On March 19, the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) hosted the presentation of the book “Principles of Resilience: How Farmak Has Been Building a Successful and Sustainable Business for a Century in Times of Growing Uncertainty”, published to mark the company’s 100th anniversary. The author is economic journalist Oleksandr Kramarenko.
The book explores Farmak’s development across different stages of Ukraine’s history, highlighting the key management decisions that have shaped the company’s current growth trajectory. It brings together practical examples of business approaches, crisis management, and long-term development, as well as personal stories and insights from the team.
The presentation took the form of an open discussion with KSE students and faculty and was structured as a series of practical lessons for building a successful business:
• Invest in your team — people are the foundation of resilience, expertise, and competitive advantage.
• Act systematically — without structure, processes, and discipline, it is impossible to avoid chaos and ensure growth.
• Build a strategy — it is essential, but must remain flexible and evolve alongside the business.
• Reinvest in development — continuous investment drives growth; lack of it leads to lost positions.
• Focus on quality — a product or service must meet high standards from day one; there may be no second chance.
• Stay adaptable — the ability to change is critical for resilience and business survival.
• Do not be afraid to make decisions — mistakes are inevitable; what matters is learning and moving forward.
• Think ahead — turn market needs into new business opportunities.
• Build your reputation — deliver on promises and make responsible decisions.
• Commit to continuous learning — team development and knowledge are the foundation of long-term success.
The discussion extended beyond the topics covered in the book, addressing questions that remained behind the scenes. In particular, participants spoke about unrealized projects, the reasons for abandoning certain initiatives, and the balance between professional growth and personal life.
The presentation featured Filia Zhebrovska, Chair of the Supervisory Board of Farmak; Volodymyr Kostyuk, CEO of Farmak; Hryhorii Kostyuk, Member of the Supervisory Board; Mykhailo Vanat, Marketing and Sales Director; Yevheniia Piddubna, Director of Corporate Communications; and Oleksandr Kramarenko, the author of the book.
“Do not be afraid to surround yourself with strong people. They have their own perspectives, which may not always align with yours—and that is valuable. It is precisely these differing viewpoints that create space for constructive discussion and better decisions. A strong team brings new ideas, asks challenging questions, and helps you see the bigger picture. A company cannot be truly resilient if a leader is surrounded only by those who are unwilling to challenge or offer alternative opinions,” said Filia Zhebrovska during the presentation.
The event generated strong interest among students, who actively engaged in the discussion, asked questions, and explored practical aspects of building careers and businesses.
The book “Principles of Resilience: How Farmak Has Been Building a Successful and Sustainable Business for a Century in Times of Growing Uncertainty” is available to everyone via the link.
