OZKAN OZ
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Editor’s Note
Ozkan Oz: The Visionary Entrepreneur Transforming NFC Technology
Inanerawheretechnologyandinnovationareredefiningindustries,afew visionaryleadersstandoutfortheirgroundbreakingcontributions.One suchleaderisOzkanOz,whoseentrepreneurialjourneyisatestamentto creativity,resilience,andtransformativethinking.Asthecoverstoryof TheEntrepreneurTimesMagazine’sspecialedition,"MostInspiring BusinessLeadersRevampingtheFuture,2025,"Ozkanexemplifieswhat itmeanstopushboundariesanddrivemeaningfulchange.
Withadeep-rootedbackgroundincreativedirectionandapassionfor NFCtechnology,Ozkanhaspioneeredinnovationsthatarenotonly redefiningconsumerexperiencesbutalsoshapingthefutureof connectivity.Hisabilitytomergeartistrywithtechnologyhasledtothe creationofrevolutionaryproducts,suchassmartgreetingcardsandNFCenabledbusinesssolutions,pavingthewayforamoreinteractiveand sustainabledigitallandscape.
WhatmakesOzkan’sjourneytrulyinspiringishisunwavering commitmenttoinnovationandsustainability.Hisupcoming milestone—establishingAmerica’sfirstNFCchipmanufacturingfacility by2026—willmarkaturningpointintheindustry,fosteringlocal productionandreducingdependencyonimports.Throughhisventures,he isnotonlyadvancingtechnologybutalsocreatingnewopportunitiesfor businessesandindividualsalike.
Aswecelebratethemostinfluentialbusinessleadersof2025,OzkanOz standsasabeaconofingenuityandperseverance.Hisstoryisoneof vision,determination,andanunyieldingdrivetoshapethefuture.We hopehisjourneyinspiresthenextgenerationofentrepreneurstodream biggerandinnovatefearlessly
ONTENT S T ABLE OF
20. 28. 36. 08.
Ozkan OZ - Founder, SOFTECH TEXAS
Beyond Business: How SelfInvestment Fuels
Entrepreneurial Greatness
Alexander Rublowsky CMO At Fusion Connect
Stronger Together: 10 Essential Tips for Building Lasting Business Partnerships
FOUNDER, SOFTECH TEXAS Ozkan Oz
Cove r Sto ry
Ozkan Oz
FOUNDER | SOFTECH TEXAS
O z k a n O z ’ s j o u r n e y a s a n entrepreneur is a testament to creativity, resilience, and innovation. With a background as a Creative Director for over two decades, he has seamlessly merged his expertise in storytelling and design with a p a s s i o n f o r t e c h n o l o g i c a l advancements. This fusion of creativityandinnovationhasledhim to establish multiple ventures, most notably SOFTECH TEXAS LLC, a company pioneering NFC-enabled products. His diverse experiences have reinforced the importance of adaptability, collaboration, and an unwavering focus on consumer needs. For Ozkan, innovation is not merely about technology it’s about creating meaningful connections betweenproductsandpeople.
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES IN INNOVATION
Innovation is both exhilarating and demanding. His experience in filing patents across 52 countries for NFC products such as Coniax Smart Photo Albums and Korble Smart Greeting Cards has given him firsthand knowledge of the complexities involved. Securing intellectual property in a highly competitive industry requires meticulous attention to detail and strategic legal protections. While the challenge lies in safeguarding ideas against imitation, the rewards are substantial. These patents have positioned Ozkan Oz and his ventures as leaders in the NFC industry, providing a foundation for sustained growth and market expansion.
