VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian is the first to receive the “Business Leadership Award”.

Mr. Ralph Yirikian received the award in recognition of exceptional professional excellence and accomplishment, and the demonstration of a clear strategic vision with effective implementation at the organizational and industrial level. 

On Dec. 17, at a special ceremony of honor held at the American University of Armenia, VivaCell-MTS General Manager Ralph Yirikian was awarded the AUA School of Business and Management’s Business Leadership Award. 
A representative committee composed of the faculty, students, alumni and external stakeholders of the AUA voted to recognize Mr. Yirikian as the first recipient of this Award. 
The AUA Business Leadership Award was established by the AUA School of Business and Management. This is an annual award with the following selection criteria for the nominee: 
A notable level of professional excellence and accomplishment Demonstration of a clear strategic vision with effective implementation at the organizational or industrial level
Institutionalization of policies and practices within the organization, resulting in significant improvement in the quality of work life Adherence to corporate ethics and responsibility
Significant contribution to the alignment of the model of the organization with sustainable business practices Commitment and service to the community at large in significant and meaningful ways. 
The award was presented to Mr. Yirikian by Dr. Bruce Boghosian, President of AUA, and Mr. Eric Guevorkian, interim dean of the School of Business and Management. After the official award ceremony, at the request of Mr Guevorkian, Mr. Yirikian presented his vision of the effective business leader: “One can list hundreds of preconditions of effective business leadership – such as being able to sense the thirst of the market, gathering a good team of professionals and becoming its engine, ability to bring together breakthrough ideas, understanding industry trends, and commitment to innovation and keeping up with R&D, etc. No doubt, all of them are necessary but yet insufficient conditions for creating a sustainable business model. Yet the true leadership is leadership by example. And it’s not limited to new business behavior and approaches being successfully institutionalized and ingrained across all levels of the Company. As a team we share the belief that we have to roll out our successful business model further across the whole business community in Armenia. If we could create a business and make a success story out of it, so can you. VivaCell-MTS is a living example that could not have been achieved without the efforts of our VivaCell-MTS family members. We have an obligation to share with all Armenians the prosperity we see in our homeland and the potential of its growth,” concluded Mr. Yirikian. 
To note, VivaCell-MTS (K-Telecom CJSC) is Armenia’s leading mobile operator, having the widest 2G/3.5G/4G network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people interest at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time VivaCell-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. VivaCell-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. For more information, visit www.vivacell.am