Oneofthemostwell-knownEnglishbusinessmagnatesandthefounderofVirgingroup,Richard
Bransononcesaid,“Every risk is worth taking as long as it’s for a good cause, and contributes to a good life.”
Ibelievelifeisachallengeandwitheachofitsstep,thereliesarisk.Witheverynewmorning,there appearsanewtaskwhichwemustaccomplishandsucceedforabetterfuture.And,daringisnottheway ofliving,it’sanattitudethathelpsustotakecriticaldecisionsinthetimesofneedandurgency.Itrequires adaringattitudetostartacompanywithalmostnegligibleornobackup,butit'salsoachallengetoengage employeesandkeepthemmotivatedforbetterproductivity
It’snoteasytomakeemployeesbelievethatthecompanycaresaboutthemandtheircareer,butit’snot somethingthatisimpossibletoaccomplish.And,it’sessentialforthegrowthofthecompany Theleader mustshowtrustonhisemployeesandexhibitrelianceintheircapabilities.Oneshouldrevealconfidence inthem;motivatethemtodischargetheirjobresponsibilitieswithmoreproductivity.Ifyouarealeader, makeyourteambelievethattheircontributionmattersforthefutureofthecompany.Whennothingelse works,incentiveisthatmagicaltoolwhichworkslikewonderswhilemotivatingtheemployeesand generatingmoreefficientworkfromthem.Afterall,everyonelovestogetrewarded,irrespectiveofthe age,gender,salaryordesignation.
Themostsuccessfulleaderssaythatthemoreyouinvestthemorereturnsyoucanexpect.And,ifyou can’tinvestanythingelse,investtimeonyouremployees;makethembelievethatyouareconcerned aboutyouremployee’scareergrowthandtheirfuture.Once,youinvolveemployeesonlyatthe managementlevelandsimplyignorethesubordinateonesfromthemajorcompanydecisions,the employeesinthelowerpositionsstartfeelingisolatedandunimportant,hence,theleadersmustinclude themtooincompany’simportantdecisions.
And,ifyoustillbelievethatyourideaisn’tafantasticone,soyoucan’tturnyourcompanyintoa successfulone,andthenit'stimetostopworryingaboutthem.It’stimetoforgetabouttheideawhichyou
thoughtwasabrilliantoneinthebeginning,instead,startfocusingontheskills,sharpenthemandbe aleaderofyourownkind.And,considerwhatoneofthegreatestChinesebusinessmagnatesand technologyentrepreneursJackMasays,“Never give up. Today is hard, tomorrow will be worse, but the day after tomorrow will be sunshine.”
And,tobringinsuchdaringleadersfromtheshadowtobroaddaylight,wehavecomeupwith anotherinterestingedition,“The30MostDaringCEOsinBusiness”.
Onthecoverofthisissue,wehave Ahmad Eied: The Leader Known for Creating Milestones in the Telecom and Communication Industry.Onesuchleader,whoturnseverynegativeenergyintoa positiveopportunitybycreatingrevolutionarymilestonesintheworldoftelecomand communicationservices,isAhmadEied,FounderandCEOatSkytelSystems,aleadingVoIP companyprovidingturn-keyInternetworkingsolutions,extraordinaryVoIPsystems,technology consulting,managedandprofessionalITservicesandon-timetechnicalsupportforcompanies worldwide.
Ahmadisonesuchpersonalitywhoneverstopsthinkingaboutworkandoffice.Withthemotiveto givesomethingbettertotheworld,hesays,“I believe that if I have a goal that I have achieved then my goal wasn’t set high enough.”Heevensharesthebiggeststrategytowineverychallengein businessandsays,“The more knowledge you are going to give yourself the better you are going to be in business.”
Alongwithsuchaninspiringstory,wehavecoveredupotherfascinatingstoriesofremarkable businesspersonalitieslike Aleetza Senn: The Creative and Energetic Entrepreneur Making Digital Data Simplified, Accessible and Actionable to Businesses, Ash Robinson: A Possibilitarian Leader Redefining Women’s Wellness, Ashton Bishop: A Predictably Unpredictable Leader Redefining Business and Startup Ideas with Strategy and Creativity, Cindy Jutras: A Technology Polymath, Edward van Leent: A Passionate and Energetic Entrepreneur Redefining the Data Center Industry
Thisissuehasalsoenlistedotherwell-knownbusinesspersonalitieslike Edward B. Silverman: Leading for the Long-haul of Security Industry, Erik Rasmussen: A Daring Leader Who Helps Businesses Turn Risks into Opportunities, Eyal Iffergan: Driving the Legal Industry into the Future, Joe Caserta: The Best-Selling Author and Entrepreneur Leading Data Intelligence Forward, Natalie Turner: Unlocking Potential and Inspiring Innovation, Nicci Rossouw: A Vibrant and Fervent Leader of the Rise in Robotics, Pam du Plessis: The Passionate and Loyal Leader Creating Positive Impacts in the Valve Business Industry,and Ruslan Desyatnikov: A Pioneer Paving Path Towards Qualitative Software Testing.Alongwithsuchinspiringstoriesofbusinessleaders,wehavealso enlistedGettyGoh,VishyKarri,GuyKurlandski,WilliamDiotte,TomAlbert,BarryMaxon, MadeleinePaquin,GitteAabo,MattHertig,BlytheMasters,JustinNodelman,PeterKirwan, SusanMcCarthy,GordonShevlin,andChrisMann.
Mostinterestingly,thiseditioncomesupwithsomeextraordinaryarticlesfromtheexpertsofthe industry.Expertslike Lara Hodgson, President and CEO at NOW Corp and Eugene Cheng, Partner and Creative Lead at HighSpark,amongmanyothers,havecontributedtheirwordsforthisissue.To enrichyouwithsomelatestideasandrefreshyourmind,ourin-houseeditorshavewrittensome interestingarticleslike Be a Leader, not just a Regular Boss and Efficacious People Constantly Chase the Impossible It’stimetoflipthroughthepagesandenjoythejourney
Rajarshi Chatterjee
Ahmad
Seeing my team happy, seeing my team laugh and chatter make me happy
The Leader Known for Creating Milestones in the Telecom and Communication Industry
Success is not final; failure is not
fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts,”saidthe formerBritishPrimeMinisterandone ofthemostcelebratedwriterWinston Churchill.
Anentrepreneur’slifeisnotatalleasy. Therearestonesoffailureswhichform thepillarofsuccessinan entrepreneur’slife.Thereishardlyany successfulpersonwhohasn’tfailedin life.Theymightfalldownoverand overagain,yeteverytimetheywillget up;theysurgeaheadwitheven strongerdedication,unwavering willingnessandprofound determination.Theybelievein themselves,theiridea,theirmotive, andeverytimetheyrisefromafall, theymakeastepclosertowards success.Theleadingcontributorofthe Americanindustryrevolutionandthe magnateofthebusinessindustry, HenryFordoncesaid,“Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently ”
Onesuchleader,whoturnsevery negativeenergyintoapositive opportunitybycreatingrevolutionary milestonesintheworldoftelecomand communicationservices,isAhmad Eied,FounderandCEOatSkytel Systems,aleadingVoIPcompany providingturn-keyInternetworking solutions,extraordinaryVoIPsystems, technologyconsulting,managedand professionalITservicesandon-time technicalsupportforcompanies worldwide.Ahmadisunlikeallother entrepreneurswhoseliveshavebeen inspiringusforages.Heisnotjustthe CEOofaleadingcommunication serviceprovidingfirm,ratherheisalso thesponsorandoneofthedriverofthe Skytelracecars.
Passion,Dedication,Determination andCourageisWhatMakesPeople Successful Ahmaddoesn’tonlykeephisdaring attitudelimitedtothebusinessdeals andcorporatelife;instead,heinvolves hisscheduleinacceleratingand
rushinginthecaronadeadlysports carracetrack.Ahmadisanextremely busyCEOandahighlypassionate businessman;hence,itoftenbecomes difficultforhimtogetoutofwork evenwhenheisnotworking.Either whilegoingtosleeportakinga shower,heisalwaysthinkingaboutthe nextstrategyforthecompany.But whenheisinthecar,athighspeedsof 180-200MPHandthere’sanopponent rightnexttohim,whereamistakecan blowhimoutandmaycosthislife,it’s theonly12secondsofhisdayandlife, whenhecanactuallystopthinking aboutworkandconcentrateonlife.
difficulttoachieve.Tosupportthis fact,hesaid,“I believe that if I have a goal that I have achieved then my goal wasn’t set high enough.”Withan ultimategoaltoconquerthetelecom andVoIPindustry,avisiontoachieve thatcoupledwiththefirmbeliefthat “with failure comes success”,Ahmadis redefiningeverytermsintheindustry tohelppeoplecommunicatebetterand effectively
Beginhiscareerin2001,withthe computerretailstoresduringthetimes ofeconomicuncertaintywasoneofthe daringdecisionsAhmadtookinlife. Withamotivetogetoutofthe communitylevelthoughtprocessand startcompetinginagloballevel, AhmadstartedSkytelSystems.During thattime,whenVoIPwasbarelyoutof thegroundandanybodyhardlyknew aboutit,theFounderofSkytelstarted developingaVoIPsystem.Timeswere difficult,evenfailureswereprevalent, yetAhmadwasalwaysfirmwithhis determinationandeventually succeeded.
Ahmadfurtherstatedabouthispassion andsaid,“I am constantly thinking about my work, trying to make my staff better, trying to strive on how we can give better customer service, just to make sure that our product is ahead of the game and our partners.”Witha goaltoalwaysstrivefurtheraheadin life,Ahmadwiththeablesupportof JohnBelich,CTOatSkytel,hasled thecompanytobeenlistedin Inc. 5000 fastest growing companies 2017 and alsotobeinthelistofthe Next-Gen VoIP andhelpthecompanystandasan All-in One technology Provider for Superior Business Efficiency.
AbouttheJourneywhichMoldeda YoungMantoaSuccessfulBusiness Personality Ahmadisalwaysstrivingfurtherinlife andalwayssetsgoalsthataretoo
Slowly,Ahmadstartedreplacinghis oldtelecomproviderswiththeVoIP systemhedevelopedandbegantogive itforfreetohisclients.Eventually,he startedsellinghisretailsstoresand initiatedthegrowthofSkytel.Now,he proudlyrecallsthatSkytelwasformed withnodebtsorbankloans.Onceafter finalizingthenameofthecompany, Skytelstartedgettingintotheveinsof thebusinesscommunicationand carrierhardwaresystems.
Inceptedin2009,Skytelprovides enterprise-gradehostedVoIPand unifiedcommunicationstobusinesses andinstitutions.Itisrapidlybecoming thestandardforbusiness communicationworldwide.The companydeliversawiderangeof unifiedcommunicationsproduct, includingvoice,video,contactcenter, managedITservicesandmobile applications.Skytel'scloud-based
“The more knowledge you are going to give yourself the better you are going to be in business”
phonesystemcomeswithfullPBXfunction,admin controls.andunlimitedphonefeatures.Itsvideo servicesareknownforitspoint-to-pointand multipointvirtualmeetingsandvideo collaboration.Skytel’sadvancedcontactcenterand monitoringareavailablethroughitsContact Center.WithSkytel,customerscanaccessallthe servicesusingtheirmobiledevices,desktop computersandwebbrowsers.
StartingSkytelwasthemostdaringthingAhmad hasdone.Hewasunsureabouttheoutcome,yet hetookthestepforward.Fromworkingina 450sq.ft.facility,Ahmadhasleadthe companytoalevelwhereitnowworksina 15,000sq.ft.building,withextraordinary facilitieslikeagameroom,think-tank room,abeautifulkitchenwithabaranda trainingcenter Thoughthereareplentyof VoIPserviceprovidersinthemarkettoday, Skytelstandsfirmwithitsextraordinary facilitieslikeitsunlimitedfacilityi.e., unlimitedlocallongdistance tounlimited internationalcalling, andevenunlimited tech-support.In thecurrent scenario,where companiesare moreintofingerpointingoneanother,Ahmad ensuresitsclients thatSkytelhasthe solutionto
I am constantly thinking about my work, trying to make my staff better, trying to strive on how we can give better customer service, just to make sure that our product is ahead of the game and our partners
‘‘ ‘‘
problemsthatarehamperingtheir communication.
Thecompanyevengoesonflighttothe end-userslocationandphysically installsthephonesystemforthem,and givestrainingtoeverysinglestaff memberontheusageofthesystem. Skytel’sbillingsystemisalsoquite simplified,andoffersunlimited benefits.Alongwithbeingtheleading VoIPserviceprovider,Skytelisalsoan ITprovider.Owingtotheirrootsinthe computersandITindustry,Skytelhasa vastexperienceinthefield;making themanexpertinsolvingITrelated issues.Thecompanypossessesan enormousamountofknowledgeonthe firewalls,network,routingandinternet serviceproviding.
TheCompanyensuresUpdated TechnologywithGreaterSecurity Skyteldoesn’tcompromiseonthe securityofitsclientsandprovidesa secureVPNconnectionforits customersthroughLANorWAN.Its clientsarefreefromboundariesand makescallssecurelyfromanywhere theywish.And,tomakethatpossible, Skytelofferscellphonesthatensures securecallanywhere-anytime.Apart fromthetechnicalindustry,Skytel servesawiderangeofclientsandhasa strongclient-baseinthemedical industry.Thecompanyoffersarobust systemprovidingbackupoptions whichprotectsusersfrominternaldata breaches.Whiletalkingaboutthe securityofferingsofthecompany, Ahmadsaid,“We assure our clients a secure connection and everything from LAN to WAN and even the computers remain secured within our network, leaving them with no scope of complaining.”
Skytelofferssomeamazingservices, amongwhichstandsSkytelContact Center.Withthis,Skytelcanintegrate
itsusers’phonesystemwithCRM,and incasetheuserdoesn’thaveaCRM,it canintegratethedatawithsimpleexcel spreadsheet.Withthissystem,the companyoffersschedulingand campaignssothattheusersdon’thave todial-inthenumbers,theycan directlypickthenumber,callitwhich isautomaticallyopentheninwhatever theoremtheychoose.Itisalsoauseful toolforcoachingpurposesaswiththis system,themanagerscanactuallyhear thecallliveandcangiveinstant feedbacktothecaller.Itsrecording optionshelpthecallertohearitlater andimprovehis/herskills.
Ahmadstillmaintainsatraditionaland personalapproachwitheachofits employeestomaintainanoutstanding workingenvironment.Everymorning afterreachingtheoffice,heshakes handwitheachemployeeandasks themabouttheirlifetofillhisquench toestablishemployees’wellbeingand theirworksatisfaction.Whenever possible,hetakesupaquickstand-up meetingwitheveryteamofhis company,exceptfortheadministrative teamwithwhomAhmadhasaformal meeting.Likeanyothersuccessful leaders,Ahmadknowshowto appreciatepeopleandmotivatehis employees.
Whiletalkingaboutthesecretbehind hismotivation,Ahmadsaid,“My team! And the feedback our clients give.”He furtheradded,“Seeing my team happy, seeing my team laugh and chatter makes me happy.”Theleaderofthe teamalsosaidthattokeephimself motivated,helistenstomotivational andinspiringspeechesofothers,which putshiminasoundplace.While validatingthispoint,hesaid,“Those successful speeches makes me who I am and helps me to keep my team
happy and motivated as well.”Ahmad alsogivesahugecredittotheCTOand considershimtobetheonewhomhe cancompletelytrust.
WhiletalkingaboutJohn,Ahmadsaid, “His training methods, his patience, his tactics of managing all these people and his customer service is so high that I have seen second to none.”
“Never give up! If you have a dream, you have to follow that. You’re going to fail and you have to get back up to do it. Every time somebody says that you can’t win or you won’t, or it can’t be done, then you need to think of that in a way that it can be and it will be done,”assertsAhmad.Headvises peoplethatnomatterhowbadtheday is,peopleshouldn’tshownegativityor weaknesstoothersandmentions, “Your clients, your peers, you friends have to see courage, they have to believe in a confidence that you have in order for you to grow the company ” Ahmadfurtherstretchedthepointby sayingthateveryonewantstoseetheir leadershappyandmotivated.