The Key to Sustainable Business Success
Building and sustaining a successful business requires a dynamic approach. He attributes his success to a combination of innovation, collaboration, and persistence. Understanding market trends and consumer demands is at the heart of his strategy. Moreover, fostering a strong team that shares a unified vision has been a cornerstone of his leadership. His upcoming project America’s first NFC chip manufacturing facility, set to open in Texas by 2026 exemplifies his commitment to forward-thinking initiatives. By staying adaptable and embracing emerging technologies, He ensures that his businesses remain ahead of the curve.
ry
THE FUTURE OF NFC TECHNOLOGY
The evolution of NFC technology is poised to reshape the way we interact with the world. Ozkan Oz envisions a future where NFC is deeply integrated with IoT, smart cities, healthcare, and personal devices. His contributions to this space, through products like Smart Gift Bags, Smart Greeting Cards, and Smart Business Cards, are designed to enhance convenience and sustainability. The upcoming NFC chip manufacturing facility is another bold step in advancing the industry, making NFC technology more accessible while supporting local production and innovation.
CreativityasaBusinessDriver
CreativityhasbeenthefoundationofOzkanOz’s entrepreneurialventures.HistenureasaCreative Directortaughthimtoapproachchallengeswith inventivesolutions.Thismindsethasbeen instrumentalinshapingproductsthatgobeyond functionalitytocreateemotionalandmemorable userexperiences.KorbleSmartGreetingCards, forinstance,areareflectionofthisphilosophy, seamlesslyblendingtechnologywithheartfelt connections.Byintegratingcreativethinkingwith businessobjectives,Hehascraftedsolutionsthat arebothinnovativeanddeeplyresonantwith consumers.
RecognitionandIndustryImpact
WinningprestigiousawardsliketheNetty,NYX, andMuseCreativeAwardshasfurthercemented OzkanOz’sinfluenceinthetechindustry These accoladesvalidatehiswork,enhancingcredibility andopeningdoorstonewopportunities.More thanjustrecognition,theseawardsinspire confidenceamongconsumersandindustry partners,affirmingthathisinnovationsmeetthe higheststandardsofqualityandoriginality
COVER STORY
A Vision For THE FUTURE
Looking ahead, Ozkan Oz’s vision for SOFTECH TEXAS LLC and its brands, including Korble, is to redefine how people interact with technology while fostering sustainability. His ambition to establish the first NFC chip manufacturing facility in the U.S. marks a transformative milestone for the industry. As Korble continues to grow, the goal remains clear: revolutionizing the greeting card industry by integrating technology that adds value and longevity to its products. Through strategic partnerships, an expanding patent portfolio, and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Ozkan Oz is setting new benchmarks in the world of technology.
His journey is an inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs, proving that with creativity, persistence, and vision, it is possible to shape the future of an industry while making a lasting impact on the world.
B
How Self-Investment Fuel
Entrepreneurial
Beyond Business: Fuels Entrepreneurial Greatness
5.FinancialLiteracy:TheEntrepreneur's UltimateAdvantage
Manybusinessesfailnotbecauseofalackof greatideasbutduetopoorfinancial management.Understandingmoney—howto earn,save,andinvestit—determineslong-term sustainability.
WhyEntrepreneursMustMasterFinancial Literacy
● Helpsinmakinginformedinvestment andbudgetingdecisions.
● Reducestheriskoffinancial mismanagementandbankruptcy
● Enhanceswealth-buildingstrategiesfor personalandbusinessgrowth.
Self-InvestmentinFinancialGrowth:
✔Workwithfinancialmentorsoradvisors.
✔Readbooksonwealth-buildingand businessfinance.
✔Learnaboutinvestmentstrategiesto diversifyincomestreams.
6.PersonalBranding:PositioningYourself asanAuthority
Entrepreneurswhoinvestintheirpersonal brandscreatelastingcredibilityandinfluence. Whetherthroughsocialmedia,public speaking,orthoughtleadership,astrong personalbrandsetsindustryleadersapart.
The
Benefits
ofPersonalBranding
● Attractsinvestors,clients,andtop talent.
● Positionsyouasanindustryauthority.
● Buildstrustandlong-terminfluence.
StepstoBuildaStrongPersonalBrand:
✔Sharevaluableinsightsthroughblogs, videos,orpodcasts.
✔Engagewithaudiencesonsocialmediaand professionalplatforms.
✔Speakatevents,webinars,andconferences.
