Atif Kamran Opening Statement
When the call came through that I had been shortlisted as a finalist in the Businessman of the Year category at the British Muslim Awards 2017, I was surprised and honoured. I have looked through past nominees and winners, and it is incredibly humbling to be a part of such esteemed and world-renowned Muslims making such a significant impact on our society.
Click here to watch a short video presentation
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Humble beginnings Life for me has not always been a bed of roses. From the very beginning, I was taught that the only way to succeed was through hard work. My dad and I were incredibly close; he was the person who taught me how important hard work is. His death, when I was just 14, was a difficult time; he was my mentor, the person I would share everything with. He also strongly believed in honesty, and it is these two main teachings that I have always applied to everything I have done in life. My very first job, whilst I was living in Pakistan, was working as an apprentice computer engineer. This was the start of my professional life so I put all my energy and effort into ensuring I did a great job. During the first three months, I did not get paid, and I then came to learn that this company would always hire new apprentices every three months, as old ones would leave due to not being paid. I refused to let this demotivate me, as I knew that hard work would always get rewarded. My second job taught me more about patience and that your own personal achievements won’t always be appreciated by everyone. I became a certified trainer at a well-known computer science institute in Pakistan. I applied my dad’s teachings and worked hard, which saw me rise quickly within two years. However, due to office politics and jealousy, I ended up being fired. At this point, I took stock of my life and looked at the experiences I had gone through, I thought about what they had taught me, and more importantly, what I wanted from my life and career.
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This is when I found Direct Selling. I realised that with this industry, I could unleash my true potential and be in charge of my own business. The rewards would depend on me; on how much work I did and how much I could inspire and lead the people around me. I have been within the Direct Selling industry for over 15 years; I have built up teams of over 40 thousand and 6 million people in my first and second Direct Selling companies respectively. I have seen many ups and downs; companies destroyed due to internal politics and jealousy, I have seen people being treated not based on their skills and experience but race and nepotism. I have also seen people changing their lives by working hard and being true to their values. I once walked over four hours from London Victoria to meet a client because I had no money for the train or in my account. I remember on that journey telling myself with each step, one day I will tell the tales of this journey, one day this will have been worth it. And it was. I created LEO together with my friend and business partner Dan Andersson because I wanted other budding entrepreneurs like me to have the right platform to help them. I wanted to give them access to personal development courses and the training that had changed my life. I understood about hard work, but I needed to create something that would reward them for their hard work. That is why we came up with the concept of Learn, Earn, Own. LEO gives me the opportunity to work closely with like-minded people, and help them to achieve their goals and dreams. It reinforces one of our core values – ‘There is greatness inside everyone.’
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Timeline
European Training Manager - TIENS Europe GmbH A Chinese multinational Direct Selling company with subsidiaries in over 120 countries and over 5,000 employees. Main product range: Nutrition & health care devices. The largest Direct Selling company in China. Established in 1995.
Manager & lecturer Computer Hardware Dept - Super Tech Institute of Computer Sciences.
1999 1979
Born in Pakistan
A well-known and reputable computer institute in Pakistan. Providing computer education in Government and private sector for 15 years. Atif set up the computer hardware department, designed and organised teaching modules, assessments and exams. Established innovative and effective marketing methods to promote the courses to over 1,000 students per
Computer Engineer Electro Sales Ltd Sole trader of “Acer Computers” in Pakistan with branch offices in over 15 cities. Authorised dealer for sales and after sales services, major clients were Askari bank, Habib bank and UBL bank.
Independent Distributor - BizNas A UAE based Direct Selling Company with subsidiaries in 25 countries. Having more than 800,000 Independent Distributors and 200 employees. Products include online web services & computer education. Major markets including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Russia, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh.
2000
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2005
A Singapore based multinational Direct Selling Company with business in over 150 countries having more than 12 million Independent Distributors and 110 employees. Social Community & travel products; major markets included China, Hungary, Sweden, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Hong Kong and Slovenia.
