FORUM SYNOPSIS:
VivaCell
On July 18th, Birthright Armenia volunteers visited VivaCell where General Manager Mr. Ralph Yirikian made a presentation about the company, its goals, achievements and plans for future.
Viva Cell is part of K Telecom CJSC which was granted a license in November 2004 to operate the second mobile communication network in the Republic of Armenia and within seven months, on July 1, 2005, the company launched its network. Today, the company boasts over 1 million active subscribers.
“VivaCell’s mission is to provide the highest possible customer satisfaction by applying personalized service, cutting-edge technologies and pursuing innovative marketing approaches. We are determined to take the lead in the field and be an exemplary mobile communications operator in the region” Mr. Yirikian said. For that reason VivaCell is cooperating with such well-known companies as Erickson and others. “But even if you have the best equipment in the world you won’t be able to perform good work without your employees. And we try to create special conditions for our employees so that they would have motivation to dedicate themselves to their work” he emphasized.
While talking about benefits that the company gives to its employees Mr. Yirikian particularly said that besides overtime payments, medical insurance, vacations and all regular benefits there are some special benefits like for example regular payment for 5 years in case the employee had a baby, a winter heating allowance, education benefits, and other bonuses for marriage, etc.
Mr. Yirikian also talked about different charitable activities that the company continuously implements in such spheres as health, education, environment, education and culture. “We believe that each part of the society must also give back to society, and as part of the private sector we are pioneers in that ideology” he said. So far in 2007, VivaCell has donated about 1.5 million dollars for different charitable projects. The company sponsored the Golden Apricot film festival, organized the renovation of schools in the Armavir region, sponsored tree planting on about 20 acres of land, is a sponsor of the millennium vaccine fund, etc.
On July 2, 2007, VivaCell and UNICEF, the United Nations Children Fund, signed an agreement on launching a huge multi-component project aimed at integrating handicapped children in basic school education. And VivaCell is an equal opportunity employer that specifically aims to hire handicapped employees.
The presentation was followed by a Q&A session, and a tour of the headquarters.
