Anastassia Beliakova – CEO Atlanty Business Community & Managing Partner Add One Touch
Anastassia Beliakova is known for empowering businesses through leadership team development. She looks after the Balanceada project, which is a social project, aimed at raising awareness about work-life balance for entrepreneurs and executives. She has also built Atlanty Business Community for supporting Russian entrepreneurs and business owners in the UAE. She shares various aspects of her work with us in this interview.
Anastassia’s journey as an entrepreneur:
Anastassia shares, “I would say my journey has a few milestones which ‘made me’ and explain my “why”. When I studied in a University I chose to specialize in HR and even got my first job in a recruitment and executive search agency. However, by mere change I was offered to join the team of a 5* hotel in Moscow and I decided to give it chance. This is how my 20+ years journey as a hotelier started. It was amazing time when I travelled a lot, staying in the top hotels worldwide, seeing not only the front, but also the back stage. I was trying to find out how the teams are wired, how are the service levels observed, what makes people to follow the leader. On this journey I met amazing people who were my mentors – sometimes without knowing that. And my esteem for being involved in HR finally got realized, however, in a different and much more conscious format. Back in 2014 I set up Add One Touch, a training and talents development company, which helps businesses to develop their leadership teams.”
“I do believe that each one of the business owners, entrepreneur deserves to have a solid back up and support. We create value add for the society, job places, we support countries’ economies so why don’t we support ourselves by proven tools which help to live a happier life? My journey was a tough one, with lots of ups and downs. So if I may help others to get it accomplished in a more enjoyable format, this would make me happier too.
This is my “why” I guess.”
Her greatest inspiration:
“My greatest inspiration is seeing the results: when the business owner comes back and says: ‘Anastassia, it works! I can see this is a game changer for me and my team!’.
Smiling eyes and faces at the end of a training or a session.
A change in a team leader who did not know where to start and what is expected from him when he starts to sparkle with initiatives, plans and ideas.
Additionally, I am the person who gets motivated by the opportunities to learn more and to develop professionally as well as to instill changes. I managed to find my core talents when you do what you really like – and I help other people to find this match.”
An Impact-ful Leader:
Anastassia shares, “I believe the impact-ful leader is a highly self-aware person, who definitely knows his own talents and capabilities. He is also able to detect those in others. He is empathetic enough to understand how he influences other people. And he is determined and a hard worker, a highly disciplined person. Someone who follows the routine even if no one is watching.”
All About Atlanty Business Community:
“Atlanty has been founded 7 years ago and today represents 1000+ members worldwide. Founded in Moscow, we are a Russian speaking community, however, we focus on helping our members to become ‘glocal’: meet ups with local entrepreneurs, site visits, personal introductions. Like any other community we do a lot of events. However, what makes us different is that those events are aimed at experience exchange. E.g. talking to a Forbes listed entrepreneur to understand his personal strategy, his ‘why’ and ‘how’. Or meeting with an Olympic champion to understand what he is going through in competitions. Or getting a bunch of hand picked subject matter experts to brainstorm on a solution for a challenge that you have.”
“We are open to Russian speaking business owners and top managers who meet formal criteria and comply with admission process. We are also open to any initiatives that may help our members to contribute to local business community, so please feel free to get in touch.”
Advice for Women in Leadership Roles:
Anastassia shares, “I remember the time when I was searching for my first job. It became very obvious that in many cases women are disadvantaged – and this is still the case today, unfortunately, although this is not something that is discussed openly. First you are not hired because you are young, may get married soon and will get kids. Maternity leave, replacement, what a headache… After that you can hardly get a job as the employer expects your kids to get sick every now and then, so better to hire someone else. Finally, you are ‘too old’ and there are younger candidates.”
“I am happy to see the changes in the mentality globally: with special women’s leadership programs, special programs in big corporations, change in parent role perceptions … However, why we are not discussing male leadership as well? It occurs to me the whole discussion about female leadership has inequality in it. Equality starts with equal rights and responsibilities. Yet there are things that women are better on likewise men are better in something else. I assume there must be a reasonable balance in expectations – to which extent this equality would be relevant. Yet, definitely women deserve to get opportunity to build their career without compromising their other roles.”
How to grow and sustain a business of one’s own?
Anastassia states, “Surely you must be prepared to work hard. The best way to succeed is to understand the value that you are giving to the world and how it is aligned with your personal motivation. Until I discovered this for myself I had this feeling of ‘better times are still ahead’. And they are not. Life is happening now. And is built on real events.
Secondly, unless you are taking full responsibility of what you do (and do not do), there is no way to succeed. You will always find the excuses on why you are still not there where you want do be. Volcano eruption, pandemic, economy turmoil … Have a look at Apple. They release new iPhones regardless of anything.
The above is about the mindset.
With regards to the mental: I assume this is a very personal matter where there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answer. Is there a perfect mental condition? You definitely need to take care of yourself and find the way that works for you. For someone this is boxing, for others this is yoga. Yet what I was saying earlier: an impact-ful leader is someone with a high level of self-awareness, and mental health is part of it.”
A memorable experience in her professional journey
Anastassia shares, “I was privileged to talk a few times with an esteemed hotelier, Roberto Wirth, the owner of Hotel Hassler in Rome, coming from an old Italian family who owned this hotel for generations. He was a remarkable person with many awards and acknowledgements. Apart from owning and managing one of the oldest and most luxurious hotels in Rome, he holds honorary doctorate in humane letters, was the founder of Italian Wine Academy and has been awarded numerous wards including Economic Performance Award.”
She continues, “Before meeting him I was astonished to know that he was deaf by birth. Just imagine?! Achieve all of that having this type of disability. You can’t talk on the phone, you may not get information in a way that most people do…you even can not hear your alarm clock!!!”
“When I stayed at his hotel, I noticed how smiling and helpful all the team members are. The service levels were incredible and seemed to be provided with no effort. Next time in Moscow, we had a dinner with Mr. Wirth. I could not resist to ask him, how does he and his ream reach that service level – expecting to hear something about standards, check lists, trainings, etc. But, he said: “I only hire shining people. Even if this is someone who cleans potatoes in the kitchen. The person must be shining. Like this lady” – and he pointed to a wardrobe assistant, a lady who helped us with our coats. She did not say a word, but I could see her sincerely smiling face and kind yes. With no effort. The learning is – hire the right people and never compromise that.”
Her message to the readers:
“I am happy to be part of this project and thank you for this wonderful opportunity to share my story. I would like to wish to everyone, who is on his journey of managing his own business to trust and to believe in yourself. Yes, you can! Don’t forget to enjoy the process in a no lesser way than the results.”
Connect with Anastassia on LinkedIn:
Anastassia Beliakova