Atasu People: From New Hire to the Head of Tashkent Branchover 13 years

Bayan Nurtayeva, the head of the Atasu Group’s branch in Tashkent, is in the game since 2013.

Thirteen years ago, Bayan’s workday always began with the same question: How many wagons are currently at the station? And how many are on the client’s siding? She heard this question every morning and had to give a precise answer. No estimates, only concrete facts about every wagon.

At that point, she had just joined the Atasu team. She knew nothing about logistics: how to read railway waybills, the difference between a dispatch and a connecting stations. That year, Atasu was actively hiring new staff, so someone close to Bayan encouraged her to apply. And she did. She accepted the offer and has been working here for over thirteen years.

Soon after, she was assigned with her first client and worked with them under the supervision of her mentor. Today, Bayan recalls those days with ease, but one can imagine how hard it was for a newcomer to answer the question which may cost a real client their money and cargo.

“At first, I thought it was impossible to keep tabs on everything at once. Over time, it became clear to me that you need systematic approach towards this job: data from dispatch and destination stations don’t give you a full picture; therefore, you should always pay attention to what is happening to each wagon. This is often where the answer lies.

While traveling, a wagon undergoes lots of operations: it is received, uncoupled, rerouted, and inspected. When you consider only the starting and the finishing points of the route, you may overlook the reason for the delay. Bayan learned to find it before the client even asks.

She still recalls her first client with gratitude. Managing their transportation, she mastered her craft. It was then when she realized that logistics is her calling and she wants to pursue it.

She has witnessed how Tashkent branch has evolved from a modest division into a key regional hub for international transportation. Today, her team coordinates transportation between Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries on a scale that would have seemed impossible a decade ago. Over the same period, Atasu Group continued to grow: the company launched new terminals, gained global presence and expanded its workforce.

When asked what hasn't changed, Bayan doesn’t hesitate: “The people”. She still feels the same warmth and support she experienced on her first day. Now, it is her turn to meet new employees. At such moments, Bayan recalls herself thirteen years ago and works alongside each new employee until they can confidently answer how many wagons are at the station.

Bayan highly appreciates two qualities in people: responsibility and willingness to learn. Everything else comes with experience, she believes.

Thirteen years ago, she asked her mentors questions. Now, she is the one who gives answers.