An AIoT Evangelist | Startup Founder | Keynote Speaker | Thought Leader | Author | Social Media Influencer
If you were forced to wear one outfit over and over again, what would it be?
This is my office outfit that I wear almost every other day.
But most of the time, it will be during my industry talks, meetings, and others.
Although during some official matters with Government meetings, I might wear an office attire. But no tie!
What are you passionate about?
From the first whispers of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the early 2000s to now, my love for this technology has grown and matured, mirroring the very evolution of IoT itself. In 2014, what was a casual interest transformed into a fervent pursuit, leading me to serve as the CEO of a smart cities-focused subsidiary between 2015 and 2017.
The establishment of my start-up, Favoriot, marked a significant milestone on my path. This venture embodied not only my professional dedication but also my personal passion, intertwining the two to the point of being indistinguishable. It was here that I embraced my role as an IoT thought leader and evangelist, sharing my fascination and knowledge with a wider audience. Such was my influence that I found myself affectionately dubbed as the “Father of IoT Malaysia” – a humbling honor that fuels my commitment to this day.
My constant exploration and work in IoT often astonish my friends and business colleagues. Their career paths have taken several turns over the years, while mine has remained faithfully on the course set by IoT. Their curiosity always brings me back to a simple truth – the undeniable power of passion. It’s this fervor that empowers a founder to surmount the harshest obstacles, adapt amidst relentless challenges, and survive in a competitive, ever-changing market. Passion is the engine that drives the venture and the compass that guides it.
Despite my intense focus on IoT, my life is not without other interests. I find myself charmed by the allure of new gadgets, captivated by the art of photography, and rejuvenated by the thrill of exploring new places. These hobbies might not directly contribute to my business, but they offer an invaluable break, a mental oasis amidst the rigors of entrepreneurial life.
As I pen this down, I find myself curious about your passions. What sparks your interest, what challenges you, what excites you? In the end, isn’t it the interconnection of our stories, much like the interconnection of devices in IoT, that makes our shared journey all the more fascinating?
After all, in this grand scheme of things, our passions and pursuits, no matter how diverse, are interconnected in their drive to make the world a better place. And as the “Father of IoT Malaysia,” I invite you to join me on this journey to discover, learn, and grow together in this ever-evolving world of IoT.
What’s the one luxury you can’t live without?
I believe my current iPhone Pro Max is the most expensive smartphone I have ever own.
Maybe with the same price, I can buy a laptop. I have never imagined a phone can be more expensive than a laptop.
On the other hand, this iPhone acts as a small laptop. It can run many apps which is available on a laptop such as Microsoft Office, video editing tools and many more. Although at times, serious editing using Canva or Powerpoint is far easier on Laptop or my Mac.
I carried this gadget all day long. It captures my moments and saves many of my personal data.
This is something I can’t live without. Why? Because if I forgot to bring my phone, I will quickly go back to fetch it.
How about you?
I love gadgets and using latest tech. I wanted to document my experience and thus created a blog on this. Later, I decided to record and have my own YouTube channel.
The YouTube channel started almost 12 years ago. The first video was a Tutorial how to reduce a PDF file size using a Mac.
I named the channel “My Gadget” because most of the contents contained my gadget review. Especially the items which I purchased.
Also I reviewed about Apple iOS, the apps and the Jailbreak methods.
What’s interesting about the videos that was 12 years ago, it took quite an effort to record the video and edit them.
In the early videos, I was not that comfortable to speak in front of the camera. Thus, most of the videos are either silent or only with background music.
However, I am grateful and fortunate to first appear on TV9 called Segmen Gizmo being interviewed to comment on the recent gadget released by Apple.
What’s the status of your latest eBook?
For some time now, I’ve been laying the groundwork for my third eBook. It’s been almost two years since my first two eBooks, “IoT Notes” and “Your IoT Journey,” made their debut.
Much of the content for this forthcoming eBook has already been penned in my IoT World Blog. The primary task remaining is to consolidate these pieces into a cohesive eBook format.
However, I’ve been ensnared by procrastination for over two years now.
How can I overcome this?
My strategies include setting a deadline, dedicating specific time slots for drafting (likely over the weekend), and finding a serene environment for focused writing. I’m even considering a beach vacation to fully concentrate on my writing.
My goal is to finish the eBook within the next three months.
What are your thoughts? Do you have any advice on battling procrastination?
How do you know when it’s time to unplug? What do you do to make it happen?
At times, our marketing strategies don’t yield the desired results, despite trying various approaches. The growth we seek seems elusive, making it necessary to reconsider our tactics, whether that’s adjusting pricing, devising a new strategy, experimenting with alternative marketing platforms, tweaking our messaging, targeting a different customer base, or even introducing new products. If these efforts still fall short, it may be time to take a step back, to decompress and regain perspective.
I often find solace in vacations, peaceful beach walks, or revisiting my passion for photography, perhaps even catching up on some movies. I might not be able to completely disconnect from the digital world as I value the ability to stay connected and enjoy using my favorite mobile apps.
Does this approach always work? Not necessarily. But it occasionally provides fresh insights into the challenges I’m facing, which is a valuable starting point for innovative ideas.
What about your experiences?
For nearly two years, I have delayed working on this eBook due to my chronic habit of procrastination.
One of the factors contributing to this delay is my belief that the content is insufficient.
Moreover, I lack the confidence to publish a new eBook, fearing that it may not meet the standards necessary for people to consider purchasing it.
Additionally, my busy schedule managing my business has left me with limited time and focus to dedicate to writing.
Furthermore, I failed to establish a deadline for myself, making it challenging to complete the eBook.
Without a set timeline, accomplishing the task of finishing the eBook appears highly improbable.
What jobs have you had?
I’ve had the privilege to work in three diverse sectors: academia, industry, and government, with ten, twenty-one, and eight years of experience respectively.
In academia, my endeavors included teaching, conducting research, authoring academic papers and journals, as well as presenting at conferences.
My time in the industry was spent across two telecommunications companies and my own startup. I acquired leadership skills, managing everything from small teams to larger divisions with over 100 staff members.
While in government roles, I collaborated with numerous agencies, overseeing multimillion-dollar R&D projects and generating patents.
These experiences provided me with an understanding of various issues – from educational challenges to those surrounding research and development. I learned how to manage large divisions, even acting as the CEO of a subsidiary, and how to establish my own products and services as an entrepreneur.
I have had the opportunity to work in large corporations with abundant resources, and in contrast, in startups with limited funding and manpower.
The journey took me from being an employee to becoming an employer, understanding both perspectives. My career has spanned from the era of analog technology (IR 1.0) to the digital, Internet, and AI era (IR 4.0)
These valuable experiences, for which I am deeply grateful, have equipped me to contribute meaningfully to the younger generation.
What else could one wish for?
Today, I began my journey of writing my next eBook. After completing my last two eBooks, I realized the need for a more comprehensive guide on IoT. I want to provide readers with an enhanced version of my previous book, “Your IoT Journey,” with even more valuable content.
However, as I pondered over the title, I started to have second thoughts about the original one. I believe a captivating title is crucial for attracting readers and conveying the objectives of the book effectively. So, I decided to brainstorm some alternative titles that would encompass the essence of the book while sparking curiosity. Here are a few options I came up with:
I’m open to any suggestions or feedback on these titles. Feel free to share your thoughts and help me choose the perfect title for my upcoming eBook. Stay tuned for the next update!
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 