills and inspires young people to achieve high results.

Social responsibility and charity are an integral part of our philosophy and values. We believe that our growth and business success should go hand in with caring for society and helping those in need. 

My main mission as an entrepreneur and a leader is to inspire and help others succeed in business. I strive to create conditions and opportunities for the formation of successful business communities where people can develop and realize their potential.

In our team, I am fortunate to work with outstanding professionals who share my passion for entrepreneurship and business education. The most important partner in my life and in business is my wife, Olga Azarova. She is a great scientist, teacher and entrepreneur whose deep knowledge and experience in business, economics, pedagogy, journalism and management, as well as her talent in creating and developing educational methods are an invaluable contribution not only to our team, but also an invaluable contribution to the Humanity. I am thinking about writing a book about her.,which , I’mpretty sure, will be a bestseller.

Olga Azarova is one of the candidates for the Nobel Prize in education today. Her 8Qs method enables development of 8 human intelligences from an early age and benefits countless people in the world. In our global business schools alone we have already had more than 9,000 graduates , whose success delight us .
Our children are also a part of our team and family business from a young age and are preparing to continue our business. We strive to create a united and well-coordinated team, in which each member brings his own unique skills and ideas.

In addition, we collaborate and have partnerships with professionals, trainers, consultants, experts in various fields, who contribute to the achievement of common goals.

For their courage and efficiency, our main partners and team members get the opportunity to build businesses with us, travel and explore the world, develop and get inspiration from our victories.

We value and recognize the contribution of each member of the team, regardless of their position or responsibilities. 

We keep on working on our ambitious plans to expand children’s business schools and the International Business Academy all over the world,which have already changed the world for sure and are changing the world for the better.

We see our role in creating change in the world through our innovative model of education and awareness, our events, forums and championships that promote the exchange of experience, establish partnerships and inspire new generations of entrepreneurs. All these things make a significant contribution to economic development, innovation and the creation of a sustainable future for the planet. 

I would highly recommend investing in children’s business education,which is relatively not expensive.for example the cost of Mercedes car.However,it’s an easy business to do if you have our methodology and support.

Franchise partnerships work perfectly,as partners buy everything ready-made, without spending time or money on development,but working to clear standards,which is their benefit and the ease of doing business.

That’s why I can mention how rapidly the business environment is changing in the countries where experienced entrepreneurs who know how to run a business have bought our franchises.

MiniBoss Business School network is developing in the UK, Ukraine, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Australia, Kazakhstan, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, and Turkey showing incredible results in just 3 years of franchise operation,which really changes the world.

I have been involved in banking and construction, and the service sector, and international consulting in my life, but business education franchises are what every country and every responsible entrepreneurial parent needs, because this is a guarantee of the success of the next generation. And that is the most valuable investment for any entrepreneur. Therefore, I recommend investing in this huge and profitable children’s business education market. 

My advice is to follow your passion and try hard and do your best to achieve your goals. Take risks, be open -minded, and don’t be afraid to think out of the box.
Do not forget about networking - building relationships and collaborating with other entrepreneurs is the most valuable thing. So you can reach great heights and create a sustainable business in your countries.

Thank you, Mr.Azarov, for your time. Your contribution to the development of entrepreneurship and the organization of global business networking is important and inspiring.