Ahmadalsosuggestedhisfollowersto startlearningtodayinsteadofinvesting moneyonotherstodoit.Hesuggested peopletobecourageousandsaid,“You can only do the best you can. All you can do is all you can do.”Withsuch motivation,Ahmadisleadingtheteam togrowthecompanyata517%growth rateofthepresentstate.Hefurther stateshisplanstoexpanditsservices andfocusonasolutionthatwillhelp teenagersfrombeingbullied,aservice whichwillhelpparentsmonitortheir child'sactivitiesandsavethemfrom doinganythingthatwillharmthem.
“Never give up! If you have a dream, you have to follow that. You're going to fail and you have to get back up to do it
Allgress,Inc. allgress.com
AlightAnalytics alightanalytics.com
BrightFunnel brightfunnel.com
GordonShevlin
Founder&CEO
MattHertig CEO
Foundedin2008,Allgresshelpsenterprisesecurityandrisk professionalssolvetheproblemofhowtoassess,understand andmanagecorporaterisk.
AlightAnalyticsisafull-servicemarketinganalyticsfirm, managingmarketingdataanddeliveringactionabledashboards andinsightsforitsclients.
ChrisMann CEO
CoAssetsPteLtd coassets.com
Caserta caserta.com
Collexion collexion.com
DigitalAssetHoldings digitalasset.com
EPIgroupofcompanies epi-ap.com
Eureka!Restaurants eurekarestaurantgroup.com
GettyGoh CEO
JoeCaserta Founder&President
BrighFunnelisagrowingteamofmarketingenthusiasts buildingtheintelligencelayerforyourrevenuestack.
CoAssetsisSoutheastAsia'sfirstpubliclistedcrowdfunding sitewithofficesinSingapore,Australia,Malaysia,Chinaand Indonesia.
Casertaisaleadingdataintelligencefirmwithareputationof creatingboldandstate-of-the-artsolutions.
PeterKirwan CEO&Cofounder
BlytheMasters CEOEdwardvanLeent Chairman&CEO
Collexionisanawardwinningcompanythatoffersanonline platformthatconnectsbuyersandsellerstoacurated collectionofhigh-valuecollectibles,artandantiques.
TheDigitalAssetPlatformdeliversflexibleinfrastructurefor regulatedfinancialinstitutionstoshareprocessesanddata securely,onaneed-to-knowbasis,withouttheneedfor reconciliation.
EPIGroupofCompaniesisaleadingglobalservicesdelivery platformprovidingalltypesofdatacenterservices,including datacenterauditing,datacenterauditcertification,datacenter consultingordatacenterandITtrainingcourses.
JustinNedelman CEO
Exaptec exaptec.com
NicciRossouw CEO
Eurekaoffersexceptionalhospitalityserviceswitheateriesand drinks.
Exaptecisaserviceroboticscompany Theyspecializeinend toendsystemintegrationandprovidingcustomizedsolutions totheirclientstosolvetheirparticularchallenge.
Expert365 expert365.com.au
FIT4MOM fit4mom.com
GuideAdvisor guideadvisor.com
HyperionGlobalPartners hyperiongp.com hgpresearch.com
InvincibleValves (PTY)LTD invalve.co.za
VishyKarri CEO&Co-founder
AshRobinson CEO
SusanMcCarthy CEO
WithavisiontoaddressInternetofThings(IOT)solutionsfor horticulturefarmswithfocusonoptimisingirrigationwater,Expert 365offersproductswhichassistsfarmerstomakecorrectionstotheir ad-hocpracticesviaprovisionofpreciseestimationofirrigation.
FIT4MOMisworld’soneofthelargestwellnesscompanies dedicatedtothestrengthinmotherhood.
GuideAdvisor.computsGuidesattheforefronttoconnectavid TravelerswiththeinsiderexperiencesonlyalocalGuidecan provide.
EyalIffergan CEO
PamduPlessis ManagingDirector
HyperionGlobalPartnersisthepremierglobalconsultancyfor legalbusinessstrategyandoperations.
InvincibleValves(PTY)LTDisawell-establishedValve companythatdistributesvalvesofitsownaswellasonbehalf ofthebiggestmanufacturerinSouthAfrica.
LeoPharma leo-pharma.com
Logistec logistec.com
MeasuredRisk measuredrisk.com
MintJutras mintjutras.com
GitteAabo CEO
MadeleinePaquin president&CEO
TomAlbert Founder&CEO
CindyJutras President
Mocana mocana.com
WilliamDiotte CEO
LeoPharmaisamultinationalDanishpharmaceutical company,foundedin1908,withapresenceinabout100 countries.
LogistecCorporationisapubliclytradedcompanywith activitiesinmarineandenvironmentalservices.
MeasuredRiskconnectsdisparateindicatorsofriskharvested fromamultitudeofsourcesanddistillsthemtogivethe C-suiteclearvisibilityintobusinessrisk;enablingkey businessdecisionstobemade.
MintJutrasisanindependentresearchandadvisoryfirmthat specializesinanalyzingthebusinessimpactofenterprise applications.
MocanaisaSanFrancisco-basedcompanythatfocusesonand embeddedsystemsecurityforindustrialcontrolsystemsand theInternetofThings.
Premonition premonition.ai
GuyKurlandski CEOCo-founder
QAMentor qamentor.com
safetychainSoftware safetychain.com
RuslanDesyatnikov
Founder&CEO
Premonition.aiisanArtificialIntelligencesystemthatmines BigDatatofindoutwhichAttorneyswinbeforewhichJudges.
QAMentorisamulti-awardwinningcompanywhichisISO 27001:2013andISO9001:2015certifiedwith256globalQA resourcesineightdifferentcountriesofferingmorethan30QA TestingServicescoveringalltimezones.
BarryMaxon
Founder&CEO
SkytelSystem skytelglobal.com
Sparkline,Inc. sparkline.com
SOSSecurityLLC sossecurity.com
AhmadEied
Founder&CEO
AleetzaSenn Co-Founder&CEO
SafetyChainSoftwareisaleadinginnovatoroffoodsafety& qualityassurance(FSQA)managementsolutions.
SkytelSystemsprovidesturn-keyInternetworkingsolutions, turn-keyVoIPsystems,technologyconsulting,managedand professionalITservicesandon-timetechnicalsupportfor companieswith2-1000+users-from1locationtonumerous locationsnationwide.
SparklineisaSingapore-basedinnovativeenterprisecreatedto providecompanieswithastrategic,transparentandpractical approachtoDigitalAnalytics.
EdwardB.Silverman
Chairman&CEO
StepChange hellostepchange.com
AshtonBishop CEO
Sustainia sustainia.me
TheEntheoNetwork 6-i-innovation.com
TrustSphere trustsphere.com
ErikRasmussen
Founder&Executive Chairman
SOSSecurityisaleadingproviderofsecuritypersonneland relatedservices,helpingabroadrangeofclientsinthe corporate,governmentandhighnetworthsectorstoprotect theirpeople,assetsandreputations.
StepChangeisastrategicallyleddigitalcreativeagencythatis creatingaspacewherestrategymeetscreativity,andworking togethertocreateafullfrom-the-ground-updigitalofferingto challengerbusinesses.
Sustainiaisaninternationalsustainabilityadvisorygroup& digitalstudioworkingtoaccelerateactiontowardsa sustainablefuture.
NatalieTurner
Founder&CEO
ManishGoel Co-founder&CEO
Througharangeofpartners,theEntheoNetworkoffers managers,trainersorconsultants,whetherindependentor withinorganizationallife,apracticalsuiteofapplications, systemsandtoolsthathelptounleashinnovationpotential.
TrustSphereisawidelyrecognizedmarketleaderin RelationshipAnalyticshelpingorganizationsleveragestheir mostvaluable-asset–theircollectiverelationshipnetwork.
Astheco-founderandCEOofastartupthatis breakingnewgroundinworkplaceanalytics, ManishGoelis,byallrights,avisionary technologyleader.Passionateaboutthepowerofpeople andhowtheycanleveragetheirindividualandcombined knowledgenetworkstosolvecomplexorganizational challenges,ManishisblazingatrailbyusingRelationship Analyticstobetterunderstandthesenetworks.Hefirmly believesthatanindividual’snetworkofrelationshipsisa keymeasureoftheirsocialcapitalanditisthisrelationship capitalthatalsoformsanimportantpredictorofthe individual’spotentialsuccess.Fromanorganization’s perspective,harnessingthecombinednetworkofall employeerelationshipsisoneofitsmostvaluableassets.
Combiningyearsoftechnologyexperiencewith persistence,thisastuteCEOhasledhiscompany, TrustSphere,toachieveexponentialgrowthworkingwith someofthelargestorganizationsintheworldand successfullypartneringwithmanyleadingtechnology companiesincluding IBM, Salesforce, Veritas and SugarCRM. Underhisguidance,thecompanyhasbeen recognizedasatechnologyinnovatorbymarketanalysts andcontinuestowinvariousawardsaroundtheworld. InnovationisacorevaluethatManishhasalwaysinspired amonghisteamatTrustSphere.Consequently,itsdifferent solutionshavebeenwidelyacknowledgedbycustomersfor providinguniqueperspectivesthathavehelpedthem
increasesalesteameffectiveness,improvediversity& inclusioninitiativesandprovideinsightsfortheirleadership developmentprograms.
TounderstandManish’spastistounderstandhisvision
Manishhasoverfifteenyearsofexperienceinthe technologyandinnovationspace,asaninvestor,a consultantandmostrecentlyastheCEOofthetechnology startup.Belongingtodifferentpartsoftheinnovation ecosystemhasgivenManisharelativelyuniqueperspective ontheworkingsoftheindustryandanabilitytobring innovationandexecutiontogether.Heisabelieverinthe powerofdiversethinking.Throughouthiscareer,hehas hadtheprivilegeoftravelingextensivelyandofworking withclientsandbusinesspartnersinover30countries. Workingwithpeoplefromsuchdiversebackgroundsand culturesandunderstandingtheirdifferentperspectiveshas beenakeyingredientofhissuccess.
ManishstartedhiscareeratPriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC)intheirStrategicChangeConsultingPracticein Sydney,wherehewasapartoftheFinancialServices practice.Thereheworkedonvariousprojectsacrossthe AsiaPacificregionwhichinvolvedevaluatingand executingtheroledisruptivetechnologiescouldplayin transformingthewayclientsoperatedandcompetedinthis diversemarket.
HewasthentransferredtoLondon wherehewasinvitedtohelpsetup PwCVenturePartners-PwC’s CorporateInnovationandPrincipal InvestmentUnit.Thereheworkedas anInvestmentDirectorwitha particularinterestinFinancial Technology(FinTech)andwas responsibleformakingseveral investmentsinstartups.
AfterhistimewithPwC,Manish establishedGreenoakCapitalPartners, aventurecapitalfirmfocusedon startupinvestments,particularly arounddataandanalytics.Forseveral years,healsoservedastheChairman oftheUS-basedOnlineTrustAlliance, anon-profitindustryallianceformedto promoteandadvocateforthe protectionofonlineprivacyandtrust.
Passionforthevaluederivedfrom sharedknowledgeiswhatdrives Manish
Manishstronglybelievesinthepower ofpeopleandthevalueofrelationship networks.Hesaysthathumanbeings haveanincredibleabilitytoachieve. “Our ability to transform, evolve, innovate and solve problems is unparalleled. We achieve most when we work as interconnected teams,” saysManish.“Technology, when used ethically and appropriately, can act as an incredible enabler to help teams collaborate to solve the most important problems of the day.”
Whentalkingabouthispersonal objectives,Manishsaid,“I thrive on creating a culture to bring teams together to achieve the impossible - to take the moonshots others dare not. Motivating and enabling creative and audacious individuals to make amazing things happen is inspirational.”He furtheradds,“The belief that we as humans can resolve many of today’s
Manish Goel Co-founder & CEO TrustSphere
societal problems by working together keeps me motivated. I believe the ethical use of technology is an essential part of how society can and will evolve – whereby technology can liberate knowledge and truth otherwise trapped within layers of data. Being able to democratize these insights for the benefit of individuals and teams means we can resolve problems without cognitive bias.”
Manishisamasteroftakingcalculated risks.Thatislikelywhatpushedhim towardstakingthemostdaring challengeofhiscareersofar,i.e. establishinghislatestventure, TrustSphere.Bringingnetwork technologytothemarkethasbeen muchmorechallengingthanone wouldthink,especiallygiventhe
potentiallysensitivenatureofthedata beinganalyzed.Establishingastartup whichisnowworkingwithsomeof thelargestcompaniesintheworldhas beenanincrediblejourneyandahuge challenge.Hehasnotonlyestablished itintoasuccessfulcompanybutalso guidedtheteamtohelpthemcreate solutionswhichsolvesomeofthe morecomplexorganizational challengesforbusinessinthedigital age.
Beingarecognizedleaderin RelationshipAnalytics,TrustSphere’s technologyenablesorganizationsto unlocktheinherentvalueoftheir collectiverelationshipnetworksand
usetheseinsightstomakesmarterdecisionsacrossvarious businessfunctionsincludinghumancapitalmanagement, salesandrisk&compliance.Itoffersadvancedanalytics forindustrieswhereemployeerelationshipsandcustomer relationshipsarebuiltandmaintainedusingcorporate communicationplatformsincludingfinancialservices, professionalservicesandhealthcareamongothers.
TrustSphereisdifferentfromsocialnetworkingtoolswhich map‘connections’betweenpeople.Itsalgorithmscan measurethestrengthofrelationshipsandassigna “relationshipscore”todistinguishfrom‘simple’ connections.Afteranalyzingtheserelationshipnetworks, TrustSphere’sclientsleveragethesereal-timerelationship insightsbysurfacingtheminvariousbusinessapplications whichsupportorganizationalworkflow Theseinclude
enterpriseandithasperformedorganizationalnetwork analysisforsomeofthelargestorganizationsinthe worldacrosstheirentireemployeebase. Ÿ Theoverallphilosophyof‘hyper-contextual’insights enablingcompaniestousetheanalyticsgeneratedby TrustSphereonareal-timebasisdirectlyinmultiple applicationsmakesTrustSphere’srelationshipanalytics platformamongstthemostpowerfulintheindustry.
Manishfurthertalkedaboutthecompany’splansandsaid, “We will continue to innovate and build on our current success. We are working closely with our business partners to build even more exciting and value adding solutions to delight our clients.”
Manish’sSecrettoSuccessisContinuousLearning
Manishshareshissecretbehindhiscompany’sgrowthand says,“I enjoy learning everyday - from both junior and senior colleagues alike. It’s only by openly sharing ideas and knowledge that collaboration, innovation and growth is possible.”
Hemitigatestraditionalstartuprisksbyhiringsmart, passionatepeoplewhohaveintegrityandcuriosity.Ashe says“Hiringsmartpeople,creatingacultureofguided experimentationandworkingcloselywiththebroader ecosystemhelpsusunderstandwhentoaccelerateandeven whentopivot”.
AlthoughOrganizationalNetworkAnalysisisnotnew,the processofdatagatheringandanalysisforfirmstodatehas beensomewhatmanual.TrustSphere’sofferingisbuilttobe ‘passive’innatureandlearnsfromexistinginteractionsand isthereforebothunbiasedandhighlyscalable.It’sabilityto deliverreal-timenetworkinsightsbycontinually understandinganorganization’snetworkanddeliverthese intoapplicationswhichsupportworkflowsuchasCRM systemsiskeepingthecompanyaheadoftherace.
Ÿ WhatmakesTrustSphereunique?TrustSphereusesdata ethicallywhichmeansthatitneverlooksatmessaging contentsuchasthebodyofemailsorinstantchat messagesorvoicecalls.Thecompanyiscommittedto theprotectionofindividualprivacy.
Ÿ
TrustSphere’stechnologyhasbeenbuiltforthe
Tobuddingentrepreneursintheindustry,Manish’sadvice is, “Don’t be afraid to take on those challenges about which you are passionate. However be prepared to defend your perspective – there will be many naysayers. If you are an innovator, you are likely to be ahead of the market. This means being realistic about how long it will take for the market to catch up with your vision, no matter how correct that vision may be. And find the quick wins. These become the proof points you will need to bring others along the journey with you. Your team is critical. This team extends beyond just fellow employees – but also to your advisors and investors. This wider group is critical to your eventual success. In particular, choose investors who share your vision and who are knowledgeable and patient. Our success to date has been largely due to the continuous support of our investors. Finally - give before you ask. Being generous is a virtue and usually has an unexpected (positive) effect.”