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Atif built a field network of over 40,000 Independent Distributors that operated out of over 10 countries. Received the “Best Trainer Award” for the year 2004. Was the quickest Diamond achiever in the company and achieved monthly turnover of over half a million US$.
2010
Independent Distributor Vice President - SiteTalk social community
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2002
Atif trebled UK sales by introducing recruitment, communications and training campaigns. Launched the “Train the Trainer” leadership development programme, designed new training systems for the field leaders and enhanced field communication with monthly newsletters and other communication channels. Atif was a key member of the team that organised a number of events across the UK and Europe.
Whilst working as an Independent Distributor with SiteTalk, Atif built a field network of over 6 million Independent Distributors that operated out of over 50 countries in Asia, Middle East, Africa and Europe. Atif built the largest sales organisation in the shortest time and achieved monthly turnover of over two million Euros.
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Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer - Learning Enterprises Organisation Ltd
LEO Annual Conference - US Market Launch - Launch of LEOcrowd
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LEO is a global organisation with over 250,000 Customers and Members in over 200 countries around the globe. LEO sells personal and professional development training products that help people learn new skills to excel in their personal and professional lives.
We held our LEO Global Annual Conference in Bali and launched Project X2 - the LEOcrowd crowdfunding platform. We launched in the US market. LEO prides itself on working closely with DSA organisations around the world, so we were extremely pleased when we gained the official UK DSA membership. We won the Industry Innovation award from DSA Canada. We organised an Ambassadorial reception at the House of Commons and invited delegates and heads of state from over 50 countries to discuss trading, entrepreneurship, digital currency and business around the world. We rented an official tour bus and travelled across Europe to promote LEO and LEOcrowd. We ended the year with over 250,000 Members from 200 countries around the world.
Atif founded LEO in 2012 together with his partner Dan Andersson and managed to attract a core team of experienced, multinational corporate executives who are continuing to build LEO on five continents. The company has also recruited highly motivated and skilled field sales leaders, as well as corporate managers, and established local offices in various locations worldwide, to create a successful global organisation. Implementation of its business-building IT platform. Creation of a market-leading suite of products with world-class partners. Delivery of robust payment solutions both in and out. Development of a truly remarkable Direct Selling marketing plan – including income streams that are available nowhere else in the industry Since it was launched, the company has seen an exponential growth in its Member base, and has achieved many significant strategic milestones and landmark events.
2012
Creation of the LEOcoin digital currency. We organised a training event in Shanghai, China for over 2,500 people and officially launched the market in China. We launched the Canadian market and saw Membership reach 50,000 from over 100 countries.
2013
2015
2017
LEO Tower launch
LEOxChange launch
Islamabad Event
We established and launched LEO Tower; this is our property development company. We also saw LEO Membership reach 10,000 from over 50 countries around the world.
We held two launches of the LEOxChange in both London and Hong Kong, which saw huge coverage in both local press and in government publications. We organised a training event in Manila, Philippines for over 1,800 people. Membership reached 160,000 from over 120 countries.
We kicked off the year by organising a training event in Islamabad, Pakistan for over 3,000 people, along with some of our world-class trainers and LEO Leaders.
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2016
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LEOcoin launch
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“Your efforts get stored in your effort bank. You will either get paid now or later. So carry on depositing by working hard and do not worry about the payout...it will come.”
