III’ Corporate
MAZ Corporate is an Istanbul-based think tank initiative that was founded in 2021.
In a world devoid of patterns, in the postmodern era, we find ourselves amidst a chaotic behavioral and informational environment. Countries and companies are constantly deliberating on the most efficient means of acquiring the necessary information and analysis. To enhance their ability to analyze, which is the crucial phase for gaining a competitive edge in the global arena, corporate structures are striving to perform at their best. However, conducting in-depth analysis goes far beyond what companies and governments can afford with their own organizations. This is where think tanks and analysts continue to play vital roles in fulfilling the research and understanding requirements of states, corporations, and private individuals.
On the other hand, in the current environment, where competition in the realm of research and analysis is growing increasingly diverse and complex by the day, the main trend observed among think tanks is to furnish information to companies, interest groups, and political parties, or to aid in their orientation and information activities. With the ever-expanding use of communication technologies, it has become difficult, if not impossible, to find rational and unbiased information and analysis on any given research subject.
To such an extent that it has now become a part of the global game to manipulate and misdirect even the accepted and reliable data from international organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.
Therefore, we find ourselves involuntarily drifting in a swiftly flowing information pool, where we encounter diverse perspectives from every country, interest group, and company regarding global events. Amidst the convoluted river of guided analysis, manipulated and diverted from all directions, our task is to seek the truth. Here, the fundamental approach that we have acquired through experience, setting MAZ apart, is “monitoring and analyzing divergent viewpoints.” In a world where faith in truth is diminishing day by day in the realm of information, today’s environment necessitates rigorous selection, comparison, and filtering in pursuit of accurate information and analysis.
In other words, we believe that the “need to analyze the analyses” is of utmost importance in establishing a strong position in the future world.
It seems that we have two main reasons:
Firstly, interest groups and governments may feel the need to distort the truth in order to manipulate the perception of reality. However, it is equally true that there are situations where they struggle to convince others despite telling the truth. In other words, within the realm of information, distortion exists not only from the sender but also from the receiver.
The second reason is that the information or analysis circulating in the vast pool reaches the reader or follower through multiple intervening channels. The environment is replete with analyses accompanied by claims, errors, intentions, desires, and aspirations. Hence, it is crucial for readers like you to comprehend and elucidate the “story of information in the pool,” while also distinguishing disinformation and misinformation.
MAZ Corporate strives to liberate customers from the exhausting search vortex. Its objective is to provide clarified questions and answers about the nature of truth by utilizing multiple perspectives. The goal is not to flatter, but rather to assist in resolving potential issues and propel you forward with distinctive foresight.
So How?
- MAZ will not engage in “deception” or “misleading” of data in any of its studies. Instead, it will scrutinize the data and question its interpretations, aiming to guide you towards the truth rather than confirming your basic intuitive convictions.
- To the greatest extent possible, MAZ will adhere to its own approach of “Hyperrealist Analysis.” This means that MAZ will provide its customers with comprehensive and critical studies.
In-depth research, in essence, entails not only conducting “qualitative and quantitative analysis,” but also delving into research efforts that are “meaningful,” “significant,” “multifaceted,” and “relational.”
Critical analysis, in its broadest sense, involves the act of critiquing the prevailing opinions when deemed necessary. It involves identifying “weak texts” and excluding them from the scope of study. It specifically targets the “biased” and “directive” remarks made by interest groups, offering criticism where warranted.
- States, institutions, and companies falling within the category of emerging and middle powers will form a significant focus area of MAZ’s work. It will strive to assist these emerging and developing powers in effectively adapting their institutions to the evolving world.
- Given the impossibility of a perfect pattern in a world characterized by ever-changing frameworks, those with limited power will prioritize short and medium-term recovery rather than long-term strategies. While our aspirations may encompass ruling the entire world, it all begins with effectively managing ourselves and our local environment.
- MAZ aims to develop an “influence meter” in the medium term—a functional instrument for measuring potential pressure, akin to a barometer. It endeavors to devise innovative approaches that integrate art and modern visual communication applications into data visualization, aiming for unique and distinct outcomes.
- MAZ will publish various reports and analyses. The distinguishing features of original MAZ works are as follows:
Fundamental Analysis Units:
- What is being said? (We provide diverse perspectives and opinions)
- What is happening? (We present news and official data, if available)
- Advanced Analysis (This constitutes the core of our work) So, how do we approach it?
- Compare data
We will strive to uncover the qualitative relationship between “guiding the reader” and “priority and sensitivity.”
