- Mentoring at Foodcom S.A. accelerates adaptation and professional development for new traders.
- Akif Rustamov uses personalized strategies to effectively support his mentees.
- The mentoring program enhances confidence, skills, and readiness for changing market conditions.
Mentoring is a process of support and knowledge transfer that’s key to professional development at all levels of an organization. It’s a strategic partnership where experienced people share their knowledge and skills to support others in their development. In the trade industry where speed of adaptation and deep market knowledge is required, mentoring is not just a personal development tool but a way to build stronger, more competent teams.
As a mentor, Akif Rustamov, Head of New Business Development at Foodcom, shows how mentoring can work for new traders. During his career he has helped many to succeed and he is a source of inspiration and support in the world of commodities. Thanks to him his mentees avoid common mistakes, adapt faster to the market and get results that translate into real business outcomes.
What were your initial steps at Foodcom S.A., and how did your role evolve before you became a mentor?
Akif: I started as a Junior Trader at Foodcom S.A. and joined a team of experienced professionals and young adepts. Initially, I had difficulties finding my way around the processes. But a week before the end of my trial period, I was introduced to Łukasz. His clear explanations changed my approach: from my background in the events industry, where I was used to being very polite, I became more direct and focused on trading. That was the key.
What changed for you after you got clarity in your role?
Akif: After those first pivotal three months, I began leveraging my understanding of the processes to sell and push products effectively. I remember making significant profits on Lysine HCL, MCP, and Hydrochloric Acid due to market shortages. About 8 to 10 months into my role, I was promoted to Senior Trader. I then started to support new colleagues informally, sharing what worked for me.
Benefits for the mentee
Mentoring brings many benefits to the mentee. In the environment where the pressure to react fast is huge, having an experienced mentor can speed up the learning and adaptation process. This includes the technical side of trading and soft skills like negotiation and stress management.
Having a mentor who provides support, encouragement and constructive feedback builds confidence. Mentees who feel more confident in their skills will take the initiative and challenge themselves which is key in the trade industry.
Mentoring is not only direct skill development, but also the entire career path of a trader. Individuals who have had the support of a mentor often achieve sales success faster, are better equipped to deal with market challenges and more flexible in adapting to changing trading conditions.The impact of mentoring on a trader’s career can be long term and help them achieve better sales results and manage client relationships better.
So mentoring became a big part of your role. Can you walk us through that?
Akif: Yes, after about a year, I began mentoring officially. I started with one mentee, Marcelo, and gradually took on more. I focused on ensuring they were successful, providing them with clear, actionable advice. This created a supportive culture in our team. Then the company structured my role into a formal training position where I’d guide new traders through their first deals.
Mentoring strategies used by Akif
As an experienced mentor Akif uses many different strategies to get the best out of new traders. His methods are varied and tailored to each individual mentee to get the best results.
Akif emphasizes personalization. He knows each mentee is different and has different goals so he tailors his approach to each mentee’s personal and professional goals. This personalization increases the mentee’s engagement and accelerates their development.
How do you tailor your mentoring to your mentees?
Akif: I use a three step learning process: understanding the product, researching companies and developing calling skills. Each person is different so I adjust my approach based on their personality and motivation. It’s about finding the right way to communicate and encourage them, to keep them motivated and engaged.
Through these methods Akif’s mentees adapt to the trade industry, deal with its challenges and achieve great professional success. With practical tasks, personalized attention and constructive feedback, mentees develop technical skills and soft skills such as time, stress management and interpersonal communication.
What’s your top goal when mentoring new traders?
Akif: My main objective is to build trust and create a supportive environment. They need to feel confident and know what’s expected. I believe in being present, listening actively and ensuring they’re prepared to succeed in their roles. We’re constantly refining our approach to make it adaptable and supportive.
Mentoring is a big part of a mentee’s professional development. Working with an experienced mentor like Akif gives ongoing support, skills but also shapes the mentee’s future career paths. We have highlighted how mentoring:
- Boosts mentee confidence and decision making.
- Builds key soft skills.
- Gets them ready for changing market scenarios.
These benefits translate into increased effectiveness and professional success for the mentee, which impacts the entire organization.|
Looking to kickstart your career in the trade industry?
Foodcom S.A. is the place for you to excel. By joining us as a Junior Commodity Trader you will have the opportunity to learn from experienced mentors like Akif Rustamov who will help you develop professionally. Our mentoring program is designed to build your confidence and equip you with the skills to navigate the commodity trading world. Apply now and start with a company that will help you grow.