Testimonials Atif and I have known each other for over 10 years having worked together in a previous company. I have had the privilege of working alongside him again for the last three years and can tell you that he is one of the most talented businessmen I have ever met. I consider myself lucky to have worked with a marketing genius and visionary once in my lifetime but to have that opportunity to work with someone of his skill and talent twice in a lifetime is truly special. There is something unique in the way Atif weaves his intelligence and passion for his business with his natural ability to communicate and connect with people. He has a genuine desire to help others achieve their goals; his integrity and sense of fair play is admired by many; and, he has a great sense of humour making him an absolute joy to work with. I can’t think of anyone more deserving than Atif Kamran to receive the Businessman of the Year Award. Geraldine Aquino LEO Chief Operating Officer Canada
Atif has been a positive influence in my LEO Journey. I remember meeting him the first time back in September 2015, in one of our first Leader Trainings here in Philippines. He shared an immense amount of knowledge with us that I apply to my business every day. He is continuously pushing me and challenging me, letting me know that I can do it. It has pushed me further to say that Yes, I can do it and I will show him how honoured I am to be a part of his team. I know with his exemplary leadership I can reach the top, always by following his example. More power to this great man with a Big Heart. Rachiele David LEO Member- Director Philippines
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Atif Kamran
Over the years, both as a major company CEO and in my role as Director General of the Direct Selling Association in the U.K., it has been my privilege to observe many great entrepreneurs and leaders in Sales and Marketing, and Atif Kamran is one of those. Initially I followed the progress of Atif from a distance as I watched him become a co-founder of LEO and lead from the front as the company grew from strength to strength. His ability to lead, communicate and inspire a global sales force to achieve phenomenal results from diverse cultures in over 100 countries in just four short years is a testimony to his drive and skills. There is no doubt he is currently one of the most successful, dedicated and respected entrepreneurs in the industry, who consistently travels the world to support and inspire his people. As such I believe he would be a worthy winner of the Businessman of the Year Award. Paul Southworth, OBE, DL LEO Advisory Council United Kingdom
I had the pleasure of knowing and working with Atif and his brilliant team in the past year. His deep understanding of Direct Selling, technology, and education coupled with his innovative passion to serve people and help them grow in business and in life is awe-inspiring. He is humble, compassionate, and always supportive regardless of how packed his busy schedule is. Ali Shabdar General Secretary, DSA UAE United Arab Emirates
Atif is an outstanding leader and mentor. He is dedicated to the development of others and this is witnessed in not only his words, but his actions. He travels the world to work with people from different cultures and backgrounds. He brings a level of integrity, ethics and professionalism to our industry that lifts this business to a higher level, and by his example he invokes a passion in the rest of us to operate at this same level.
I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Kamran as his solicitor for some years now. It’s always a delight to work with a businessman with a sharp mind, who brings insight to the issues in front of him, and who never fails to make a valuable contribution to every subject under consideration. Mr. Kamran is that businessman. His intellect and intelligence always position him well for a positive outcome in his business affairs.
I am blessed and grateful to have Atif as a mentor and believe that when you learn from someone who sees true potential in everyone he meets then you can’t help but take that potential and shape it into the skills to succeed. The true mark of a Leader is not in how many followers he has, but in how many Leaders he creates, and I believe Atif Kamran is a true Leader and would be the right choice as Businessman of the Year.
Added to those intellectual qualities is his warm and engaging personality. In a world increasingly concerned with quarterly returns, working with an individual who also brings charm and personality to his business affairs makes getting matters done all the more pleasurable. Mr. Kamran’s personable demeanour also combines wonderfully with his sharp intellect to markedly improve the outcome of every transaction. Congratulations Atif on your well-deserved nomination for this award!