CRMsystems,collaborationsystemsandtalent managementsystems.“Our ability to transform, evolve, innovate and solve is unparalleled”
Aleetza Senn Co-Founder & CEO
Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.”JackWelch,formerCEOofGE.
Itisawell-knownfactthatbehindeverysuccessfulenterpriseliesacreative mindfilledwithself-discipline,asenseofintegrity,persistence,aclear ideaaboutthedirectionandtheabilitytotakeaction-orientedwise decision.Onesuchsuccessfulentrepreneurwhoismarkedwith/known for/builtupofcreativity,discipline,positiveenergyandanattitudethat compelstotakeriskstomakesomethingbigger,isAleetzaSenn, Co-FounderandCEOofSparkline,Inc
Motivatedbyothers,familyandherteam,Aleetzatakesthe necessarystepstoovercomeallthechallengesthatcome inherwayofprogressandbuildsapathtowards tomorrow’sdataindustry.Inlife,wetendtoface challengewitheverystepwetake.Asuccessful entrepreneuristheonewhodoesn’tscareawayfromthe challenges;insteadtheywinoverthosecriticalsituations andachievesomethingextraordinary,Aleetzaisan exampleofsuchanentrepreneur.
Aleetzaispassionateaboutsolvingrealworldproblems. Herpassiontogodeepintothehumanconversationsand understandhowtechandhumansinteractforabetter globalclimatehasledhercompanytoredefinethe industry.UnderAleetza’sguidance,thecompany successfullysupportssomeofthebiggestnamesin industryinvarioussectors,fromTravel- SIA and AirAsia, Ecommerce- Lazada, Zalora,toBanking,SCBand Globalbrandslike Google and McDonalds amongmany others.
Theleadingentrepreneurtalkedaboutherinitialdays andstated,“I started as an actress on TV and
thought my path had been decided, only to land a job at Google a few years later in Australia, where I was the 6th employee in APAC.”Staying thereforalmostadecadeand contributingmajorlyinavarietyof salesandcustomer-facingstrategy roleshelpedhertoearnanenormous amountofexperience.Itwasthetime whenshedecidedtobeherownboss andembarkonthejourneytobuilda digitalbusiness.
Buildingabusinessallofasudden fromnowhere,beginninganew ventureandestablishingthatinthe marketisnotatalleasy.Beginninga newventureandinstantlybuildingit fromscratchtosuccessfullyestablishit inthemarketisnoeasytask.But, Aleetzastartedherbusinesswithno fundinganddidit.Now,it’sbeenfour yearsandthecompanyisawell-known nameinitsdomain.“Thinking on your feet, being creative and agile have all been refined skills through the process,”addedAleetza.
Aleetzahassetupherbusinessina dynamicindustrywhereexcitingthings happenateverymoment..Adtechhas nearlydoubledinthepastconsecutive fiveyearsandthereisnowmuchmore scopetoimprovecommunicationwith thecustomers.Asamajorpercentage oftheinvestmentisgoingintothetech, ratherthanskills,therearisesa problemintheindustrythatis reminiscentof havingaFerrariand notknowinghowtodriveit,orservice itandhence,makingitworkforthe buyerisactuallyofnoworth.Hence, Aleetzasaysthatinvestingin infrastructureandtalentisparamount asisknowingwhatteamsshouldspend timeon,andreducingmanuallabor throughautomation.So,shecameup withtheideaofSparkline,withwhich, businesseswillnotonlybebenefited, butalsogethigherefficiency.
AbouttheCompanywhichis MakingDataSimplified,Accessible
Sparklinewascreatedtosimplify digitaldata,makeitaccessibleand actionabletobusinesses.Itoffers consultinginanagnosticmannerand providestrainingtohandlethe concernsof50%ofthemarketerswho feelthattheirskillsareredundantin thenextthreeyears.Aleetzahas expressedtheneedtogovern communicationthroughtechnology,so finallythecompanyisempoweringits clientsbybuildingtechwhichspeeds uptheaction-ability,lowersmanual laborcostsandfocusesonevolving throughdata.
Whilefollowingthisextraordinary procedureofworking,thecompany hasshowcasedaprofitablecareerfor fouryears.Withasetofpatented solutions,thecompanyisbuildingtech tosupportanalystsinfightingthedata accuracyandgovernanceissuesas moredataandmorepeoplegivesrise tomorecomplexity.Aleetzasays,“We have tools that can narrow 40-hour labor into 3 minutes; and for products like Adobe Analytics, we have built the most comprehensive data Audit tool in market.”
Sparklineisnotjustsupporting industryleaders,butthecompanyhas alsoestablishedananalystinternship program,alongsideGoogleandthe SingaporeGovernmenttotrain graduatestobework-readyanalysts. Mostinterestingly,thecompany’s traininghashelpedstudentstoget placementonmultinationalbrandslike AirBnB, Uber and Ernst and Young, andthattoowithasalarypackage whichismuchhigherthanthosewho didnotparticipateinthecurriculum. Thetech-giantGooglehaslabeledthe internshipprogramasSquaredData. TheCEOofthecompanyhasdeclared thattheirextraordinarycoursewillbea
partofSparklineAcademyandwill soonbeopentoeveryonefrom2018, andnotjustforthoseselectedby Google.
Aleetzahasawonderfulteamof professionalsandanamazingfamily, whatmoredoesapersonneedin his/herlifetobemotivated.Shesays thatbelievinginoneselfthathe/shecan solveaproblemforacompanyoran individualisalwaysthegreatest motivatingtoolonecanget.She furtheradds,“I always admire those that stick their neck out as it were, even in adversity, because they believe that integrity and meaning is more important than money ”
Apartfrombeingaleading entrepreneur,Aleetzaisthemotherof twobeautifulchildrenwhokeepsher dailystressaway.Sheisalsoan adventureenthusiastandhermost remarkablememoriesinclude traveling,climbingKotaKinabalu, skydivingandvisitingexoticsplaces likeMaldivesandwalkingtheGreat WallinChina.Sheshedssome interestingwordsabouttravelingand says,“Travel makes us aware that the world is larger than ourselves and much more accepting towards diverse culture, religion, and environment.”
Bepatientanddoitfortheright reasons,notthroughtheget-rich-quick route.Beinganentrepreneurisexciting anddauntingallinthesameday When youwakeupeachday,youneedto knowwhyyouaredoingwhatyouare doing,notjustforyourself,foryour familyandanyonethatinvestsor workswithyou.Believeinyourcause andbeopeninthejourney.
www.sparkline.com
Becomeapossibilitarian.Nomatterhowdarkthingsseemtobeor actuallyare,raiseyoursightsandseepossibilities-alwayssee them,forthey’realwaysthere.”-NormanVincentPeale.
AccordingtotheU.S.DepartmentofLabor,75percentofmotherswith childrenunder18areworkingfulltime.Aslifebecomesbusier,especiallyfor momswhoareraisingfamilieswhilejugglingsuccessfulcareers,prioritizing healthandfitnesscanbeachallenge. Inanindustrywherepeopleoftenrecycle thesameoldideas,onewomanistakingadifferentapproach. MeetAsh Robinson,CEOatFIT4MOM,whoistakingasustainableandholisticapproach towomen’soverallwellnessandredefiningfitnessatoneoftheworld’slargest wellnesscompaniesfocusedexclusivelyonmothers.
ThroughFIT4MOM,womenreceiveaccesstohealthy,supportivecommunitiesof womenwhentheybegintoprioritizetheirownself-care,ofwhichfitnessandnutrition playasignificantrole.Despitethecontinuedgrowthoffit-tech,onlineprogramsand workoutsondemand,FIT4MOMbelievestheirkeydifferentiatorisits1,800local communitiesofmomswhoactuallyknowandsupporteachotherinperson.
Withapassiontounlocktheeconomiccontributionofwomeninlocalcommunities worldwidethroughimprovingaccesstoresources,Ashismakingamajorcontributiontothe wellnessindustrythroughFIT4MOM.Inthelastyearalone,thesalesatitsfranchiselocations haveincreased over45%.Shehasalsosuccessfullyinimplementedscalabletechnology,
‘‘
My passion is to unlock the economic contribution of women in local communities worldwide through improving access to resources ‘‘
Ash Robinson CEO
establishedagrowthcultureand generatedextraordinarilyhighgrowth inthechainwiderevenueinhertwo yeartenure.
TheInspiringJourneyofthis LeadingEntrepreneur AshfirstbecameaCEOattheyoung ageof26,whenshesuccessfullygrew herearlyeducationcompanyintoa60 unitbrick-and-mortarfranchisechain. Shethensoldthatcompanytoapublic companywhereshebecametheCOO forfiveyears.In2014,shestartedher owncultureandleadershipconsulting firm,bon.fire,whichhelpsCEOsand businessownersnavigatesignificant leadershiptransition,cultureormarket change.Throughthiswork,shebegan aconsultingprojectatFIT4MOM, whichledhertobecometheCEOof thiscompany,sixmonthslater.
Onherroleatthecompany,shesaid, “FIT4MOMexistsattheintersection ofmyownpassionandpast experience—wecreatehealthy,local communitiesofmothersnationwide throughourfitness,nutritionand coachingprogramsusingafranchise model.”
Whilegoingdownthememorylane, Ashstatedthatshehasseenthe emergenceoftwokeythemesinher personalcareer —firstoneiscreating communities,whetherinclassesfor kids,peergroupsforentrepreneurs,or fitnessformoms—andtofulfillthat shehashelpedcreateandmanagea strongcommunityattheforefront.The secondthemeiswomen’sleadership andentrepreneurship,whereshehad thegreatpleasureofworkingand coachinghundredsofwomen executives,businessandfranchise owners.
“Seeingtheuniqueandpowerful combinationofwomencreating communityandwatchingbusiness
achieveorganic,exponentialgrowthis whatinspiresmedaily,”saysAsh.
EarlyonatFIT4MOM,Ashchoseto updateandevolvethecompany’s brandimageinaverysignificantway “Ibelievedthiswasanecessarychange toreachourtargetmarket-the millennialmom,”saidAsh.Shehas playedanactiveroleinchangingand alteringabrandimagethatwasnot onlysuccessful,butalsodeeply belovedandimportanttothousandsof womennationwide,whichwasabig challengeinternally
Makingachangeisnotatalleasy,no matterhowpositiveitcouldbe.Onthis brandchange,shewasmetwith resistancefromherownteam,and evensomeofthecompany’smost successfulfranchisees.Inthe beginning,theroadwasbumpy,filled withupsanddowns.Thosewhohave investeddeeplyingrowingthebrand fromthebeginningstartedtofeel that theycouldnotseethemselvesinthe newversion.Theyfeltthatitwastoo riskyastheyalreadyhadalarge customerbase.ButAsh madethe changeand itwassuccessful.Inonly 18months,therevenueofthecompany soared.
Shenowsays,“Ourteamhasreally takentoourmodernlookandstronger voiceandthey’relivingiteveryday FIT4MOMisabrandweareallproud torepresentandgrow.”
Ashtalkedaboutthemajor contributingfactorsbehindher company’ssuccesswhichincluded majorinvestmentsmadeintothebrand refresh,buildinganincredibleteam andcultureofsalesandrevenue growth,deployingnewtechnology fromalearningmanagementsystem, deliveryofvirtualtrainingandcourses
andlaunchingWorkplacebyFacebook, whichconnecteditsgeographically dispersedteamofemployees,owners andinstructorsintoapowerfuland personalizedonlinecommunity.
AbouttheCompanyRe-shapingthe World FIT4MOMisthenation’sleading companyforpre-andpost-natalhealth, wellness,andfitnessprogramsforall stagesofmotherhood.Headquartered inSanDiego,California,FIT4MOM hasfranchisesthroughouttheUS, reachinghundredsofthousandsof mothersalloverthenation.With FIT4MOM’snewestdigitalcampaigns andproducts,FIT4MOMiscontinuing toexpandtoreachwomen,mothers, andfamiliesworldwide.
“FIT4MOMismorethanafitness franchise;webelieveinbuilding communitiesthroughconnectingwith localfamilies,businesses, entrepreneurs,andneighborhoods,” saysAsh.
Ash'syoungandadorablekids,their tenacitytolearnandresilience,their ever-expandingoptimism,andtheir desiretohelpothers,iswhatinspires hereverydaytocreateabetterworld. Ashconcludestheinterviewbysaying, “Watchingandlearningfromwomenat FIT4MOMastheyjugglethedemands ofmodernmotherhoodwithcareer,all whilepositivelyimpactingthelivesof othersisamazing…andallthe inspirationIneedtodomypart!”
We don’t believe in just doing strategy. We believe that to win in business, you need to be strategic. So that’s what we bring to our business consulting, as well as our digital and creative execution offerings
CEOFewCEOscanlayclaimtoalaw degree,astintasastreet performer,ataekwondoblack belt,andbeingaco-founderof Australia’sbest-reviewedagency (accordingtoGoogleMyBusiness). Butthismotleymedleyisexactlywhat you’llfindonAshtonBishop’srésumé. AshtonistheCEOatStepChange,a strategicallyledmarketingagencywith apragmaticbusinessthinkingbasedin Pyrmont.
Withalistofachievementsthatreads morelikeabucketlistthanaCV,he hasrunmillion-dollarcampaignsfor billion-dollarbrands,created Australia’sfirstmobileapp,wonfilm awards,guest-lecturedatleading universities,andwonSpeakerofthe YearforAustralia’snumberoneCEO network—threetimes.
Asapredatorymarketerandexpertin pinpointinghowbrandscangrowby outsmartingtheircompetitors,Ashton isbecomingtheprimarycatalystto “inspirestepchangesinbusinessesand people”withhisaptlynamedstartup, StepChange,whichhefoundedwith businesspartnerJeffCooperin2009.
Builtonthebeliefthatstrategywithout creativityisarecipeformediocrityand creativitywithoutstrategydelivers moremissesthanhits,StepChangeis outsmartingitsowncompetitorswitha 30-strongteamofcreativemavericks andstrategicthinkerswhoareracking upaclientlistfloodedwithhousehold namesincludingHewlettPackard, FairfaxMedia,CommonwealthBank, ANZ,TEDxSydney,SonyPictures, andAGLtonameafew
AnUnusualJourneyto ExtraordinarySuccess
Tasmanian-bornBishophasalways lovedachallenge.Fromstatetitlesin athleticsandablackbeltinmartialarts tograduatingfromuniversitywitha lawcommercedegree,Ashtontookthe nextlogicalstep:heranawaywiththe circus.Afterthosethreefatefuldays
andhissubsequentyetstill-born sojourninstand-upcomedy,heaspired toacareerinadvertising.Theresult wasaturnintelesales.
Neveronetobackdown,hewentonto spendthenextdecadeworkingforthe likesofOgilvywhilesimultaneously acquiringtheglobalpatentforColor ChangingFootwearandlaunchingEric theCircle,theworld’sfirstdraw-ityourselfcartoonwithover20,000 iterations.
Butbythen,theGFCwasinfull swing,andthethreatofbankruptcy loomed.Hehadafamilytotakecare of,alongwiththesetwomassively riskystartups;andjusttospicethings up,Ashtonquithiscomfortableand high-payingconsultingjobtodedicate himselftoStepChangefulltime.
Atthecompany’sinception,heand Jeffhadnostablecapital,noclient base,andnotruestandoutofferingto attractmoreofeither.Itwasworthit.
Eightyearson,Ashtonisnowatthe helmofathrivingcreativehubacross sixregionallocations,hasaloving wifeandtwoadorablechildrenandhas evenbuilthisownbespokeleadership programsPowerfulPresenceand PowerfulwithPurpose.
OncejusttwoguyssharingaMacand survivingoncreditcards,StepChange hasnowevolvedintoastrategic marketingpowerhouse,cateringto over100uniquebusinesseseveryyear, withaturnovergraph“that’s got a healthy ‘hockey stick’ feel to it”,andto thisday,isallaboutinspiringstep changesinbusinessesandpeople.
Theagency’seclecticclientlistcovers allsectorsfromfinanceandtechto healthcare,media,food—even funeralhomes.AndAshtongetsakick outofmentioningthatthey’verecently takenonafertilityclinic:“Sowereally arebirthtoburialacrossthebusiness now.”