For instance, MAZ will confront analyses such as “The trade volume of fruit juice between Yemen and Oman threatens the stability of the Gulf economy” or “The natural gas reserves of Eritrea impact foreign exchange rates in Germany” on a more effective and analytical platform.
Is it an asymmetrical achievement or merely an act of misdirection?
- He will expose any deficiencies and logical errors, if present.
- Just as a country that struggles to address its own internal security issues may exert a remarkable influence on a geographically distant country.
- He will identify instances of exaggeration and underestimation. The most significant aspect that makes MAZ “effective” is its commitment to avoiding overestimating or underestimating the power of any actor. It strengthens its hyperrealist argument by unveiling the intentions behind directional analyses, exaggerations, and underestimations.
- He will develop short, medium, and long-term projections.
- MAZ will generate possible scenarios (Scenario 1, 2, 3, 4, 5) and unveil their potential outcomes when necessary.
Advanced Analysis will primarily focus on “analyzing the analyses.”
Through this process, it will uncover compelling insights that provide a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the underlying dynamics, even in cases where they may seem logical and reasonable in a broad sense.
This approach forms the core feature of the reports, which have been designed with this objective in mind.
Continuing, MAZ
- For instance, MAZ will extensively highlight asymmetrical advantages or disadvantages when necessary. It will address tactical rivalries and strategic maneuvers, particularly in the Scenarios section, to emphasize these asymmetries. Economic, military, political, or ideological superiorities play a crucial role in gaining a better contextual understanding.
- MAZ will thoroughly scrutinize and evaluate information irrespective of its ideology, government affiliation, or source. In a world where the reliability of information is increasingly compromised, MAZ will not shy away from addressing this issue and continuously generate ideas on the subject of knowledge and information in the human mind.
MAZ aims to assist customers in enhancing the quality of decision-making and the ability to influence through organizational and behavioral recommendations concerning the use of force.
- It will provide “behavioral suggestions” regarding the use of force, such as investing in a better understanding of regional countries, recognizing that improving economic relations necessitates field research alongside diplomatic negotiations, and facilitating the management of intermittent or sustained tensions in power dynamics.
- It will put forward “institutional recommendations” pertaining to the use of force. For instance, integrating soft power elements within the foreign policy institutions of a rising country, consolidating dispersed means of influence, implementing strict financial resource controls, establishing institutional units for comparative analysis of success criteria and regular reporting (e.g., personnel performance tracking), maintaining strict budget and labor discipline, and continuously monitoring the relationship between power supply and usage in response to ongoing tensions.
In a world characterized by intense competition, MAZ will address the customers’ needs with “Smart Power Scenarios.”
- The company aims to present the relationship between Operational Capability and Influence in a fresh and innovative format known as “Smart Power Scenarios.” This approach offers a critical perspective, particularly relevant for middle and regional powers.
- Additionally, MAZ continues to approach its analyses by asking the right questions from multiple angles in order to refine its focus. Asking pertinent and versatile questions in an analysis is more crucial than finding average answers. Hence, MAZ endeavors to shed light on the intricate details, just like getting closer to the pixels in a photograph increases the reality. Seeing the truth is not as straightforward as it may appear.
- Since popular analyses primarily rely on news sources, they tend to perceive problems based on the prevailing “wind of direction.” Consequently, they often experience interpretive drifts in the medium and long term. Conversely, analysts who strive for truth utilize diverse perspectives to verify and observe changes, resulting in a significantly lower rate of interpretive drift compared to popular journalistic commentaries.
However, it is crucial for institutions to minimize the impact of drifting, particularly for medium-sized and regional actors.
- Therefore, MAZ operates as a “center of excellence for emerging powers.”
- MAZ safeguards decision-makers from guided argumentation, marking it as the company’s foremost and distinctive endeavor. It aids in uncovering the connection between analysis and reality. The company’s pursuit lies in the Truth rather than international gossip and speculations.
- In a world where arguments often involve mixing four truths and one falsehood, MAZ functions as a research center that focuses on “what we do not know” rather than what we already know. It is an institution dedicated to consistently asking questions and exploring areas for which we may be unprepared.
MAZ Corporate works diligently to provide you with accurate and comprehensive information. Our aim is to enhance the quality of your decision-making process through robust foresights and to equip you with the confidence to face upcoming challenges.
It is a unique and innovative think tank initiative based in Istanbul.
Thank you.
Muhammet Ali Zurnaci, Istanbul
16/09/2021 – 21:58