How GSM-Forsage managed to adapt to the conditions of war

How did GSM-Forsage manage to adapt to the conditions of war? Roman Nikitovych, the head of the company, tells the story

The past years have certainly tested the business for sustainability. So it seemed that the owners of the companies were ready for anything, but no one expected a full-scale war. It became a serious challenge that required balanced but quick decisions.

The head of the GSM-Forsage company, Roman Nikitovych, shares his own experience and tells how the company managed to survive and improve its work during the war.

The first weeks of the war

No one understood how long the war would drag on and what the scale would be, so at first they decided to concentrate on internal communication. It was necessary to calm down the team, because people began to panic. So, first of all, we took care of the safety of our employees. To save the team, they did everything possible, including providing financial support to each employee.

Most of our warehouses are located in the western part of Ukraine (Chernivtsi, Kolomyia, Kamianets-Podilskyi, Lviv), where it was relatively safer, but we have a warehouse in Kyiv, which was under frequent fire in the first month. Therefore, a decision was made to relocate the Kyiv employees to Chernivtsi for their safety, together with the goods from the warehouse.

At the beginning, there was almost no work, because our clients are service centers and workshops that did not work for a certain period. That's why we focused on helping. Already in the first week of the war, we gathered from our warehouses and purchased the necessary devices (power supplies, Power Banks, chargers, adapters and telephones) and handed them over to equip the military units of territorial defense.

Adjustment of work processes

Thanks to COVID, we learned to work remotely, so we did not have to make significant changes to work processes. We did not change the management principles. Priorities change, depending on the need to achieve certain goals.

For the first two months, we shipped goods only from 2 warehouses: Chernivtsi and Lviv, because we moved the Kyiv warehouse and employees to Chernivtsi.

Initially, when our clients had not yet intensified their activities, we had a small volume of work and a rather large team of employees. So it was decided that the employees would go to the warehouses alternately. Thus, they did not lose their skills and all were able to earn. We worked in this mode for about a month and a half, until we reached higher sales volumes.

Over time, our clients began to open their workshops. Some, even thanks to moral support from our managers. And already in May, we were able to raise the salaries of all employees who work at our ponds.

About helping the country and clients during the war

We wanted to help our clients who have been out of work since March. Therefore, they launched a large-scale advertising campaign for the repair of mobile equipment, targeted at the whole of Ukraine. And we pass on repair applications to our customers free of charge to this day.

In addition, we helped find employment for five clients who were forced to move from the east to safer cities in the west of Ukraine.

From our team, three employees protect Ukraine on the front line. Back on February 25, we went with one of them to the military commissariat to register. He was immediately taken to the Armed Forces, and I was told: "Work and pay taxes." You will be more useful here."

So we follow the order and continue working. In addition, we will donate to the Serhiy Prytula and "Return Alive" charitable foundations. We collected humanitarian aid and medicines and personally, several times, took them in our transport to the Vinnytsia military hospital to the burn and ENT department, where our boys from the front are being treated. They helped the humanitarian center Olympia in Chernivtsi by providing them with food, hygiene products and other necessary things.

From the very first days, when there was a shortage of armored vehicles and our employee got to the front line, we made a maximum effort and bought armored vehicles for the entire unit where our employee serves. But the other day, we handed over a car for the Armed Forces, which is already serving our military in Slovyansk.

Achievements and further plans

Thanks to solidarity and joint efforts, we have already managed to reach pre-war indicators. Yes, we never stop improving. Our principle is: "Every day is 1% better than yesterday!".

We understand that we have to consider new options to ensure the viability of our company. So far, the main tasks for actively expanding the geography of the market have already been completed, while it is still in the stage of promotion. As soon as we have a result that can be shown, we will definitely share it.

About own motivation

When my goal is to become the most powerful and successful company on the market in our field, what other motivation do I need?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Roman Nikitovych, head of GSM-Forsage