FinalThoughts:Self-InvestmentistheUltimate CompetitiveEdge
Entrepreneurialtriumphisn'tjustaboutbusiness growth—it'saboutpersonalevolution.Themost successfulleadersunderstandthatself-investmentis notaluxurybutanecessity.Bydevelopingastrong mindset,prioritizinglearning,maintainingwellbeing,expandingnetworks,masteringfinances,and buildingapowerfulbrand,youpositionyourselffor long-termsuccess.
TakeActionToday:
● Identifyoneareawhereyouneedtoinvestin yourself.
● Setmeasurablegoalsforpersonaland professionalgrowth.
● Committodailyhabitsthatfuelcontinuous improvement.
Yourbusinesscanonlygrowasmuchas you do.So, investinyourself—becausewhenyouthrive, everythingaroundyouflourishes.
Financial
Financial Literacy: Entrepreneur's Ultimate Advantage
SKY
Special Profile
ForAlexander,buildinggo-to-marketstrategies isn'tjustaboutpushingproducts—it'sabout respectingthecustomerwhileleveragingproductledgrowth,strategicmarketentries,and innovativedigitalcampaigns.Hisabilitytoblend theseelementsintocohesivestrategieshasledto consistentbusinessgrowthandcustomerdelight. Thisadaptabilityisakeyfactorinhiscurrentrole atFusionConnect,whereheishelpingreinvent thecompany'smarketingapproach.
TheThrillofTech’sRapidPace
WhatdrawsAlexandertothetechindustryisits fast-pacedproductlifecycle."Unlikeother industries,techproductscanhavealifecycleas shortaseightmonths,"heexplains.Thisrapid paceoffersauniqueadvantage—lessonslearned intechcanoccurinafractionofthetimethey mightinotherindustries.Thecompressed lifecyclefosterscreativity,energy,andanalytical thinking,allofwhichfuelhispassionfortech marketing.
Theabilitytolearnquickly,pivot,andexecuteat scaleisaskillAlexandermasteredduringhis timeatcompanieslikeSunMicrosystems, Microsoft,andAWS.Thesecompanies,while vastlydifferentintheirapproach,taughthimhow toblendagilitywithscalability—acrucial combinationintoday’sfast-evolvingtech landscape.
AtFusionConnect,heappliesthismindsetto buildamarketingenginethatisnotjustcustomercentricbutalsoagileenoughtokeepupwiththe rapidshiftsincloudcommunicationsand collaborationtechnologies.
THE ART AND SCIENCE OF GO-TO-MARKET STRATEGIES
Whenitcomestodevelopingasuccessfulgo-tomarketstrategy,Alexanderreliesonastructured yetadaptableframework.Headvocatesfora "connectedcommercialization"modelthat incorporatesfivekeyelements:
CustomerandProductStrategy:Thisinvolvesa deepunderstandingofthebuyer’sjourneyand needs,ensuringproduct-marketfitandclear differentiation.
OfferDefinition:Gettingpreciseaboutthe productattheSKUlevelandaligningpackaging, pricing,andpromotionswithcustomerneeds.
MarketingExecution:Buildingdemand generationenginesandhoningvaluepropositions totargettherightaudience.
SalesandChannelMotion:Equippingsales teams,bothdirectandindirect,withthetoolsthey needtosucceed.
CustomerLifecycleEngagement:Ensuringthe customerremainsengagedpost-sale,from deploymenttosupport,turningthemintolongtermadvocates.
ForAlexander,understandingacompany's strengthsandweaknessesisessentialtostanding outinthemarket.Hestressesauthenticityin meetingcustomerneeds,athemethatcarries throughineveryaspectofhisstrategy.
LeveragingProduct-LedGrowth
AtFusionConnect,Alexanderembracesa product-ledgrowthstrategy,onethatisdriven bythecustomerexperience.Hisapproachis simple:provideaneasyentrypointthrough freemiumorfreetrialmodels,letting customersexperiencetheproductfirsthand. Thisstrategywashighlysuccessfulduringhis timeatControlUp,whereITprofessionals preferredtoengagewithproductsdirectly ratherthanthroughmarketingorsales channels.