Asanagency,theirstrengthliesin tappingintothesymbiosisof marketingandstrategy.“Wedon’t believeinjustdoingstrategy,”states Ashton.“We believe that to win in business, you need to be strategic. So that’s what we bring to our business consulting, as well as our digital and creative execution offerings.”
Fromhishumbleoriginsinstreet performingandcallcentersto survivingtheinevitableadversityof multiplestartups,it’seasytoseehow thisturbulenthistorycouldfostermore altruisticmotivations.
“While I have many aims, goals, and passions, my greatest challenge is to stay [focused] on the difference I can make in the present moment,”says Ashton.“In a world of distractions, frustrations, and confusion, I believe there’s huge power available by staying present in the moment.”
Whatdriveshimishisabilitytoequip leaderstorealizetheirpotentialand leadingthemtolivemorefulfilled lives.Andwhatbetterenvironmentto dothisthanaconsultancy:“I’m very fortunate that the work we do at Step Change with business leaders and their organisations allows me to be a part of many people’s journeys.”
Ashtonattributesthecreditofhis successtohisowntrinityofmentors: “Mark Nichols, who got me started as a presenter; Gavin Larkin, who got me focused on the difference I can make; and Dave Trott, who taught me how to think.”
Andhisadvicetobudding entrepreneurs?“Understand risk. Get a mentor to avoid making mistakes you can’t afford to make. Learn how to learn. Stay curious. And remember that life’s a song, not a journey — google Alan Watts on this.”
CindyJutras President
Inthisfaced-pacedera,where technologicalevolutionisa massivechallengeforevery business,entrepreneurshipoftenentails significantrisks.Owingtothe challengesinachievingacompetitive edge,it’simperativefornew-age entrepreneurstodwellwiththosetimid soulswatchingtheiroldbusiness modelssufferslowbutinevitable defeat.Thereisnodoubt,making headwayinthisevolvingmaelstromof businessandtechnology transformationistough.However, failuretoactwillonlymake tomorrow’staskmoreinsurmountable.
Here’sastoryofacraftswomanwho daredtotakerisksandchallengethe existingbrandsandcategories.Cindy Jutrasfoundedthetechnology researchandadvisoryfirm,Mint Jutras,whichspecializesinanalyzing thebusinessimpactofenterprise applications.Combiningdeepand broaddomainexpertise,yearsof technologyexperienceandfresh primaryresearch,thecompanyoffers actionableinsightsonhowtomake softwareinvestmentspaydividends.
TheOnewhodaredtobeDifferent Cindystartedhercareerasa programmer/analystworkingina manufacturingcompany.Itwasthe timewhenveryfewwomenwerein theprofessionalranksofbusinesses, thetimewhenmost“professional” womenbackthenwereeitherteachers ornurses.Afterafewmonthsof competentlyprogressinginherroleof asoftwareexpert,Cindyrealizedher rolewasoverheadatthemanufacturing company.Soonafter,shewasworking forcompaniesthatproducedandsold enterpriseapplications.Sheworkedfor thosesoftwarecompaniesforover30 yearsbeforebecominganindustry analyst.
must realize that a lot of limitations we come across are self-imposed
After 14 different acquisitions (sometimes as the acquirer, sometimes the acquired) I had done just about everything I ever wanted to do in software, from designing and writing code, to product management, marketing, pre-sales and consulting and a lot of things I never wanted to do (pricing and licensing and alliance management),” mentionsCindy.
Withover40yearsofcorporate experience,Cindyisnowawidely recognizedexpertinanalyzingthe impactofenterpriseapplicationson businessperformance.Cindy establishedMintJutrasdrivenbyher passiontoproducesomethingtangible fromherefforts.She’sanentrepreneur, whoderivesgreatenjoymentand satisfactionoutofproducing something.Inherprofessionallife,this includessurveying,writingand speaking,aswellasmentoringyounger professionals.Thiskindof entrepreneurshipthrivesfrommoving fastandfurious,sincespeedisa powerfulassetinthecompetitive world.
TheInceptionStory&Challenges ERPsystemsareoftenthebackboneof anysuccessfulcompany—connecting allaspectsoftheenterpriseand providingemployeeswiththeessential informationneededtokeepthe businessrunning.Tostreamlineand automatebusinessprocesses,capturing therighttransactionaldataisan importantaspect.Everyanalystand analystfirmoperatesunderadifferent businessmodel.MintJutrasisan independentresearchandadvisoryfirm thatspecializesinanalyzingthe businessimpactofenterprise applications.Itwasadaringtaskfor Cindytooverlookherwell-positioned roleofanindustryanalystandstart buildingfromscratch.Shesaid,“I had
no supporting infrastructure – no IT team, no legal team, no one marketing me or my services, no one selling them… and no paycheck. Sounds like a nightmare but it was actually quite thrilling!”Leadershiprequiresvision, daring,andorganization,butitalso requiresthecreationofstrong communitiesthatcanwithstandfailure, uncertainty,andcompetingjoboffers.
Cindyprovedherselfintheroleofa successfulPresidentatMintJutras thrivingundercompetitivepressures. Insteadofviewingcompetitionasan obstacle,sheperceiveditasan opportunityateveryturn.She maintainsacompetitiveedgeover otherindependentanalysts,aswellas thelargefirmslikeGartner,Forrester andIDC,evenassheoperatedundera non-competeagreementwithherprior firmintheearlyyearsofMintJutras. Cindyisaninspiringleaderwho definedherownuniquebusinessmodel anddistinguishedherorganizationina crowdedmarket.
Cindyasserts, “Even though we all have (slightly) different ways we make money, the challenge is in differentiating the firm. Mint Jutras’ writing and speaking style and the insights we share, which are based on a unique combination of 40+ years of experience, backed up with real data. And we have developed some signature products that not only deliver insights, but also include a call to action.”
Unlikeotheranalystfirmswhoserve theenduser,MintJutrasservesthe vendorcommunity.Thecompany deliversactionableinsightsthrough contentsuchaspublishedreports,blog posts,speakingengagementsand advisoryservices.Theteamwritesand speakstobusinessdecision-makers, buttheircustomersarethesolution
Overthepastsixyears,MintJutrashas managedtotripleitsannualrevenue statsandhashadrealinfluenceinthe market.Aboveall,Cindycontemplates themarketacceptanceofMintJutras’ signatureproductsofvitalimportance. Sheenvisionsstrengtheningthe reputationofbothMintJutrasasa firm,andCindyJutrasasananalyst. Hercorefocusissimplyoncontinuing todeliverthekindofuniquevaluethat hasbecomethehallmarkofMint Jutras.Herpersonalgoalistoleavethe worldabetterplace,whetherthat meansaddingbeautyasanartist,being arolemodel,influencingyounger peopletorecognizeandrealizetheir fullpotential,orgivingbacktothe community
Sheadvisesthenewentrantsin businessciting, “Clearly define your business, develop a business model and evolve with it. Be willing and able to take risks. You no longer get paid just for showing up.”
Cindy holds a Masters of Applied Science from Boston University and graduated summa cum laude with a BA from Merrimack College in mathematics, with concentration in physics and computer science. She has traveled the world speaking at executive conferences on her original supply chain concept, Virtually Vertical Manufacturing.Shehasalsoauthored thebook‘ERP Optimization’ aswellas numerousmagazinearticlesandhas publishedhundredsofbenchmarksand otherresearchreports.
SOSSecurityisaleadingproviderofsecurity personnelandrelatedservices,helpingabroadrange ofclientsinthecorporate,governmentandhighnet worthsectorstoprotecttheirpeople,assets,and reputations.Today,SOSSecurityisthefifthlargestsecurity personnelcompanyintheUSandgrowing.
ForEdwardBSilverman,CPP,thejourneybeganshortly afterhegraduatedasapolygraphexaminer Afterattending theUniversityofMaryland,heproceededtotheBackster SchoolofLieDetection.Shortlythereafter,hestartedhis careeradministeringpolygraphexaminationsbuiltaround investigativeservices.
Itwasn’tlongbeforehesensedthattherewere opportunitiesbeyondpolygraphservices. Security Operations Systems wasfoundedin1969,asanoffshootto hisfather’swindowcleaningcompany, International Services,whichalsoprovidedlimited“watchguard” servicesfortheirclients.
Therealjourneybeganintheearly‘70s,afterEdward obtainedhisNewJerseyPrivateInvestigatorlicense.By then,hehadbeenoperatinghispolygraphbusinessforfour tofiveyears,alreadyengagingwithclientsandlisteningto theirfeedback.
Thiswasalsoaperiodofmergersandacquisitions,andasa result,manyoftheirclientsweresuddenlyregional, nationalandglobalplayers.Atthesametime,thesecurity industrybigplayerswereconsolidating:Pinkertonbecame theSecuritas,WackenhutbecameG4S,andGuardsmark
wasacquiredbyUniversal,whichwas lateracquiredbyAlliedtoformAllied Universal.
Asclientsencouragedhimto“grow withus,”heknewhecouldn’tignore theopportunitiesanylonger.He changedthecompanynameto SOS Security tobettercompeteforthelonghaul,beganprovidingsecurity personnelandrelatedservices,and startedmakingmajorinvestmentsin thecompany.
In1991,Edwardestablishedcompany headquartersatOneSecurityPlazain Parsippany,NJ.Asclientsfacednew securitychallenges,thecompany acquiredanddeployednewsecurity expertise,methodicallysettingup operationsinmanystates,onestateata time,andcontinuingtoaddthebest resourcesdomesticallyandabroadto meetclientneeds.
“I knew we could create a new benchmark for quality, and achieve the goals developed in partnership with our clients,”saysEdward.“That’s why we invested in institutionalizing our quality and client-centric culture and developing what has become our hallmark programs – the Pursuit of Excellence and Team Partnership Program (TPP).”
The“PursuitofExcellence”program providesaframeworktorecognize employeesforachievement,client satisfaction,andquality TheTPP formalizedthecompany’sapproachto openandtrustingclientrelationships. Witheachclientengagement,theTPP hasplayedavitalroleinopen communication,teamworkand accomplishmentofgoals,requirements andexpectations.Headds,“With TPP, we committed to learning and growing
with our clients by maintaining regular and transparent communication on all key program aspects.”
Withthefoundationlaid,thenextstep wasbuildinghisteam.Heknewwitha teamofthebestpeople,hecould providehigh-qualityservicesandbuild afirst-classsecuritycompany.To maintainsustainablegrowth,Edward recruitedexpertiseofformerSecret ServiceandFBIagents,stateandlocal policeandindustryexperts.
Healsoestablishedstrategic partnershipswiththebestinternational companiestosupportitsemerging globalclientele,saying,“Adding the “best of the best” to our team was the key in maintaining what we were building.”Currently,thecompanyhas about10,000employeesandgrowing, with70officesinmajormetropolitan areasthroughouttheworld.
Continuingitscommitmenttoclient operations,thecompanyrecentlybuilt astate-of-the-artGlobalCommand Centertosupportoperationsand servicesrangingfromsecurity personnelandexecutiveprotection,to retaillosspreventionandrisk management,intelligenceanalysisand fireandlifesafety
Edwardsayshismotivationcame early,andfromperhapsasurprising source-his7thgradetrackcoach.“He taught me to believe in myself. He instilled the concept that to achieve goals, you need to believe in yourself and work harder than everyone else. I knew I was not the most gifted athlete, but I was the most dedicated. I believed
in myself and I worked hard, which led to a full college scholarship and after college, competing in over 30 marathons - always striving to be the best for myself, and at the same time balancing work, family and fitness. You may even say I was “obsessively dedicated” – with my efforts leading to qualifying for the Olympic trials,”said Edward,adding,“My biggest asset is my optimism. Likewise, my biggest fear is disappointing myself, because if I disappoint myself, I will disappoint those that count on me.”
Havingbeeninbusinessfornearly50 years,therehavebeenmany milestonesalongtheway.Frombeing recognizedrepeatedlyasoneofthe fastestgrowingsmallcompaniesinNJ, tooneofthetop50largestsecurity companiesintheUS,tonowbeingthe fifthlargestsecuritycompanyinthe U.S.,withnosignsofslowingdown.
Fromthebeginning,growthhasbeen drivenbyadedicationtomeetclients’ evolvingsecurityrequirements.As needsexpandedandchanged,sodid thescopeandcharacterofSOS Security’sgrowingportfolioofsecurity solutions.
Goingforward,Edwardbelievesthe greatestchallengewillbetocontinue growthwhileremainingboutique.“I believe we can stay ‘small’way past a billion,”saidEdward,“We will continue to have a team of top talent focusing on our client priorities, we’ll work hard to attract the best resources and partners, and strategically acquire like-minded companies to help us deliver our global security mission.”
Successfulentrepreneurstypicallypossessagrowing
mindset.Ratherthantryingtoprovetheyarebetter thanothers,theyemphasizeontryingtoimprove themselves.Suchleadershavefaithinbuildingstrong, collaborativeteamsandaredrivenbypureoptimismas theyseethemselvesasgeniuseswhoonlyneedhelpersto implementtheirideas.Thepersonhavingtherightattitude andsmartdecisionmakingskillisgreetedbysuccess. Businessmenwhodaretoleadalifestrivingfortheir personalbestknowsthemirageofperfectionandknows wellthatperfectionisnotalwayspossible,infact,it'shard toachieve.
Oneiscontinuouslyevolving,changing,andmoving throughlife.Itisthefocusonchasingperfectionand attainingexcellenceforresults,whattakesthemforward. Businessisasharedexperienceguidedbyshared perceptionofrolesandobjectives.Successfulpeoplehave
thezealtochasetheperfectionandendupmeetingwith excellency
AlteringThePathisanApproachtoaNewChoice
Successfulpeoplearewheretheyaretodaybecauseoftheir goals.Goalsdetermine95%ofaperson’sbehavior.Itis veryimportanttoknowthedifferencebetweenthegoals thatinspireandgoalsthattrap.Perfectionismisperhapsthe mostcommongoalsettingtrap.Goals,bydefinitionare meanttobetheideals.Thebeststoriesaboutentrepreneurs arefulloffreshbeginningsandunexpecteddetours.Ifyou findyourselfcriticizedbyothersonwhatyou’redoing,or feelingfrustratedevenwhenthingsaregoingwell,think aboutmakinganewplan.
Successlooksdifferenttodifferentpeople Successlooksdifferenttoeveryone.Beingsuccessful actuallyrequiresthezealtodrive,theambitionandtowork
efficiently.Itinvolvesnumerousfailuresandtheabilityto comebackfromthosefailuresandcontinuestostrivefor success,iswhatdrivespeopletobesuccessful.For entrepreneurs,theymaylookatsuccessintermsoftheir bottomline.Oncetheyachievecertainfinancialmilestones, theybelievethattheyhavemadeit.Successcanbedefined insomanyotherways.Ifwejustfocusonmoney,welose thesightofthebiggerpictureinlife.Strivingtomakethe bottomlineatallcostswhiledisregardingpeople,the environmentandthecommunity,mayprovideshort-term prosperity,butonceagain,ithasthe“Iwin”mentality whileputtingdownordisregardingtheeffectsonothers.
Thereisasaying-Humansalwaysresistchangeastheyfear togooutoftheircomfortzones.Itisanaturaland reassuringthingtoresistputtingourselvesinnew situations.Oneneedstoencourageaphilosophyof
constant,logical,andsustainableimprovementthroughout theorganization.Thisallowscontinuousimprovementtogo beyondbeingasloganonaposter,soitbecomestheway companyoperatesatalltimes.
ItisbytheabilitytolearnthatonefindsSuccess.The successfulentrepreneursoftenareinspiredbysomeone iconicortheysettheirmindsinviewingtheirbossesor mentorsasaninspiration.Theyareresourcesforthese peopletobeopento.Ifonegoesintoanysituation believingthattheissuehasalreadybeenfiguredout,he stuntsouttheabilitytobecomemoresuccessful.Whenone isnotcaughtupinprovinghimselforshowingoffhisskills andtalentheismorerelaxedandisopentolearn.Things arenotfrantic.Thepersonisopentolistenandobserve, whichallowsonetoprogress.
TheCorrectAttitudeandEfforttoCreateFuture Believingintheeffortonehastoputalwaysgivesfruitful results.Businessmanshouldbelievethattoachievegreatest potentialinlifeonehastolearntomonitortheattitudeand itsimpactontheworkperformance,relationshipsand everyonearoundhim.Attitudetalkisawaytooverridethe pastnegativeprogrammingbyerasingorreplacingitwitha conscious,positiveinternalvoicethathelpsonefacenew directions.Theinternalconversation—thatlittlevoiceone listenstoalldaylong—actslikeaseedinthatandleadsto theprogramminginthebrainandaffectsbehavior.
