"We want to inspire others and show that nothing is impossible," — CEO of Growave on global trends and the company's role in the future

We continue discussing plans with IT leaders from Central Asia. Our next guest is Eldar Galiev, CEO of Growave. He shared insights on the importance of flexibility and rapid adaptation in times of change, as well as the company’s strategies for achieving efficiency and resilience.

Eldar Galiev, City — Bishkek, SAAS, CEO Growave, LinkedIn

On Global Changes and Trends

Only two things have fundamentally changed.

First, during periods of crisis and global upheaval, it is extremely important to remain flexible and adapt quickly. Dynamics play a key role, especially when everything is changing rapidly. If a company fails to adapt to new conditions, its market position suffers significantly. We have learned from our own experience that times of change bring numerous opportunities, but missing them can lead to substantial losses. In the past, we encountered situations where insufficient speed in adaptation cost us missed opportunities. Now, as soon as we notice new trends or changes, we react immediately, without lengthy discussions or overthinking.

Second, it is about company resilience. It is essential to always maintain a good safety margin — both financially and in terms of resources and capabilities. External events can seriously impact profitability and growth, a fact that became particularly evident after the pandemic, during periods of inflation and economic crisis.

On New Challenges

The key factor for companies today is the ability to adapt to rapid changes. New technologies, especially AI and applied AI, are fundamentally changing market dynamics. Companies that implement them can move faster, create innovative products, and solve old problems in entirely new ways.  

The first challenge is the ability to adjust to these changes and experiment with new technologies. It is important not just to keep up with the market but also to strive for leading positions.  

The second important aspect is the changed expectations of investors and the market as a whole. The crisis has significantly affected the perception of startups and business ideas. Today, it is critically important how resilient and profitable a company is, because during the crisis, many startups burst like soap bubbles.  

Simply growing is no longer enough. Companies must become as efficient as possible. If previously turnover or user base metrics could serve as proof of success, profitability and business sustainability are now the main criteria.

On the Role of New Technologies

IT technologies significantly influence the efficiency of our work, including marketing and other processes. They allow us to do more and better, and we actively integrate them into the work of all our teams and departments.

Looking to the future, it is especially important how we will integrate these technologies into our product. This will help us stand out in the market and offer a unique value proposition using modern solutions.

On the Employees of the Future

It is becoming increasingly clear that AI and new technologies have significantly changed the very nature of work, especially for specialists in our industry — from marketers to product managers and engineers. Today, many tasks can be delegated to AI, allowing for greater output. In this context, the most crucial skill is the ability to quickly acquire new knowledge and apply it effectively in one’s work.

On the Impact of Global Trends on Company Strategy

Regarding the impact of global trends on company strategy, it has remained unchanged. If a company is integrated into the global economy and has become part of it, it feels all changes directly. We monitor trends, study them, and constantly adapt in response to changes in the overall market.

On the Company’s Role in the Future

Growave is a product for clients and merchants working on Shopify; we are heavily dependent on the direction in which Shopify is moving and the markets it is expanding into.

Given current trends in online commerce, we are focusing on the North American and European markets. The peculiarity of Europe is that this market is currently growing rapidly, while Shopify already holds strong positions in North America, so we aim to strengthen our presence in these markets.

We are also monitoring the development of Southeast Asia, which is growing by leaps and bounds. Although Shopify’s share in this region is still small, we are closely watching it.

There is no bureaucracy in our company — if a team sees an opportunity to apply a new technology, it can use it. This has always been the case, but now we have become more selective in our approach. We do not strive to implement technologies for the sake of technology; instead, we try to use those that truly simplify life, optimize processes, or open up new opportunities.

What the Company Will Be Like in 10 Years

The changes that have occurred in recent years have shown that thinking in decades is no longer useful. Everything is changing too quickly. Therefore, if we look at the foreseeable future, we can at least speculate on what events might happen in the next three to five years and how strongly they might affect us.

Looking at the company’s future within this timeframe, we see it as a dynamically developing organization and one of the leaders in its niche. We intend to strengthen our positions in the vertical where we have already become a strong player and expand it to become part of a larger conglomerate. We want to become part of the global consolidation processes in the online commerce market, where major players acquire smaller ones. This is a natural process for a mature market, and our goal is to play our role in this movement.

Regarding the company’s role in society and the industry, our primary objective is to be an example. We want to inspire others and show that nothing is impossible. Even if you are surrounded by an environment lacking advanced technologies, where much seems unattainable, you can create a globally successful product. A product used by hundreds of millions of people worldwide and trusted by major companies and brands. 

We strive to be an example for people who limit their ambitions and do not believe they can achieve success in difficult conditions. This message drives my team and me forward.

What the Leader of the Future Should Be Like

An important factor for success in the context of rapidly changing technologies is team autonomy and complete freedom of action. New technologies require quick understanding and implementation, which in turn directly affects how quickly a company can leverage these technologies to stay ahead of competitors and achieve greater results.

In large corporations with bureaucracy, rigid structures, and long decision-making processes, all of this slows down development. Therefore, in the context of technology management and business decisions, the level of team autonomy and their freedom to make decisions without excessive restrictions becomes critically important.

This is especially relevant for senior and middle management, as the speed of adaptation and the company’s success in the face of technological changes largely depend on these levels.