Alexandercontinuestoapplythisthinkingat FusionConnect,offeringfreetrialsofproducts likeOperatorConnectforMicrosoftTeams, allowingprospectstoexploretheplatform's capabilitiesbeforecommitting."Providinga hands-onexperiencelowersthebarriersto entry,"henotes,underscoringtheeffectiveness ofproduct-ledstrategiesintoday’smarket.
BuildingStrongBrandsandLeading Categories
AsAlexanderpointsout,branddevelopmentis morecriticaltodaythaneverbefore. Consumersexpecttransparency,authenticity, andacompany’ssocialresponsibilitytobe alignedwiththeirownvalues."Peoplewantto dobusinesswithcompaniesthatarelike them,"hesays.Thisiswhybrandmessaging mustgobeyondtheproductandreflectthe company’svaluesinawaythatresonateswith customers.
Alexanderalsohighlightstheimportanceof categorydevelopment,especiallywhen introducingnewproductsorservices.By settingtherulesofthegamethroughcategory creation,acompanycanleadtheindustryand forcecompetitorstofollow.
ThePowerofDigitalMarketing
Digitalmarketing,accordingtoAlexander,has evolvedfromsimpletacticstoamoreholistic, audience-focusedapproach.Successnolonger dependsonmerelyhavinggreatvideosoradsbut oncreatingauthentic,relevantcontentthatmeets thecustomerwheretheyare."Thebestcampaigns haveahumanconnection,"hesays,stressingthe importanceofB2Bmarketersmaintainingfocus onthehumanelementtodriveengagement.
Hisfavoritecampaignsarethosethatseamlessly blendthedigitalandphysicalworlds,creatinga connectionthatfeelsauthenticandtimely This business-to-humanapproach,asAlexandercalls it,ensuresthatthemarketingeffortsremain groundedintherealityofcustomerneeds.
FosteringInnovationandTeamPerformance
Alexanderisnotjustastrategicmarketer;he’s alsoaleaderwhobelievesinempoweringhis team.Hefostersacultureofinnovationby encouraginghisteamtoowntheirrolesand experimentwithnewideas.Mistakes,henotes, areanaturalpartoftheprocessandoftenprovide valuableinsights.
Trust,confidencewithoutego,andawillingness tobreaktherulesarecentraltoAlexander’s leadershipphilosophy.Hebelievesingiving peoplethespacetoexploreandcreate,andin doingso,theybuildconfidenceanddevelopinto high-performingteams.
Special Profile
LOOKING AHEAD: DRIVING DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
AtFusionConnect,Alexanderseesabrightfuture.Thecompanyishelpingcustomers transitionfromoutdatedtechnologyandembracemodernsolutions,drivingdigital transformationacrossindustries.Ascloudcommunicationsandconnectivityconverge, FusionConnectiswell-positionedtoleadthisshift,providingseamless,unified platformsthatsimplifyoperationsforcustomers.
ForAlexander,marketingplaysacriticalroleinthistransformation,helpingguide customersthroughthecomplexitiesofmodernizationandensuringtheyfeelconfident intheirjourney.
Conclusion:PassionforInnovationandMentorship
Throughouthiscareer,AlexanderRublowskyhasconsistentlydemonstratedapassion forinnovation,customer-centricmarketing,andmentorship.Hisadvicetoaspiring marketers?Seekmentorshipandconstantlylearnfromthosearoundyou.It’sthis curiosityanddriveforcontinuousimprovementthathavefueledhissuccessand continuetoshapehisvisionatFusionConnect.
Inanindustrythatneverstandsstill,Alexander’sapproach—rootedinradical experimentation,authenticity,andadeepunderstandingofthecustomer—ensuresthat FusionConnectremainsattheforefrontofcloudcommunications.
STRONGER TOGETHER: 10 ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR BUILDING LASTING BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS
StrongerTogether:10EssentialTipsforBuildingLastingBusinessPartnerships
How to Foster Trust, Collaboration, and Client Success
Intoday'sinterconnectedbusinessworld,strongpartnershipsarethefoundationoflong-termsuccess. Whetheryou'reworkingwithclients,suppliers,orstrategicallies,buildingandmaintainingbusiness partnershipsrequirestrust,clearcommunication,andmutualgrowth.