BelievingThatThereExistsanAngle
Itistheirbeliefthatinanysituationtocomeupwith somethinggoodtherehastobesomelows.Therecannotbe goodwithoutbad,henceitisthespiritoffindingcreative andfruitfulangletoeverydreadfulsituationtheyface duringtheirentrepreneurshipcareer.Thesebusinessmen tendtomendthemselvesinsuchawaythattheyfindan angletocomeoutofthestatefromwhichtheywere strugglingtofight.Acknowledgingthefactthattheir serviceissomethinglargerthantheroughtimetheyhave beenfacingallowsthemtoemergeinamuchbetterway.
Achievingperfectionmayneverhappenbuttheresultscan leadtooutcomesthatwereneverimagined.Thepeoplewho areknowntobeachievingsuccessmightbedaringly slavingawayinthebackgroundforyears;decadeseven,to turntheirdreamsintoreality Togothrougheachstageof success,onehastomasterthatlevelofabilityandthenthe nextstepwouldunfoldnaturally.
Intoday’sfastchangingworld,‘change’ is the only constant. The IT and data centerindustryisnodifferentinthatitis changing rapidly and at an ever faster pace. FormanyorganizationsthebudgetfortheIT department is hardly growing, yet the demandforITservicesaregrowingatarapid paceandtherefore,arisestheneedforCIO’s tosqueezemoreoutofeverydollartheyhave available in their limited budgets. It is therefore not surprising that the enterprise data center market is moving into cloud, standardized solutions as well as deploying hybrid solutions by combining on- premise datacentersandcloudsolutionstomaximize ITcapabilities,improvespeedofinnovation whilemaintainingbudgets.
In this fast pacing industry and rapidly changing world, one leader who is making extraordinarybenchmarksintheindustryof the Data Center with passion and energy is EdwardvanLeent,ChairmanandCEOof EPIGroupofCompanies,aleadingglobal player in the data center services industry providing services such as data center audit and certification, data center consultancy and globally accredited data center and IT training courses. Equipped with a strong technicalandbusinessbackground,Edward has led the company to be the largest ANSI/TIA-942 audit & certification organization in the world Under his leadership,thecompanyhasalsoestablished itself to be the first and largest globally accredited data center training company in theworld.Heisthedrivingforcebehindthe growthofthecompanyfromalocalUK
brand into a globally recognized brand fordatacenterservices.
Being a result oriented person, Edward alwayskeepsthebiggerpictureinmind while looking at operational excellence to ensure maximum efficiency Behind every successful person there is always someone or something that motivates them, supports them in the hard times and push them more towards the destined success. Similarly, Edward is thankful to his parents for supporting himtobewhatheistoday.“I came from a low incoming upbringing, but my father and mother gave me the best educationtheycouldaffordandgaveme great values to which I still live by such as win ethically, work hard, work smart and let nothing stop you from reaching yourgoals,”saysEdward.
Edward is an extremely hardworking person who turned every opportunity intoasuccessfultrailtomakehiscareer a progressive one. He started his career in electronics and chip design, Edward then moved into the CAD/CAM industrywherehegrewhimselffroman engineer to supervisor and then the manager Soon after that he moved into theHigh-Availabilitycomputeranddata center industry where he held various sales and senior leadership roles and where he was awarded the “Chairman Achievement Award” Achievement Awardasoneofthehighestaccoladein hiscareer ThecareergraphofEdward’s life took another huge rise in the year 1997, when he moved to Asia as the DirectorofCustomerServicesBusiness Development for the Asia-Pacific region.
Everything changed again in the year 1999; it is then when Edward moved to EPI as the CEO for Asia-Pacific In 2001, he became the Chairman & CEO
for the company looking after all worldwide affairs. Since then till now, theleadingentrepreneurhasmanagedto growEPItobeaglobalbrandwithnine offices worldwide supporting a partner network serving over 50 countries and over 130 cities. With a passion for the data center industry increasing the quality of data centers and assisting people working in the industry to gain the required competences and personal development,heisleadingthecompany to serve people globally and win recognitionsworldwide.
Since 1987, EPI is delivering a wide range of data center services, enabling businesses worldwide to design, implement, optimize, test, operate and maintain their mission - critical data centertoensureitmeetsandexceedsthe business expectations. It offers a wide range of globally accredited certified datacenterprofessionaltrainingcourses such as CDCP, CDCS, CDCE, CDFOM, CDRP, CDMS, CTDC, CTIA, CTEAalong with other certified ITprofessionaltrainingcoursessuchas CITP, CITS, CITE which are fully aligned with the European eCompetenceFramework.Thesecourses enable organizations to educate and align their staff on data center design principles, data center efficiency, green data center principles, data center migration, and ANSI/TIA-942 design andaudit.
EPIwasoriginallyintheindustryofdata center design and built, with a very successful reputation in Europe. But startingthesamebusinessinAsiaturned outtobeverydifferent.Whiletakingan interview of the CEO of EPI, Edward shared his experiences and stated that starting the same business in Asia was challenging since the strategy, which was very successful in Europe, didn’t
work out in Asia as by the time they arrived inAsia, the market was already dominated by a few players who were working at cut throat prices to outcompete each other on price rather thanquality
Edwardsoonrealizedthatalthoughthey had won recognitions worldwide, products and pricing on the basis of Europeanstandardswasnotreallygoing tohelpthemintheAsianmarket.Hence, hechangedtheentirebusinessmodelof thecompanyandmoveditfrombeinga data center design and build company intoadatacenteraudit,certificationand training organization It required a complete revamp of the organization including the staff to align the organization with the new business vision and strategy. It was a daring decision which Edward took, but in the end,itprovedtobetherightmoveandas a result of his strategy, putting in place an efficient operating model and by aligning the human capital he managed to turn-around the business Edward talked about the steps he took and said, “As a result of our strategy and operational excellence we have now become the largest training and data centerauditorganizationintheworld.”
Edward concluded the interview by advising the budding entrepreneurs and saying, “Have a razor-sharp focus Make sure you have a strategy and appropriate operating model and hire the best people you can find. Make sure you keep a razor-sharp focus and don’t get dragged into all kind of opportunities that might come along side as that will distract you from your path.Stickwithyourstrategicdecision.”
Make sure you keep a razor-sharp focus and don't get dragged into all kind of opportunities that might come along side as that will distract you from your path to success
Everyonelikestotalkabout“start-ups”and “entrepreneurs.” Startingabusinessis exhilarating;itisallaboutthepossibilities. Butanyonewhohasstartedandgrownabusiness willtellyouthatstart-upsareeasybutscale-ups arehard
Togrowyouneedfourthings: Commitment, Customers,CapitalandCapacity. Manypeoplestart abusinesstocreateajobforthemselves. Others wanttobuildacompanythatgrowsandsucceeds beyondtheirtenure. Behonestwithyourself–and yourfamily. Withoutyourcommitmentandtheirs, successisnotpossible. Thefollowingtipswillhelp youmaintainadaringattitudeasyoumanagethe challengesofscaling.
10. CapitalizeonTriggerEvents–Inorderto securethatbigtargetcustomer,youmustengage themwhentheyareopentobeingengaged. Trigger eventsareeventsthatmaketheprospectivecustomer opentoengaging. Itcouldbeamarketevent (positiveornegative),acompetitor’smove,a changeinleadership,etc. Forexample,ifyour prospectisquotedinanarticleonaparticulartopic oreventyouknowthatisanareaofinterestfor them. Daretoframeyourvalueinthecontextofthe triggerevent.
Lara Hodgson, President & amp; CEO of NOW Corp, is a leading and daring entrepreneur, who is known not only for her extraordinary professional career but also for her excellence in her academic career. With a major degree in Aerospace Engineering from the prestigious Georgia Tech and graduation degree from Harvard Business School, Lara possesses an enormous knowledge in the engineering and business world. She has graduated with highest honors and went on to be named as one of the top 20 students in the US by USA Today. She not only serves as CEO of NOW Corp, but she also serves as Board President for Atlanta Heights Charter School, trustee of the Ga Tech Alumni Association board, member of the boards of the Ga Tech Engineering College, the Ga Tech Scheller College of Business and Patterson Real Estate Advisory Group, and Entrepreneur in Residence at Harvard Business School.
9.ChangetheGame–Whenyourmarketisaccustomedtocompetingalongacertainsetofattributes,findanother attributeandoffersomethingdifferentthatrequiresotherstopivotinordertocompete. Forexample,ifyourindustry isaccustomedtorequiringdepositsorupfrontpayment,andcompetitorscompeteonprice,findawaytooffer extendedterms. Don’tcommoditizeyourproductorservicebycompetingjustontheaxisthatcompetitorshaveset. Daretochangethegame.
8.BeCreative–Mostfollowtherulesofengagementthathavebeensetbytheirpredecessors. Takeariskandget noticed. Thekeytobeingcreativeistofirstbecurious. Askquestions. WhatyouNOTICEismoreimportantthan whatyouKNOW. Daretonoticeanddaretoask“Why?”
7.FindHolesintheGatebutAlwaysBefriendtheGatekeepers–Gettingthroughtothedecision-makercanbe difficult,butdon’tletthatstopyou.Callafterhoursandspelltheperson’snameinthevoicemailsystem,trya commonemailmoniker,andifyoudogetthrough,besureyourmessageisshortandintriguing. Inyourzesttoget aroundthegatekeeper,don’tforgetthatthegatekeepercanbeyourbestfriend! Ifyoucandeveloparapportwithhim orher,youwillnothavetocrawlthroughaholeinthefenceagain. Daretofindaholeandtofindafriend.
6.FailFastandFailForward–FailureisnotOK. FailureisAWESOME!Failurehappenswhenyoutakearisk, youtrysomethingnew,andthesooneryoufailthecheaperitis! Failuregetsyouonestepclosertosuccess.Ifyou don’tfailatsomethingthisweek,shameonyou! Daretofailatsomethingeveryweekandtocelebrateit!
5.ForgetWork-LifeBalance–Canyouhavework-lifebalanceornot? Itisthewrongquestion. Youcanhaveitbut youdon’twantit. Whenasee-sawonaplaygroundisbalancedeverythingisaverageandIhavenodesiretobean averagemom,anaveragewifeoranaverageCEO. Insteadofbalancefocusonoptimizationandstoptryingtomultitask. Youwillaccomplishmoreandyouwilldoeverythingbetter. Daretostoptryingtoachievebalance.
4.PickYourDoorCarefully–Alldoorsdonotleadtorevenue. Whenyoumakeacontactwithinaprospective customerorganization,thinkaheadtowhomtheright“buyer”willbe. Don’tchaseapathintotheorganizationthatis notdirectlyconnectedtoyourdesiredtarget. Forexample,ifyouaretryingtogettothechiefprocurementofficer,the factthatyouknowapersoningovernmentrelationsmaynothelp. Alsobeawareofinternalpolitics,ifyoucomein thewrongdoorthenwhenyougettoyourtargetyoumaynothavecredibilityorsupportbasedonthedooryoucame through. Daretobepatient.
3.DiversifyYourPortfolio–Whilethatbigcustomermaylooklikethekeytoyoursuccess,don’tbuildabusiness aroundonecustomerorevenonetypeofcustomer. Manysmallbusinessesgooutofbusinessbecausetheironelarge customergetsacquiredorgoesoutofbusiness. Trytohaveamixofbothcommercialandgovernmentcustomers. In someeconomiccyclesgovernmentpurchasesmoreandattimeswhengovernmentbudgetsarecutyoucanrelyon yourcommercialcustomerstokeepthebusinessgrowing. Daretodiversify.
2.GrowWithoutGrowingtoDeath–Morebusinessesgrowoutofbusinessthangooutofbusiness. Larger customerstypicallyequallargersales,buttheyalsotakelongertopay,whichputsastrainonyourcompany’scash flow. Commonadviceistogetaloanorusefactoringtofundthecredittoyourcustomer. Ifyouselltoconsumers, youcanacceptcreditcardsforpaymentandgetridofA/Rwithoutanydebtorliability. Ifyouselltobusinessesand governments,youcanuseNOWaccount®,aB2Bpaymentsystem, togetpaidimmediatelyandeliminateA/Rwithno debtorliabilitywhenyourcustomerwon’tpaywithacreditcard. Daretogrowfearlessly.
1.BeSureYourGlassCeilingIsn’tReallyaStickyFloor–Alltoooftenthegreatestlimitationonourbusiness’ growthisus. Weholdbackgrowthoutoffear,uncertainty,lackofvision,andourabilitytobringintalent. Havethe couragetostepoutofyourcomfortzone.Youdon’thavetobeanexpertateverything.Bringinstrongresourcesso youcanspendtimeworkingonyourbusinessnotjustinit.
“
Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.”-MuhammadAli,theLegendary Boxer
Beingthereandplayingaleadingrolein anyindustryformorethanhalfacenturyis oneofthegreatestexperiencesan entrepreneurcaneverearn.Notonlydoes itmakeoneseasonedabouttheindustry,it alsomakesthepersonreadytofightany battleinthatfield.Inanybusiness,onehas
ExecutiveThedifferencebetween ariskandanopportunityishowfastyou discoverit–andactonit.Wehelp ourclientsmakethatdifference ‘‘ ‘‘
Erik Rasmussen Founder &
Chairman
tostruggleeverymoment,daretotake risksandkeeponfightingtosurvive thebattle.Onesuchdaringbusiness leaderwhoisinnovatingnewwaysto helpclientsquicklyturnglobalrisks intonewandsustainableopportunities isErikRasmussen,Founderand ExecutiveChairmanatSustainia,an internationalsustainabilityadvisory group&digitalstudioworkingto accelerateactiontowardsasustainable future.
Theworldisfast-changingandevery organizationhastokeepreinventing andchangingitselftokeepupthepace. Withanenormouswealthof experienceofbeinginthemediaand thinktankbusinessfor58years,Erik notonlyknowsthetricksofthetrade inpublishing,butalsohasasteady fingeronthepulsewhenitcomesto cutting-edgeinnovationthatwillbuild tomorrow’ssustainablesociety.Under Erik’sintenseguidance,Sustainiais showingtheworldthatbehindevery riskliesanopportunity,andtheyare themselvesapplyingthismindsetwhen theyexplorenewmarketsthrough networksofhundredsofexperts, thoughtleadersandbusinessleaders.
“I like to challenge myself by taking risks. It’s part of my DNA to seek ways to push boundaries and people’s perception of what is possible. I have embarked on many ventures in my professional life, and every one were against all odds,”saysErik.
TakingRisksiswhattakesan EntrepreneurForward Constantlychallenginghimself,Erik continuouslyinnovates,thinksoutof theboxandmobilizesallhismental resourcestobringaboutnewwaysto workwithsustainability Witha missionofcreatinganewnarrative aroundsustainabilityandacceleratethe transitiontowardsasustainable society,Erikfoundedthecompany Sustainia.Withlastyear’slaunchof thedigitalsolutionsplatform, Global Opportunity Explorer,Sustainiaisnow
strivingtoturntheUnitedNation’s17 SustainableDevelopmentGoals (SDGs)intonewbusinessventures. TheGlobalOpportunityExplorerisa jointprojectofSustainia,DNVGLand UNGlobalCompact,createdonthe convictionthattheSDGsoffera myriadofbusinessopportunitieswith greatvaluetocompanies,societyand theenvironment.
Makingabusinessoutofsavingthe worldishighlychallengingandonlya fewpeopleintheworlddaretotake suchadaringdecision.Erikisoneof them.“Ithink we have had a good start and a magnificent journey ahead of us. But when you start ventures like this, you have to accept that failure is a realistic option,”hesays.