Michelle Smith LEO Director of Sales & Training Canada
I have known Atif Kamran for over 16 years. The main thing in Atif, which has always inspired me, is that he is a self-made person. For the last four years, we worked very closely together and it has changed my life completely as it was a great learning experience for me. I consider myself very fortunate for having a chance to work with an expert of his calibre. Atif showed me patience instead of anger, guidance instead of annoyance and understanding instead of intolerance. Thanks for being so supportive Atif Bhai. I have a great respect in my heart for him because he is a true example of leadership. Liaqat Ali Khan Magray Ex-banker LEO Member - Regional Marketing Director Pakistan
Peter Dillon Partner, Siskinds LLP LEO Advisory Council Canada
Atif Kamran is a purpose driven leader. He has no ego and is a true servant leader. Atif never sets himself above his team except in carrying responsibilities. He has built huge Direct Selling businesses himself and therefore relates to LEO members and what they are faced with. He will never ask someone to do something he would not do himself. No matter where our lives may take us, Atif Kamran will always hold a special place in my heart. I am blessed, honoured, and grateful to know Atif and consider him a friend, as well as respected business leader. Mary Dingmann LEO Member - Executive USA
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Atif is a formidable business leader and networker with a genuine passion for his business. From the first day we met it was clear that he is a dedicated professional who takes his role to lead and teach LEO members very seriously. His positive encouragement and charismatic attitude to life makes anyone that works with him want to excel and strive to do the best they can to achieve success. Throughout 2016, we have truly enjoyed working alongside Atif, and the rest of the LEO team, to create incredible experiences around the globe for LEO members. It is for this reason that we believe he is a worthy candidate of the prestigious award of Businessman of the Year. Lidia Sakarapani Head of Sales and Marketing, Principal Global Events United Kingdom
Atif Kamran is an absolute inspiration to myself and my entire team. He is a visionary who has not only created his own success but the success of thousands of individuals globally and continues to do so. I have great pleasure of working with him and the motivation he provides us all to change our lives is more than words can explain. He is a man of great knowledge and great vision with non-stop innovative ideas and its a privilege working alongside someone with integrity and honesty as well as being humble with his level of success. His continuous help to his team is always appreciated and we are very proud to call him our friend and mentor. Ashraf Islam LEO Member – Executive United Kingdom
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Atif, whilst a sometimes shy person, has demonstrated a true commitment to a tough work ethic. Relentlessly pursuing excellence in quality of his work yet with great care for his employees and contractors. Atif is a role model for the young up and coming generation. Demonstrating his compassion for others he donates time and effort to bettering his community not just his business interest. We are proud to see his nomination and looking forward to his continued success. Congressman Steve Stockman LEO Advisory Council USA
I have only known Atif for a short time but it is clear that Atif has a passion for helping people improve their circumstances in life whatever they may be. He draws from his own life’s experiences and shares his secrets for success with others. He truly embodies one of LEO’s core pre-suppositions of “There is greatness inside everyone”. He is always thinking of new ideas to help the business and works tirelessly to bring those concepts to life. Working with Atif is a great experience. He is a natural trainer so he shares his knowledge with all and he demonstrates his leadership by trusting his team to carry out his vision. He also sets the pace by working hard to make sure that LEO’s Members and Customers have everything they need to be successful and he inspires others to do the same. Even though Atif works hard he also plays hard always with a smile on his face and looking for ways to incorporate fun into all that he does. Lisa Salinas LEO Global Operations Director USA
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Future vision My vision of what I would like for the future is relatively simple. I want to take LEO further. I am determined to see it become one of the top 10 Direct Selling companies in the world. Through the LEO platform, I want to help millions around the world discover the right tools and training that will help them become an entrepreneur and build a successful business. I want to see LEOcoin become the number one Digital Currency in the world, helping business owners get the most benefit from their hard work and the opportunity to operate their business with a global reach. I want LEOcoin to be used by everyone, give everyone the opportunity to have access to a digital currency that doesn’t cost them money to use. My vision for the future isn’t just for the business. One of my biggest passions is the world of fast cars. It is a passion that I have had from a very early age, and one of the passions I kept in mind as I was working to grow my business. I am incredibly lucky that through hard work and determination, I have had the opportunity to enjoy the lifestyle. Through this business, I want to give others that chance too. My dream, the place I see myself in five, ten, fifteen years’ time, is still among the people who want to do more in life, teaching and training them, helping and leading them to achieve their dreams and aspirations. Finally, one of the aspirations that is close to my heart, is to one day share the stage with my sons. I wish to one day work with them, introduce them on to the stage, and watch them train and lead a new generation of young entrepreneurs and business hopefuls. That is where my future lies.
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LEO Global Headquarters UK Battle Barns 112 Preston Crowmarsh Oxfordshire, OX10 6SL United Kingdom LearnEarnOwn.com