Alexander Sapov is the Co-Founder & CEO of GetTransfer.com. He shares his company’s career journey and business pathway in this interview. An enthusiastic entrepreneur with a passion for dependable transport for travellers, learn more about Alexander and GetTransfer.com.
Passion For Information Technology
We asked, “Which career path led you to where you are today?”
As a child, I had developed an extreme curiousness towards information technology. The study of economics and research work in an economics laboratory made me familiar with how the global economic systems work. Diverse analytical skills obtained during my career in the financial industry in addition to marketing knowledge were further enriched by the experience of venturing into investments with a valuable understanding of the fast-paced modern economy. According to Alexander, the passion for travelling has enabled him to put his knowledge and skills into practice.
We also wanted to know how GetTransfer.com originated, so we asked Alexander, “What inspired you to develop the idea of your company?”
As he continues, “The idea of GetTransfer.com came from our own pain when we needed reliable and not too expensive transport when travelling. We wanted to create a platform that would make it easy for travellers to compare several transport options and choose the best one for their specific needs. Our aim was to simplify finding and booking transportation for trips so that travellers wouldn’t have to struggle with finding a transfer when they arrive at their destination.”
Then we asked, “How have your priorities in terms of business evolved since you first started?”
When we first launched GetTransfer.com, the focus was first and foremost to get the business off the ground. This meant rapidly scaling up sales and marketing the product as well as building the customer base. But as the business has grown so too have the goals, which now include ensuring the long-term viability of sustaining a business model as well as being able to grow our operations beyond emerging markets, not to mention continuing to introduce new products and services that will help us achieve the competitive edge. I therefore also work towards an innovation and collaboration culture in my team through training and development of my people and creating open and inclusive environments for ideas and discussions. There is indeed a guarantee that the team will perform well and achieve what they set out to do.
Every business has experienced or is experiencing some kind of problem. So we also wanted to know what is the major problem that GetTransfer.com has confronted with.
Overcoming Challenges
We asked, “What are the most challenging situations that your company overcomes?”
Says Alexander, “The pandemic in the context of Covid-19 has thrown all sorts of challenges, making the markets fluctuate, currency unstably moving, and dissatisfaction among drivers through high rates of commissions charged by global service providers. Lockdowns eased, lockdowns were alleviated, and this opened up travel, exploration, and renewed journeys, but on a limited level still”. Many hurdles face optimism and business growth in the economy and the personal difficulties faced, integrated labour markets, and regional disparities in this increasingly complex and unpredictable business environment. Notwithstanding this, the modern service market presents opportunities for overcoming these obstacles.
Leveraging Advanced Technologies For Uniqueness
Our next question was, “What makes your company stand out from all the other businesses in your industry?”
At GetTransfer.com, we are focused on providing the best experience for all our drivers and passengers, including the utilisation of advanced algorithms and AI technologies through the platform for excellent service. Our service offers easily accessible transportation solutions by providing access to select destination, date, price, and vehicle type. We are quite confident about our platform offering something for everyone, and we’re trying to make sure that every user finds something suitable, he said.
Technology Adaptation and guide for Newbies
Technological boom is happening these days, and several businesses are utilising it to evolve themselves while adapting to market trends. So, we also discussed it with Alexander to see if his business uses technology or not.
Do you stay updated with the new technologies and the industry trends?
He asserts: “Success is all about being abreast with the latest technologies and trends. I attend seminars and workshops on anything relating to the subject areas, read the articles of other experts and thought leaders, and follow them on social media sites to learn and stay ahead of the curve. I also keep in touch with our customers and partners so they can give their own insights regarding any new changes.”. I also tend to follow newsletters and blogs that keep me updated on the latest in this field. I also make an effort to do a lot of reading on my own. In this way, I can stay ahead of the curve and also make informed decisions for our business.
Lastly, we asked him, “What advice would you like to share with potential first-time entrepreneurs?”
He says at the end, “To start-up entrepreneurs, I would say focus on delivering a great customer experience. Understand and know what your clients want and need. And provide the product or service that delivers against that requirement.”. For instance, one needs to keep track of the trends in your field. Also, it is very important to learn flexibility and to adapt whenever there is a need to do so. In the end, one needs to build a strong team of people who share one’s vision and are passionate about what you are doing. It ensures the success and growth of your business.