Erikfurtherexplainsthatallindustries facethesamechallenge:thespeedof change.Itisestimatedthatwithinjust twodecades,about75percentofthe corporationsonStandard&Poorslist overthe500biggestcompanieswillbe outofbusiness,simplybecausethey didn'tchangeandadaptinduetime. Thistellsusthatabusinessleadermust havethecouragetoreinventhis/hers businessifhe/shewantsittosurvivein thelongrun.AmottoinSustainiahas thereforebecome,“Kill your core or the core kills you.”Erikfurtheradds, “That is the reality of today, and that’s why it’s so important to move out of your comfort zone as a leader”
FromaCuriousLadtoaLeading Entrepreneur
Erikstartedhiscareeratjust17years oldasawriterforalocalDanish newspaper.Hequicklybecame fascinatedbyhowthenewsinfluences oursocietyandourminds,and discoveredcommunicationasadriver ofchangeandbehavior–something thathasguidedhimthroughouthis career.Furthermore,Erik’scuriosity earnedhimmultipleopportunitiesto test,innovateandexpandthenotionof journalism.Forexample,attheageof just27,Erikcreatedamilestoneinthe
mediaindustrybybecomingtheeditorin-chiefofthethencrisis-ridden Danishbusinessdaily,Børsen,which here-profiledandturnedintooneof themostinfluentialandprosperous dailies.Fromredefiningjournalism throughoutthe60s,70sand80s,Erik wentontofoundoneofScandinavia’s leadingthinktanksandmedia companies,MondayMorning.Even now,heisleadinghislatestcompany, Sustainia,withtheambitionofmaking itaglobalmarketleader.“For me it has been an ongoing motivation to challenge old standards and norms and expand the borders for what journalism and media can achieve,”he says.
Erik'spassionforjournalismhas earnedhimthemembershipofthe internationalMediaCouncilandhas alsoelectedhimtobeoneofthe world's100mostinfluentialjournalists byWorldEconomicForum.
Sustainiadoesn’tfitintoanytraditional sector,butprovidesadvisoryand analysistohelpclientsturnglobalrisks intoopportunities.Thecompanywas foundedin2011andprovides extraordinaryservicesincluding strategyconsulting,buildingdigital toolsandimpactcommunication–everythingfueledbyaconvictionthat solvingglobalchallengesisastrategic choicebusinessescannotaffordto dismiss.Basedonanalysisof thousandsofrealcasesfrommorethan 180countries,Sustainiaishelping companiestransformintoanewreality, whichtakesintoaccountthedeep socialandenvironmentalproblemsthe worldfaces.
Erik’sadvicetoblooming entrepreneurs:“Define your dream and have the courage to act it out. Don’t be afraid of failures, but perceive them as an inescapable destination on your journey to success.”
Winningisnoteasy.Successdoesnotcomeovernight.Ittakeshardwork,sleeplessnights,tremendousdedication, intensesincerity,extraordinaryknowledge,exceptionalexpertiseandawealthofexperience.Aleaderisnotborn; it’saqualitythatonehastoearn.Hereisthesuccessfulstoryofonesuchleaderwhoisinspiringtheworldtodo betterandachievemore.
EyalIffergan,PresidentandCEOatHyperionGlobalPartnershasbeenleadingthelegalandintellectualproperty businesscommunitieswithhisuniquebrandofcreativityanddedicationforovertwodecades.
fromEntrepreneurtoIndustryLeader
Eyalisconsideredoneoftheforemostfiguresinlegaloperationalperformancemanagement.Heisanexpertinaddressing thechallengesoflegalbusinessprocess,organization,technologyandoperations.
Havingworkedondiversescenarioswithawiderangeofclients,Eyalpossessesbroad-basedlegalprocessandtechnology experienceinleadingandmanaginginfluentialglobalpracticesandcompanies.Eyalhasalsofoundedandhelpedbuild severalmarket-revolutionizingenterprises.
HisportfolioincludesprogramsfortransformationinIPManagement,InformationStrategy,WorkflowandProcess Automation,PracticeOperations,RiskPortfolioManagement,PerformanceManagementandOperationalExcellence.
I’ve always been driven by one goal: set the world on fire and leave it a better place than how I found it
I’ve always been driven by one goal: set the world on fire and leave it a better place than how I found it
“ “
Eyal Iffergan CEO
Manyleadinglawfirmsand corporationshaveimplemented dynamicbusinessstrategiesand systemsfollowinghisadvice.Ithas allowedthemtoalignin-house processeswithbusinessobjectives, manageintellectualassets,formalize andcodifyworkflow,andcreate collaborativeworkenvironments throughholisticinformation managementstrategies.
PriortofoundingHyperion,Eyalwasa PrincipalatBakerRobbins& Company.Itwastheindustry’sleading andlargesttechnologyconsulting companyofthatera,andEyalledit untilitsacquisition.Hewasafounder andchiefarchitectofClearspire,a groundbreakingtwo-companylaw firm/legalserviceentityregardedas pioneerinlegaldeliverysystem evolution.HewasalsothePresidentof aninternationalinnovations corporationspecializinginthe applicationandlicensingofadvanced technologiesinhighsecurityand communications.
Asanardentlegalbusinessexpertand entrepreneur,hehaswonnumerous awardsandrecognitionsfromindustry associations. Hehasbeenwritten aboutintheEconomist,WallStreet Journal,FastCompany,Reuters, AmericanLawyer,andscoresofother mediasources,andisafrequent speakeratIPandlegalprofessional conferences.Theinceptionof HyperionGlobalPartnerswasthe resultofEyal’sdecisiontoapplyhis vastlegalexperienceandknowledgeto hisownentrepreneurialjourney.
HyperionGlobalPartners:Your FuelforOperationalExcellence
HyperionGlobalPartnersisapremier globalconsultancytothelegal profession.TheyadviseAmLaw200 lawfirms,Global1000corporations andotherlegalserviceorganizationsto makeintelligent,fact-baseddecisions abouthowtoimprovetheiroperational performance.
Asaconsultancyofexperts,Hyperion focusesonhelpingclientslead transformationprogramswithstrategic value-basedengagementmodelsand legalbusinessexpertiseinprocess, operations,organizationand technology
HyperionResearch,anindependent divisionofHyperionGlobalPartners, istheindustry’sleadingsourcefor LegalSolutionsMarketIntelligence. Theirresearchisrelieduponby industryleaders,innovatorsandtrendsettersasthepremierguideto independentmarketresearch,analysis andadvisoryservices.Thecompany alsoprovidesunparalleledinsightinto leadingtrendsinlegalstrategy, operations,andtechnology
SomeValuableInsightsfromEyal’s Desk
HyperionGlobalPartnershas revolutionizedtheconsulting engagementmodelwithitsuniqueand tailor-builtservices.Describinghow Hyperionisdifferentfromothers,Eyal says,
“InfoundingHyperion,wesetoutto createanewmodelconsultingpractice thatchallengedalloftheconventional wisdomsoftheindustry Weinnovated inthewaywehired,theserviceswe offered,thewaywedeliveredthose services,andthewaywechargedfor them. Inmanyways,webecamethe “anti-consultancy”:
Ÿ Wedon’tchargefortime.Webelieve thattimeisleastvaluablewayto measurethevaluewedeliver. Our entiremodelisfocusedonharnessing theexpertiseofourteamtodeliver tangible,actionable,compelling solutionstoourclientsandto innovateinthewaywedeliverthose solutions.
Ÿ Wehaveassembledateamofthe bestandbrightestintheindustryto bringunparalleledexpertise,witha healthydoseofpragmatism,tohelp ourclientsalignandexecutetheir strategicbusinessobjectives.
Ÿ We’renotopportunists,andwe’re notallthingstoallpeople. Wefocus onlyonthethingsweknowbetter thananyoneelse,andourclientshire uspreciselybecausewe’rethebestat whatwedo.
Ÿ Weradicallychangedthe professionaldeliverymodelto challengethehighlylinearrevenue modelpredicatedonleveraging people;wepioneeredthescalable professionalservice.
“Hyperionisfocusedon transformationwhileothersfocuson verytacticalwork–installanew technologyordocumentprocesses,etc. –weprovideamoreholisticapproach tooperationsandinformation management,leadingourclients throughbroad-basedtransformation programsthatservetodramatically changethewaytheyworkandthe resultstheyachieve.”
Hyperion’sinnovationhasbornemany fruits.Theynotonlychallengedthe statusquo,buthavecreatedanentirely newmarketbydoingso–onethey havedefinedandlead. Eyal’s innovativeapproachhasgarnered widespreadacclaim,andhisteamhave establishedapresenceofimmense influence.Hyperionadvisesandguides allmajormarketstakeholders–buyers, solutionprovidersandinvestors–and havebecomewidelyacknowledgedas theleadinglegalsolutionsprovider.
Eyalhaswitnessedmanyupsand downsinhisjourneyasan entrepreneur.Sharingthatinvaluable experience,hesays,“It’s actually not easy at all to be an entrepreneur. In my lifetime, I’ve met many people who thought they were entrepreneurial, yet only a small fraction of them really were. Being entrepreneurial means two things: first, having the drive and imagination to create; and second, accepting the risks and challenges required to execute them.”
Joe Caserta Founder & President
‘‘
Success is always just outside your comfort zone, and if you stay comfortable you will not grow – as a person or as a business
JoeCasertahasapassionfor
solvingthetoughestdata challengeswithunrelenting curiosity AsthefoundingPresidentof Caserta,Joehasdesignedand implementednumerousinnovative solutionsthatarehelpingbusinesses andmankindworldwide.Hebelieves thatcrystalclearvision,creativity, imagination,disciplineandarelentless desiretosucceedagainstalloddsare qualitiesthathelpleadersrealizetheir businessgoalsandmakeapositive impactontheworld.
Insteadofviewingobstaclesasa barriertosuccess,Joeembraces challengesaslearningopportunities thatallowhimtodiscoverorcreate newpathstovictory.Asaleaderhe believeshisinstinctsandneverallows otherstodictatehowtorunhis business. AlthoughJoeisalwaysopen tonewideas,heonlydoeswhatfeels righttohim.AccordingtoJoe,if you’renotwillingtotakerisksyouare givingupyourchanceofreward.
Joe’svastexperienceincludesmore than30yearsincreatingdata solutions.HeiseducatedinDatabase ApplicationDevelopmentandDesign fromColumbiaUniversityinNew York.Histhreedecadesofexperience, haveexposedhimtoawiderangeof technologyincludingtransaction systems,dimensionaldata warehousing,bigdataanalytics, advanceddataanalyticsapplications andmore.In2001,hefoundedhisown firm,Caserta,whichfocuseson advising,designandimplementationof allthingsdataincludingdata warehousing,businessintelligenceand dataanalytics.In2004,heco-authored “The Data Warehouse ETL Toolkit”, whichbecameanindustrybestseller andhasbecomethestandardfordata preparationforanalytics.
PivotalMomentofhisCareer EarlierinlifeJoewasdedicatedto buildingacareerintheconstruction industry.Inadevastatingcaraccident,
Joesustainedpermanentinjuriesand pulverizedthediscsinhisback.He couldperformphysicallabornomore.
Hechallengedhimselftorefusetobe disabledandwentbacktoschoolto learndatabasearchitectureandstarta newcareer
“AlthoughIpickedanareaofexpertise somedeemthemostcomplexofall careers,Icouldhaveeasilyfailed,but thewayIsawit,failurewasnotan option,”saysJoe.“Riskwashighasif itdidn’twork,ifIcouldnot“makethe grade”asatechnologist,Icouldhave literallybecomehomeless. Itwashigh stakesrisk,butluckilythereturnhas exceededmywildestexpectation.”
Casertaisaleadingdataintelligence firmwithareputationofcreatingbold andstate-of-the-artsolutions.Their businessisbuiltthroughcreative thinkingandharmoniousclient collaboration.TheNewYork-based strategicconsultinginnovation technologyimplementationfirm specializesinbigdataanalytics,data warehousing,ETLandbusiness intelligence.
“WecollaboratewithCIOsandtheirIT organizations,workingtogethertogain newbusinessinsightsthroughabetter understandingoftheirdata,”notesJoe. “Weimplementemergingtechnologies inbigdata,NoSQL,search,predictive modelinganddatavisualizationto solvehighlycomplexbusiness challenges,servingclientsworldwide intheareasoffinance,insurance, healthcare,digitaladvertising,media, fitness,eCommerceandothers.”
Casertaisanindustryleaderthathelps itsclientsmaximizethevalueoftheir dataandunderstandhowtomakethe bestuseofit.Thecompanyprovides transformativedatastrategiesand solutionstoadvanceanalytics-driven businesses.Eachsolutioniscustom designed,built,andimplemented.
Caserta’shightechnicalexpertise, exceptionalexecutive-levelbusiness acumen,andsincereclientempathy enablethecompanytodeliver unparalleledlevelsofserviceand clientattention.Itisthego-tocompany tohelporganizationsthataregoing throughmajortransformationswhere theyhavetobecomeanalytics-driven tosurviveintheircompetitive landscape.
Thefirmhaswonmanyprestigious awardsandisapplaudedbymany industryveterans.Forbeshaslisted Casertainitsfortune5000listforthe fastestgrowingprivatecompanies. GartnerhasacknowledgedCasertafor itscontributionsinadvancedanalytics. Caserta’sinnovativeandeffective healthcaresolutionsearnedtheaward of“Top20HealthcareAnalytics SolutionProvidersin2015”andthe “Top10FastestGrowingBigData Companiesin2016.”
DuringthepastseveralyearstheData Industryhasgonethrough unprecedenteddisruption—andthereis muchmoretocome. Themost compellingpartoftheevolutionof dataistheconvergenceofanalytics andinsightswithbusinessapplications. Businessesareevolvingfromavery reactivestatewherebytheyperformed transactions,analyzedthedata,and madechangetoaffectfuture transactions.Nowtheyhavebegun performinganalyticsinreal-timeto influencetransactionsastheyare occurring.Thebestpartisthat customerslovetheenhanced experience.
“Ibelievewe’veonlyseenthetipof theproverbialiceberginhowdata intelligenceinfluencesourday-today lives,”notesJoe.“Withonlythe limitationsofourimaginationtostop us,therehasbeennomoreexciting timetobeinthisbusiness.”
Asmarketschangeandtechnologiescontinueto disruptallwetakeforgranted,whatweseeas breakthroughinnovationtoday,willpaleinto insignificancetomorrow.Themostimportanthuman survivalskillwillbeourabilitytoconsistentlycreate valueoutofnewideas.
Withabackgroundininnovation,leadershipand organizationaldevelopment,NatalieTurner, FounderandCEOofTheEntheoNetwork,and theInventorofTheSix‘I’sofInnovation®, focusesonenablingindividualsandorganizations tobuildinnovationskills,mindsetsandcapabilities. Asapassionateandcreativeentrepreneur,sheisthe authorof“Yes,YouCanInnovate!Discoveryour innovationstrengthsandunleashyourcreative potential”tobepublishedinMarch2018. Anexperiencedfacilitator,trainerand Keynotespeaker,Natalieworksto unlockthepotentialofpeopleand organizationstohelpthemcreate newproductsandserviceswhilst
‘‘
52 January 2018|
focusingonthedevelopmentof innovationskillsandculture building. “To be an innovator is to be a pioneer of bringing the new into the world but it is not just about being creative. It requires a complex and diverse raft of skills and ways of thinking.” saysNatalie.
Nataliehasworkedwithsomeofthe leadingorganizationsintheworld, including Cisco Systems, LEO Pharma Asia and Singapore Airlines, aswellasGovernmentMinistries, suchas The Economic Development Board of Singapore,andthe Ministries of Manpower, Health and Defense.Shehasalsofacilitated leadershipandinnovationworkshops at Singapore Management University and Duke-NUS.Natalieisan internationalspeakeroninnovation, entrepreneurshipandleadershipand speaksatavarietyofconferences andorganizationsaroundtheworld.
InnovatingStrategiestoInspire PeopletoAdapttoChange “Manyorganizationstalkaboutthe needtoinnovatebutdon’tknowhow orwheretostart,orwhetherthey evenhavetheskillsandcapabilities togenerateideasandmakethem work,”saysNatalie. “The big challenge is how to make innovation part of their organizational DNA & culture”. Thisrequiresthe developmentofinnovativemindsets behaviorsandculture,aspartof everydayworkinglife.Thebenefits areclear–highermargins, increasedcustomerloyalty,new sourcesofincomeandexcitingnew projectsthatmakeadifferencein customers’lives.But,innovatingis hardworkandoftenleftupto chance.“This challenge is what inspired me to create The Six ‘I’s® of
Innovation” and write my book –“Yes, You Can Innovate!”
