Jeton Sadiku is a business management professional with over 20 years of experience as a steel trader. He lives in London, England. He holds a BA in Business Management from the University of Westminster, England.
Working as a senior steel trader, Jeton Sadiku worked for Bel & Steel Ltd. and was responsible for steel sales on behalf of the Belon Group, Novosisbirsk, as well as the introduction of new customer and supply base to the company. From 2001, he has worked as the global head of trading and acted as a board member for the Core Group of Companies. He is in charge of trading steel globally, with volumes of two million tonnes per year, with annual sales of $800 million USD.
Throughout his career, Jeton Sadiku has had the unique opportunity to learn the transaction of international business through personal contact with clients, senior managers, and directors. His experience gives him the confidence to negotiate with people from all over the world.
Jeton Sadiku is also an avid skier and music lover. He also appreciates good food and wine.
1. Why did you decide to create your own business?
Having worked from graduation in the steel business, it was a natural move for me to go on my own and set up my own trading house.
2. What do you love most about the industry you are in?
Steel is the oldest Industry in the world and its old school. You move physical product and what I love the most is that you deal with people on daily basis and have the same customers for last 25 years. You become part of their business and family. It feels very rewarding.
3. What does a typical day consist of for you?
I start the day always 5 a.m. After I have my run, I always like to be in my desk by 6:30 a.m. My work day usually starts with calls with Asia and the Middle East. By about lunch time, the focus then shifts to South America. I finish my day usually after 7 p.m.
4. What keeps you motivated?
My people, their trust and loyalty and relentless hard work and commitment.
5. How do you motivate others?
I believe in leading by example, showing loyalty and rewarding success.
6. How has your company grown from its early days to now?
Like every other business, we had our ups and downs but most importantly, the company today is where I imagined it would be, globally recognized and respected with a presence in every continent and big enough to move markets.
7. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspiration from my parents and my family. Having seen how they feel proud with my success drives me even more.
8. Who has been a role model to you and why?
Winston Churchill has always been a role model to me. He never gave up.
9. How do you maintain a solid work life balance?
This is difficult because I tend to work seven days a week but I always make sure I spend most of summer with my wife and kids sailing.
10. What traits do you possess that makes a successful leader?
Having the ability to lead means seeing an opportunity when other see impossibility, creating and growing, and having the vision that other trust and follow.
11. What suggestions do you have for someone starting in your industry?
Never give up.
12. What has been the hardest obstacle you’ve overcome?
The fallout after the 2008 financial crisis was tough. We had to reinvent ourselves and start over and it took quite few years, but we are back today where I always wanted to be.
13. What is one piece of advice that you have never forgotten?
Believe anything is possible and take flying leaps into the unknown.
14. What is your biggest accomplishment?
My biggest accomplishment is being recognized by my peers as a leader in our Industry.
15. What is the biggest life lesson you have learned?
Always choose your friends wisely.
16. Outside of work, what defines you as a person?
My desire to always share with my close friends and family and my generosity.
17. Where do you see you and your company in 5 years?
I want to be a global leader, growing to $3 billion USD a year turnover.
18. Explain the proudest day of your professional life.
Other than of course when my children were born, in my work the proudest day was when I was asked to be a speaker by EBRD (European bank for reconstruction and development) in Istanbul in 2013.