Butwhatmakesapartnershiptrulysuccessful?Howdoyouensurebothpartiesthriveinthelongrun? Thisarticleexplorestenactionabletipstohelpyoubuildandsustainstrongbusinesspartnerships thatdriveclientsuccess.
1.DefineSharedGoalsandExpectations
Asuccessfulbusinesspartnershipstartswithaclearvision.Beforedivingintoacollaboration,both partiesmustdefinetheirgoals,expectations,anddesiredoutcomes.
HowtoSettheRightGoals:
● Establishshort-termandlong-termobjectivesthatalignwithbothpartners'interests.
● Discussexpectationsaroundcommunication,deliverables,andkeyperformanceindicators (KPIs).
● Regularlyrevisitandadjustgoalsasthebusinessevolves.
✅ Tip: Use a formal partnership agreement to document roles, responsibilities, and objectives to prevent misunderstandings.
Implement collaboration tools like Slack, Asana, or Trello to streamline communication and task management.
HowtoStayFlexible:
● Beopentoadjusting agreements,terms,and responsibilities.
● Stayaheadofindustrytrendsto pivotwhennecessary
● Encourageinnovationand proactiveproblem-solving.
✅ Tip: The most successful partnerships evolve with market demands rather than resisting change.
7.SetClearFinancialandLegal Agreements
Moneymatterscaneitherstrengthenor breakapartnership.Establishingclear financialagreementsandlegal structurespreventsdisputes.
WhattoCoverinAgreements:
● Paymentterms,revenuesharingmodels,andfinancial commitments.
● Legalresponsibilities,dispute resolutionmethods,andexit strategies.
● Intellectualpropertyrightsand confidentialityclauses.
✅ Tip: Always have a legal professional review agreements to avoid complications down the road.
8.DeliverValueConsistently
Forapartnershiptothrive,bothsides mustfeeltheyarereceivingtangible benefits.Alwayslookforwaystoadd valuebeyondtheinitialagreement.
Ways
to
AddValue:
● Offerexpertise,insights,andinnovativesolutions.
● Provideadditionalresources,referrals,orstrategic connections.
● Supportyourpartner'sbusinessgrowth,evenbeyond thescopeofyourdirectpartnership.
✅ Tip: The more value you bring, the stronger and more resilient your partnership becomes.
9.HandleConflictswithProfessionalism
Nopartnershipiswithoutchallenges.Disagreementsare inevitable,buthowtheyarehandleddeterminesthe partnership'slongevity.
HowtoResolveConflictsEffectively:
● Addressissuesearlybeforetheyescalate.
● Focusonsolutionsratherthanblame.
● Seekmediationifnecessary,ensuringfairnessforboth parties.
✅ Tip: A well-handled conflict can strengthen trust rather than weaken it.
10.CelebrateWinsandStrengthentheRelationship
Successfulpartnershipsshouldbenurturedandcelebrated. Acknowledgingmilestones,appreciatingcontributions,and fosteringgoodwillwillstrengthenyourbusinessrelationship.
WaystoStrengthenthePartnership:
● Recognizeandcelebratejointsuccesses,bigorsmall.
● Sendpersonalizedappreciationmessagesorgifts.
● Investinlong-termrelationship-buildingactivities, suchasretreatsorinformalmeetups.
✅ Tip: A strong partnership goes beyond business—it becomes a valuable relationship built on mutual respect and trust.
FINAL THOUGHTS: THE POWER OF STRONG BUSINESS PARTNERSHIPS
Strong business partnerships don't happen overnight. They require effort, trust, communication, and shared success. By implementing these ten strategies, you can build partnerships that not only last but also contribute to long-term growth and success.
Key Takeaways:
> Clearly define goals, roles, and expectations.
> Prioritize transparent communication and trust.
> Align on core values and adapt to changes.
> Establish clear financial and legal agreements.
> Deliver consistent value and handle conflicts professionally.
> Celebrate achievements and strengthen relationships.
Start building meaningful business partnerships today—because success is always greater when shared!