In 2009, amidst the global recession, Natalie was invited to speak at a leadership conference held at Singapore Management University. “It was winter in London, so I decided to take up the offer and have a few days of sunshine. I never knew this trip would change the course of my life”. Overwhelmedbythe interestandenthusiasmfor innovationskillsdevelopment, withinacoupleofdays,shesetup22 meetings.ByAugust2010,Natalie decided,alongwithherhusbandand businesspartner,tomoveEntheoto Singapore. “We have never looked back,” shesays.
“I suppose one could see it as courageous, moving to the other side of the world, but I enjoy new experiences, am curious, and thrive on change. Everything in life I do with gusto, commitment and passion. I love to be on the evolving edge of the new and helping people broaden their thinking to imagine great things.”
Discover,andplay,toyour InnovationStrengths!
Since2006,TheEntheoNetworkhas providedbusinessmanagement consultingtohelpcreate environmentstounleashinnovation. Now,itisextendingitsreachby scalingthe Six ‘I’s®,innovation methodologyandassessmenttools, beingusedbyarangeofEntheo clients,toabroaderaudience. ThroughaCertificationprocess, technologydevelopmentandonline profiling,thebusinessisproviding enablingtoolsthathelpindividuals andorganizationsmeasuretheir innovationstrengthsand methodologiestogenerateand implementnewideas. “What I found,” saysNatalie, “was a gap in the market for an online measurement tool that would focus on helping people and teams, measure and develop their innovation strengths. Now, the Six ‘I’s® assessment is accessible to the public too.”
Curiousaboutyourinnovation strengths?Areyouan Identifier, Igniter, Investigator, Investor, Implementer or Improver?Ormaybe youhaveacombination?Discover nowforyourselfonline.
Whileadvisingbudding entrepreneurs,Nataliesays,“Be willing to step out and try something different. Be a self-disruptor! Don’t get lost in your own enthusiasm and ensure you have the right partnerships to help you scale your business offering. Let go of good ideas and pursue the great ones. Systemize and become a multiplier”
www.6-I-innovation.com.
Aleader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way,”saidoneofthemost celebratedAmericanauthor,speakerandpastor, JohnC.Maxwell.
Successdoesn’tcomeovernight.Ittakesnumerous sleeplessnights,enormousdedication,utmostsincerity,and colossaleffort.Itisalmostimpossibleforonetoachieve successalone;itcomesthroughateameffort.Theonewho playsthecriticalroleinformingasuccessfulteamisagood leader And,aleaderleads,helps,cooperatesandguides his/herteamandnotjustbossesaroundhis/herteam subordinates.Aleaderisnotborn;onehastoacquirethe necessaryskillstobeone.Theynotonlyjustleadothersbut alsoinspirethemthroughtheirinfluenceandskills. Ateamfollowsitsleader.Eachoneofitsmembersadmires thatoneperson.Theytrustsandrespecttheirleader,rather thanwhattheysayordo.Theirunparalleledworkethic, strongdeterminationtowinoveranychallengeandtheir
abilitytocommunicateiswhatinspireotherstofollow.It’s easytobossaroundpeople,butit schallengingtowin ’ other sheartsandgetthetasksdonebythem. ’
Everybodywantstospeak.And,ifeveryoneisspeaking andthenthereoughttobeatleastsomeonelistening.And, ifeverybodyisscreamingandnobodyislistening,the outcomewillbenothingbutchaos.Bossingaroundthe employeesisdefinitelynotacrime,butthatisnothowthey wanttobetreated.Ifone’staskisaccomplishedbyusing kindbehaviorandpolitewords,thereseemsnonecessityof commandingthingsandlosingtherespect.
Peoplewanttocommunicate.Theywanttointeract,so,it’s timeyoustartlisteningtothem.Youneverknow,they mightgiveyouanincredibleideawhichcanstandouttobe aturningpointinyourbusiness.Anentrepreneurcaneven
pickupatopicandletitsteamgiveopiniononthat.This willnotonlymaketheemployeesfeelimportantforthe organization,butwillalsobuildupahappierandmore productiveenvironmentintheoffice.Commandingataskis easy,butwhenoneteachesandguideshis/herteamto accomplishthat,itensuresafastercompletionofthetask withbetteroutcome.
Onecanbeagoodleader,butwithoutagoodteam,his/her leadershipskillsareofnouse.Whetheryouareamanager ortheCEOofthecompany,youmustalwayskeepinmind thefutureofthecompany Whilehiringnewemployeesfor thecompany,youmustalwayslookforcandidateswho suitsthecompany’sworkingpatternandalsoitscultureand notjustspecificallygoodathardskillsthatarenecessary
Theexpertsoftheindustrysaythatthoughthiswasnot consideredwhileconductinghiringprocessesinthe previousyears,thishasnowbecomethetrend.Notonly trend,hiringpeoplewhocanmatchtheirmentalityand frequencyalongwiththecompany,hasbeenaneffective waytactictobesuccessfulinthisstiffcompetitivebusiness world.Nowadays,socialmedia,especiallyLinkedInplaysa verycriticalroleinthehiringprocess.Theworld-class MNCsarenowfocusingontheemployer’sratingswhile hiringanemployee.
Withthegrowthinthenumberofemployeesinthe company,itslowlybecomesdifficultforasingleleaderto lookaftereveryminutethingandleadtheentirecompany
Therecomesthenecessityofleadersinthelowerlevels,sothatthemanagerortheCEOofthecompanycangetallthe necessaryupdatesfromtheleadershe/shehascreated.Moreover,astrongleaderistheonewhoknowswhenit’stimeto monitorthingsfrombehindandletothersshine.Empoweringothersgivesthemthesignificantfuelthatisessentialfor themtotakeresponsibilitiesseriouslyandworkmoreproductivity
Youaretheleader,youmustbelievethat.Youaretheonewhodecideswhatshouldbethecolorofyourofficewallsbe, whatairfreshenershouldbeboughtforyouroffice,whatshouldbethedresscodeofyourofficeorwhatkindofenergy shoulddriveyouandyouremployees.Creatinganenvironmentwhichisfilledwithpositivityisnotaneasytask,butitis notimpossibleto.
Therearethreemagicalwordswhichcanreallymakemiraclesandtheyare,“Sorry”,“ThankYou”and“Please”.Ifanyof youremployeeshasdonesomethingexceptionalwhichisbeneficialforyourcompany,youmustneverhesitatetoexpress yourgratitude.Weareallhumans,andweareboundtomakemistakes,nomatterwhatrolewedoplayinourlives.And, italwaysmakesusfeelbetteraftersaying“Sorry”tosomeonewhomwehavedonewrong.Bravepeopleneverstayback toaccepttheirmistakesandrectifythat.So,ifpositiveenergycanbringuswithwhatwewanttoachieve,thenwhynot implythatinourworkplaces.
Youmustalwaysknowthatifyouaredoingsomethinggreat,youwillalwaysbecriticized.Alwayswelcomecriticism andtakethemallinthemostpositivewayascriticismistheonlythingwhichisgoingtoconstructyourcareer,buildyour futureandmakeyoustrong.Letallemployeestakepartinthegroupactivities,letthemsharetheiropinionsandbringin newthoughts,afterallanewmakeoverisalwaysachangewhichbringinagoodchangeofair.
“Ultimately, leadership is not about glorious crowning acts. It’s about keeping your team focused on a goal and motivated to do their best to achieve it, especially when the stakes are high and the consequences really matter. It is about laying the groundwork for others’ success, and then standing back and letting them shine.”–ChrisHadfield,afamous CanadianAstronaut.
Roboticsisnotnewtothis planet;ithasbeeninusefor decades.Butwiththe numerousgroundbreaking advancementsinIT,roboticshas nowfoundafreshmomentumand haswideneditsreachtoadiverse arrayofservicesthattouchthelives ofthecommonman.Telepresence robotsareonesuchadvancethatis gainingpopularityallacrossthe world.Itoffersaplethoraof advantagestotheenduser Telepresencerobotsallowyouto haveaninstantpresencewherever youareandwheneveryouwant.Its
“
I have a passion for educating our youth in STEM and preparing them for the complex robotics and AI driven world that they will have to live in”
Nicci Rossouw CEO
abilitytoeliminatetheneedofbeing physicallypresentattheactualsite savesvaluabletimeandmoney.These facetsareattractingpeopletowardsit andhavebeentheprimereasonbehind itsburgeoningpopularity According totheresearchdata,theservice roboticsindustryisexpectedtogrowat anannualrateof15.8%from20162022,anditsmarketsizeisexpectedto reachagigantic$24billionby2022.
Exaptecisonesuchfirmthatoffersa widerangeofexemplaryrobotics servicestoitsclients.Andthebrain behindthisprominentroboticsfirmis CEONicciRossouw.Nicci’ssharp businessacumenandcontinuous learningattitudeledthecompanyto growitsworkforcefrombeingthesole operatorto12peopleinthelast5 months.Sheholdsthedistinctionof sellingtheirfirstbatchofdoublerobots inlessthanthreemonthstovarious eminentclientsinAustraliaandNew Zealand. Apartfrombeinga successfulentrepreneur,shetakesher socialresponsibilitiesveryseriously. Shehasadeeppassionforeducating andmentoringyouthsandwantsto createplentyofjobsforAustraliansin Australia.Hervigorousand enthusiasticdemeanoristransforming Exaptec’sgrowthtothenextlevel.
Nicciisapassionatepersonandenjoys thejourneyoflife!Shehascome acrossmanychallengingcircumstances butneverbowedbeforethem.After successfullycompletingaDiplomain BusinessManagement,shechoseto pursueanLLBdegreefromtheRand AfrikaansUniversity,inJohannesburg SouthAfrica.Butherfinancial situationdidnotallowhertocontinue andshetookupasalesjobinthe pharmaceuticalindustry. Soon,she marriedandmovedtoAustraliawith herhusband,aSAPprojectmanager. Niccihastwoadultsonswhomshe
considersherprideandjoy! She dedicated15yearstotheraisingofher sonswhenshedecidedtore-enterthe workforce. Comingfroma backgroundofrealestate(hermother andsisterownarealestatecompany) shequalifiedasanagentandworkedin arealestatefirminSassafras, Melbourne.Shewasdoingextremely wellasanagentbutanopportunity cameupinadifferentcareerdirection. Whenoneofherfriends(CXO)offered herajobasapersonalassistantNicci jumpedattheopportunity.Niccifound thatjobasoneofthepivotalmoments ofherlifeasitgavehervitalexposure toorganizationalskillsthathelpedher toinculcatevaluablelessonsof entrepreneurship.Whileworkingwith C-levelexecutives,shehonedher managementskills.Herdiligenceand meticulousattentiontodetail,waslater recognizedbythemanagementand wasrewardedbybeingpromotedto JuniorProjectManagerfortheproject managementoffice.
Aftergainingvaluableinsightsintothe businessworld,Niccifinallydecidedto dosomethingthat“givesback”, somethingvaluabletothesociety.She, alongwithhertechnocrathusband, whoisanAgilebusiness transformationexpert,co-founded Tabar,anagiletransformational companyfocusingonagile management,consultancyandtraining. Tabarwaspivotalincreatingand acceleratingtheagilemovementin Australia.
AtTabar,Nicciwasworkingasa BusinessManagerandwasthedriving forcebehindtheorganizationsgrowth. Duringthe“SparkTheChange” conferenceinMelbournein2015,one questioncametomind“howcan peopleattendconferenceswithout physicallybeingthere!”Thatquestion ledtothebirthof“Exaptec”,arising roboticcompanythatofferscuttingedgesolutionsfortelepresence,service
andsocialrobots.Exaptecisan acronymforExtremeApplications Technologywiththemantra “Robots for Work and Play from Anywhere”.
AbouttheBurgeoningRobotics’ Firm
Exaptecisafastgrowingservice roboticscompany,whichhasofficesin Melbourne,NewZealandandHong Kong.Itspecializesinendtoend systemintegrationandprovides customizedsolutionstoitsclientsto solvetheirparticularchallenges. Whetheritisaboutamuchneeded softwareorrequiredhardware,Exaptec providesafullrangeofsolutionstoits clients.Itisanagilecompanythat worksinshortsharpiterationsfortheir clients.Theorganizationisknownfor identifyingandsolvingissuesquickly Exaptecoffersstrategicconsultancyto companies,advisingthemabout telepresenceandservicerobot solutionsofroboticprocess automation.
Nicci’sdreamandplanofactionisto growthecompanytobelistedonthe ASXwithin3-5years’time.
Nicci’sRoleModelandherAdviceto BuddingEntrepreneurs
Nicciconsidershermotherasthemain sourceofinspirationandwhohas playedasignificantroleinshapingher life.Afterraising5childrenonher own,shefoundedbusinessafter business,successfullyturningevery businessintoasuccessstory
Nicci’sadvicetoblooming entrepreneursis, “Be prepared to put in extra hours, have faith in tough times, be organized and live and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Have a mentor or trusted advisor. Challenges will come and go but stay steady and focused.
WhensomeonesaysAfrica,thefirst picturethatcomestoourmindis immensenaturalbeauty,exotic wildlifeandanidealplaceforatravel enthusiast.Similarly,whenwetalkabout businessinAfrica,thethingthatwevisualize firstismining.Itiswhatformsthebackboneof theeconomyofmanyAfricancountries.In Africa,itisnotonlythebiggestgreatestcatalyst ofdevelopmentinmultiplenationsofthe continent,butalsoanextraordinarysourceof employmentandglobaltradeexchange.
Evenintoday’stimesofchange,themining industryofSouthAfricaisstillmaledominant andunstable.Theexpertsoftheindustrystate thereasonsbehindthisasthereleaseofanew miningcharter,industryunrest,and monopolizingandunethicalbusinesspractices. Inthistimeofindustrialparadigm,the passionate,loyalwomenentrepreneur,whois breakingeveryoddtobringpositivewindsof changeinthesociety,isPamduPlessis, ManagingDirectorofInvincibleValves,a well-establishedValvecompanythatdistributes valvesofitsownaswellasonbehalfofthe biggestmanufacturerinSouthAfrica.
Pam’sextraordinarycontributiontothe industryhashelpedherearnnumerous awardsandrecognitionsincludingthe mostprestigious 2017 Enterprising Women of the Year Award inthe categoryof“Over $5 million and up to $10 million in annual revenues”, “Moving Mountains 2017”,among manyotherrecognitionswhichbrings thispromisingentrepreneurintothe fame.
Aftercompletingherschoolin1988, Pamreceivedafirstclasspassand DiplomainFinancialAccounting. Initially,shefollowedheraccounting backgroundintotheITworldof AccountingSoftwareAccpac.Started hercareerinthetechnologysectorasa supportconsultantwhereshesupported thesoftwareforaccountingusers, wroteprintspecificationsandassisted withregularmonthlyprocesses.Later, Pamwenttoworkinthehealthcare facilityastheAdminManager.Itwas whereshestartedexploringthemeans ofentrepreneurship.Themostpart interestingpartofhercareerisasPam says,“It was by chance that I started working at Invincible Valves, as I had entered the business as a contractor to write a couple of Accpac Crystal reports and then never left.”
“The biggest risk is not taking any risk... In a world that’s changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”MarkZuckerberg,Co-founderand CEOatFacebook,oneofthegreatest Internetentrepreneurstheworldhas everseen.
Beingadaringentrepreneur,Pamtook thechallengeevenafterknowingthe risksassociatedwithit.Eventhough theriskwasincrediblyhigh,shetook thedecisionoftakingthereinsof InvincibleValves.Theultimaterisk wasnothingbutfailure,butshe extraordinarilyturnedeverynegative
ideaintopillarfilledwithpositivity, leadingtothecompany’ssuccess. “Without fear anything is possible. So simply I had to take the time and break the fear barrier and thereafter it has been a whole lot easier,”saysPam.
Beinggloballyrecognizedbyvarious hall-of-fame,Pamleadsthecompany toachieveitsgoalsyearafteryear. Withherguidance,thecompanyis broadeningitshorizons,diversifying itsbusinesswithlittletonoresistance. ApartfromInvincibleValves,Pamalso servesSAVAMAasitsChairperson, wheresheisfullyresponsiblefor initiatingfullparticipationofallits membersduringmeetings,discussions andmandates.
Establishedin1982,locatedin Germiston,SouthAfrica,Invincible Valvesisapromisingvalvecompany withalmostfourdecadesofrich experienceindistributing, manufacturing,reconditioningand rubberliningvalves.Overtheyears, thecompanyhasintroduceditsown registeredbrandofINVALvalves whichhasledtoacomprehension rangeofvalvesandcoversabroad spectrumoflowpressurevalves.Built onthefoundationofcommitment, honestyandloyalty,thecompanyis knownforitsexceptionalcustomer service.
InvincibleValvesisatradingcompany thatoffersmanyancillaryservicesasin RubberLiningofvalves,pipesand fittingsalongwithReconditioningof valves.Thecompanyoffers“onestop shop”toitsesteemedcustomersand thereforesuppliesthevalveswithany additionalrequirementsnecessaryfor theirapplication.Asanapproved BBBEELevel4suppliertoallmajor industrieswithinSouthAfrica,the companymaintainsexpertiseand experienceacrossabroadspectrumof industriesandapplicationswithawide rangeofproducts.
“We offer a comprehensive range of local and imported valves and accessories for the mining, petrochemical, power generation, water, sewerage and general industries. We have agents in all major centers around the country and service all four corners of the globe,”saysthe MDofInvincibleValves.
ForPam,herdadisherrolemodel.He isthepersonwhohasintroducedPam totheworldofbusinessfromavery youngageandsupportedherinevery momentofherlife.Shegiveshuge credittoherfatherforwhatsheis todayandsays,“To this day I am daddy’s girl and he is my hero.”Today whatdriveshermotivationareher threebeautifulchildrenwhomakethe mostofhermemorablemoments.
Apartfromhersupportivefamilyand friends,herextraordinary achievementsandrecognitionsfrom theglobalorganizationsandher passiondrivesPamtomakeanimpact intheworldandinpeople’slives.She ispassionateaboutpeople,thehuman race.Withthecleargoaltoupliftas manypeopleasshecanintheirareas, shehasplayedanactiverolein establishingafullyequippedEducation Centeronthecompanypremisesto offercoursesthroughSAVAMAalong withABETtrainingforitsstaff,interns aboutanythingandeverythingthatis relatedtovalves.
“Be bold, don’t be afraid. It may be daunting, but don't allow that to deter you in any way. Instead educate yourself, learn from anyone and everyone. Follow your heart and do what you believe to be best, if you are passionate about something you need to action it.”
ToSupportitsExpandingCustomerbaseinAPACregion,AmazonWebServices(AWS) opensupitsthird“AvailabilityZone”inSingapore.Thereportsclearlyindicatethatthe customerswhoarealreadyusingAWSwillbebenefittedwithmorechoiceoptions,better flexibilityandhigherreliabilitywiththenewavailabilityzone.ItwillalsoaidAWS customerstohaveanotherlocaloptiontostoredataandrunmissioncriticalworkloads.As mostanyenterprisefromstartupstopublicorganizationsandMNCsareusingtheAWS SingaporeRegiontobuildandruntheirbusinessintheAWSCloud,thisnewzonewillbe anaddedbenefitforthem.
CustomerslookingforAmazonCloudFrontservicesintheAsia-Pacificregionbutat locationsothersthanSingaporewillgetfullsupporttodeliverwebsites,applicationsand contenttoend-userswithlowerlatencyfromtheedgelocationsatKualaLumpurand Manila.Apartfromthis,thecompanyoffers51AvailabilityZonesallovertheworld including18primegeographicallocationsliketheUS,China,Canada,Germany,France, Australia,India,Japan,Ireland,SouthKorea,Singapore,BrazilandtheUK.
Lovelynewsforallaudiobooklovers.AfterAmazon’scontributionstotheworld,Google hasrecentlybroughtinAudiobooksalongwithGoogleAssistantintegrationonitsPlay Store.Thetech-gianthasannouncedthattheaudiobookswillbeavailableinnine languagesacross45countriesintheworld.Googlehasfinallytakenasteptocompete Apple’siBooksandAmazon-ownedAudible,wherethereisnomonthlysubscriptionfee forpurchasingaparticularaudiobook.
TheinterestingpartisthattheGoogleAssistantintegrationwithaudiobooksisreadily availablenotonlyonAndroidsmartphones,butalsoavailableoniOS,Chromecast,
AndroidWear,AndroidAutoandonLaptops.Inthestatement,the companyofficialshavementioned,“OnGooglePlay,youcanbuya singleaudiobookatanaffordableprice,withnocommitments.Youcan alsogetafreepreviewofthebooktomakesureyou’rehookedontothe storyandenjoylisteningtothenarrator’svoice.”
TheSocial-MediagiantFacebookhasrecentlyconfirmedtheirstatuson theacquisitionofbiometricIDverificationstartupComfirm.io.The expertssaythatthemajorreasonbehindthisacquisitionisthatthis Boston-basedstartupcompanyofferedanApplicationProgramming Interfacewhichletsothercompaniestoquicklyverifyanindividual's governmentissuedidentificationcard,forexample,adrivinglicense.The startupisexpectedtoshutdownitsoperationasthetechandthe technologyitselfhasalreadymovedtoFacebook.
TheamazingfactaboutthisBoston-basedstartupisthatithasalready raisedatleastfourmilliondollarsfrommajorinvestorsincludingCava Capitalandthattoowithinathreeyearlifespan.Theamusingpartisthat withthisacquisition,peoplemightexpectthatone’sFacebookprofile mayserveasauthenticIDcardsinsomeplacesinthefuture.
1.AgamingstartupfromMinecraftEduteam,TeacherGaminghas recentlyraised$1.6milliontoputgamesintoClassroom
2.OilPricesareeasedwiththesuddenandunexpectedriseintheUS crudeinventories.
3.TheUSPresidenttomeetWorldLeaderattheWorldEconomicForum inDavos,Switzerland.
4.Disneywillgiveabonusof$1000toitsEmployeesintheWakeof TaxReform.
Whatmakesyouthinkthatwhenyouorderateam ofhundredpeopletodoacertainjob,theywill doexactlywhatyousay?Whydoyouthinkall ofthemshouldfollowyou?Whyshouldeachoneofthem risktheirprofessionallifeonyou?Eveniftheyfollowyou whatarethechancesyouaretakingthemontherightpath?
Everyonedreamstobecomealeader,asuccessfulleader. Butveryfewstrivetobetheone.Learninginsameschool, earningthesamedegrees,playingthesamesports,stillvery fewofthembecomeleaderandtherestofthembecome followers.Everyemployeeinacompanyisatthemost suitabledesignation,ifitistrue,whatmakesaCEOto commandeveryone?Theleadershipqualityisthemost mandatorything,butittakesmanymorequalitiesthanthat. Courageisotherimportantthing,butforbeingaCEO, manyotherprofessionalskillsareincharged.Thefollowing arefewunderratedbutcrucialattributesrequiredtobecome aCEOortohireaCEOforthecompany
DecisionMaker:EverysuccessfulCEOwillagreethat makingadecisionbecomesverydifficultwheneverything dependsonyourwords.Decidingwhichstrategytofollow, whichdealtocloseandwhatshouldbeontheprioritylist,
becomesamilliontimesharderwheneveryoneiscounting onyou.Handlingthepressureandkeepingthesensesonits peakareimportantatthosetimes.
Realistic:ManypeoplethinkthataCEOmustbe optimistic,butveryexceptionalpeoplewillunderstandthat, irrespectiveofhowwellonehasstudiedprosandcons, therealwaysremainssomeprobabilityoffailure.Onemust keepthatinmind,sothathecouldchoosethebeststrategy andmustalsobeequippedwithaplanhewouldbeusingit whenhitbyfailure.Hence,beingrealisticratherthanbeing optimisticaddsmorechancesinbecomingasuccessful CEO.
Neutrality:Themostimportantandmostforbiddenquality nowadaysisemotionalneutrality.People,whobelievein, ‘ifyouthinkit’sgoingtowork,itwillwork,’aremost likelytofall.Decidingthatyouneedtostartacompanyor leadabunchofpeopleinthespellofragehasprobabilityof regrettingtheirdecisionsaftertheeffectofthespell.Alsoas asayingforGodfathergoes- ‘never involve your emotions in business, it affects your judgment,’ onemustbeableto thinkabovewhathefeelsabouttheoutcome.Onemustbe calmenoughtoobservethemarket,patientenoughto acquiretherequiredskillsandwiseenoughtostartthe journeywhenthemarketneedshimmost.
RiskTakingFactor:Hereisanothercontroversialthing theysayaboutentrepreneurs-sometimestheyneedtorisk everything.Thissentenceispartiallytrue,becauseknowing themeaningof‘Risk’isveryimportanthere.Ifpeoplethink that,“Iftheresultofanactdependspurelyon‘fortune’,itis calledrisk,”thenpeoplearenotusing“Risk”withthe contextofbusiness.Maximizingtheprobabilityofwining andhopingthateverythingwillgoaccordingtothe calculationandexecutingtheactis“takingRisk.”As winningisneverguaranteed,risktakingfactoraffects
greatlyonthesuccessofaCEO.Hence,takingriskis mandatorybutgreatbusinesspeopleneverriskeverything, that’swhyit’scalledBusiness,notGambling.Agood strategistalwayskeepshisassetssafetouseduringthe calamities.
enoughtomakethecompanysuccessfulandwinthe respectofpeopleinthemarket.Butforthepeopleofthe company,withtheabovematerialisticcharacteristics, having3C’sisveryimportant-Credibility,Competence andCaring.Peoplemusttrustyou,yourwordsandyour wayofdoingbusiness.Evenifthingsgowrong,people mustbebyyoursideinsteadblamingyou.‘Havinggood relationsisthekeytohavegoodtogainthe3C’s.Asthe sayingfrom‘HouseofCards,’goes, “Generosity is some kind of Power,” youmustbegenerousenoughtomakethe peoplebelieveinyou.
Judgment:Havingagoodjudgmentisasimportantas havingleadershipqualities.Andthesecrettomakethe judgmentbetteristolearncontinuously.
ThesuccessofaCEOismeasuredbytwoparameters-what peopleinthemarketthinksabouthimandwhatpeoplein hisowncompanythinksofhim.Theabovequalitiesare
“Give Respect and Take Respect,” isthesecrettogain Respect.Loyaltyofpeopleisthemostdifficultandhighest ofthemedalaLeadercanachieve.Aspeoplefollowleader inallaspects,loyaltyisalsoaqualitythatpeopleacquire fromtheleader.ForthattheCEOmustbeloyaltothe company,toitspeopleandtohiswork,becauseofthis, irrespectiveofthesuccesscompanygets,theCEOwinsthe loyaltyofhispeople.Also,promotingloyaltyisanother kindofskillswhichincludes-respectingandpromotingold employees,fulfillingpersonaldemandsofemployees, celebratingsuccessofcompanywithallemployees,giving creditstoall,etc.
Mostofusarecontentwitha stablejobandcareerpath, andtherearefewamongus whowouldsacrificestability,getoutof ourcomfortzoneandstartsomething new.
Onesuchbold,andsuccessful, entrepreneurialpersonalityisRuslan Desyatnikov,FounderandCEOat QAMentor,amulti-awardwinning independentsoftwaretestingcompany headquarteredinNewYork.
Ruslanisahighlyambitious, persistent,strictandyetanextremely fairindividual.Hispassionistobuild thebestindependentsoftwaretesting companyintheworldandestablisha footprintineverysinglecountryon earth.
Ruslanlefthiswell-payingjoband walkedawayfromaleadingroleina renownedfinancialcompanywhile riskinghisfuture.Itissomethingthat fewwoulddounlesstheyareableto
Ruslan DesyatnikovYou have to follow your dreams. You are in control of your own success. It is up to you to either be successful or give up at the earliest
“
Eugene Cheng is Partner & Creative Lead at HighSpark a company that provides presentation design services and consultancy to Fortune 500 companies. He also mentors for a video production company: MotionSauce
ItwasstatedinaBNPParibas
GlobalEntrepreneursreport surveying2,600entrepreneurs basedin18countries,thatmillennials arelaunchingmorethantwotimes morebusinessesversustheirolder counterparts.Timearechangingand theinevitableriseofthe20-something CXOswillfollow,whetherwelikeit ornot.
Thatsaid,startingyoungalsocomes bundledwithitsownsetofunique challenges.Forwide-eyedmillennials enteringtheworldofbusiness,thiscan provetobedauntingandattimes overwhelming.
BackwhenmypartnerandIfirst startedHighSpark,acompanythat providespresentationdesignservices andskillstraining,itwasbynomeans awalkinthepark.Herearesome obstacleswefacedalongthewayand howweovercamethem:
1.Youwillbeunderestimated Wouldyoutrustyourbusinesswith someonethatistwo-timesyounger? Notaneasyanswerisit?
Ourstruggleinitiallywastoget experiencedorseniorbusinessowners totrustacoupleofteenagerstryingto helpthemincommunications. Naturally,wegotplentyofobjections rangingfromdisbelief:“Whatmakes youqualified?”tooutrightrejection “Wecan’tworkwithyou,you’retoo young”.
Itwasonlyafterayearintothe businessthatwewerefinallyfigured outhowtogetpastthisobstacle: Crediblereferencesfrompastclients.
Perceptionisalmostasimportantas actuallybeingabletodeliver.Having someoneelsetootyourhornforyou canbeinvaluablewhenyou’restarting outyoung.Nodoubtit'llbeharder versusalreadyhavingprofessional cloutasamoreexperienced professional,butthelessonsyoulearn
willbeinherentlymorevaluable. Anothergreatwayistoworkwith otherexpertstocoverareaswhereyou falter.Inourcase,wecollaboratedwith expertsinsalestrainingandpublic speakingtoprovidemoreholistic solutions.Thatway,byassociation, youquicklyappearmoretrustworthy.
2.Youwillfeellikeyou’remissing out
Entrepreneurshipisalonely,riskyroad lesstravelled.Whenyou’reyounger, youcanstomachmorerisk,butit mightbetoughertobedoing somethingthatgoesagainstwhatthe restofyourpeersaredoing.
Inourcase,mypartnerandIstarted thebusinessattheexpenseoffurther educationatthetime-wedidn’tgoto college.Ontheflipside,about80%of ourpeerswereheadingtouniversity, graduatingandfindingemployment.
Therewerenumerousinstanceswhere weweregenuinelyuncertainabout whetherourbusinesswouldbe profitableenoughtojustifyour sacrifices.Peersouragewerealready progressingintheircareers,whilewe werestilltryingtodetermineifwe madetherightdecisiontodothis.
Theoldproverb,“showmeyour friendsandI’lltellyouwhoyouare,” ringstruehere.
Surroundingyourselfwithlike-minded peoplegoingthroughthesame strugglesisagreatwaytomanageselfdoubtandaccelerateyourlearningin theprocess.Justrememberthatnoone everdidanythingspecialbybeinglike everyoneelseandthattherisksyou takenowcanpayoffhandsomelyin thefuture.
3. Youwillnevertruly‘knowwhat you’redoing’ Withnewsoutletsreportingsuccessful fundraisingroundsinthemillionsand newstartupstoriesonthepressevery otherday,itcansometimesseemlike
everyoneelsehasgotlifefiguredout exceptyouandyourteam.
Thetruthisthateventhemost seasonedentrepreneurs(youngorold) feelunsureattimes.Heck,even entrepreneursthataredoingwellmight constantlyhaveacaseofimpostor syndrome.Whenweconsistently entertainthoughtsofself-doubt,these thoughtscanmanifestintoparalysis whereweendupworryingmorethan doinganythingproductive.
Asimplesolutionasrenowned marketingexpertSethGodinoften saysisto‘StartShipping’.Don’tfear makingmistakesbecauseyouwill definitelyrunintoobstaclesalongthe way.
TheBusinessInsiderrecentlyreported ona6-yearoldboythatmakes$11 MillionayearonYoutubereviewing toysonhischannel:RyanToysReview Itreallygoestoshowwhatonecan accomplishwhenapplyingyourself correctlyandsilencinganyfeelingsof inadequacy
Whetheryou’reaCEOinyourfifties orastartupfounderinyourtwenties, sometimesthebestthingtodoisto hunkerdownandtreadalongyour plannedpathratherthanworryif you’remakingthewrongdecisions.
Startingyoungcanbeanadvantageif youuseitright.Don’tbeboggeddown bythingsthatyoucancontrol,but insteadfocuson:
1.Buildingsolidrelationshipsand developingyourcredo
2.Growthroughosmosisby surroundingyourselfwith outstandingpeople
3.Focuson‘shipping’andthesteps ahead.
