In the dawn of our startup journey, with excitement and fervor, we ventured into creating four distinct products. Like many startups, we believed that diversification would be our best strategy. We couldn’t have been more mistaken.
The Struggles of Juggling Multiple Products
Dilution of resources was our first hurdle. When you spread yourself thin, neither product gets the undivided attention it deserves. Our team, no matter how agile and enthusiastic, was struggling to meet the demands of maintaining and enhancing four different products.
Marketing became our next mammoth challenge. Crafting a clear and compelling message for each product was no small feat. We grappled with understanding the right customer persona and, in our endeavor to cater to everyone, ended up confusing many. Potential customers were left wondering: “What does Favoriot actually specialize in?”
Pricing was another quagmire. Four products meant four pricing strategies, each with its unique challenges and competitive pressures. A lot of energy was expended in approaching different customers, managing varied social media channels, and crafting content tailored for each product. Exhaustion set in, and with it, a realization: we were on a hamster wheel, running hard but not making the desired progress.
The Turnaround: Honing our Focus
Faced with lackluster traction and an exhausted team, we reached a pivotal crossroads. The decision was between diversifying into vertical markets or zeroing in on our core technology. Our previous attempt to cover four vertical markets hadn’t worked, so we took the brave leap towards precision.
We decided to pour all our energy into the Favoriot Platform, our IoT platform. This was the game-changer. By focusing our efforts and resources into one direction, not only did we ensure that our product was of top-notch quality, but we also simplified our marketing message.
The Rise of Favoriot Platform
As we honed in on the Favoriot Platform, the market began to sit up and take notice. Customers now had clarity on what Favoriot was all about, and our expertise in the IoT space started shining through. Our efforts were no longer spread thin, and our product, being the sole focus, received the attention and refinement it deserved.
Today, as we stand recognized as a formidable enabler for IoT in Malaysia and the region, we realize the importance of focus in a startup’s journey. By channeling our efforts towards the Favoriot Platform, we not only found our niche but also set ourselves on the path to becoming market leaders.
In the world of startups, sometimes, less truly is more. And our journey from multiplicity to singularity is a testament to that.
In this digital age, where capturing memories often means clicking a quick photo or shooting a brief video, I find solace and depth in the art of writing. Here’s why writing holds a special place in my heart and has become my chosen medium for preserving memories and sharing experiences.
1. Recording the Essence of Memories
While photos and videos can capture a moment in time, they often fail to convey the complete essence of the experience. The sights, sounds, and actions can be documented, but what about the flurry of emotions, the nuances of conversations, or the introspection that follows? Writing allows me to paint a more detailed picture, diving deeper into moments, and encapsulating feelings that are often too intricate to be captured visually.
2. A Legacy for the Future
As I approach the culmination of a long and fruitful career, the desire to leave behind a legacy becomes more palpable. I hope that when my children, grandchildren, or even great-grandchildren read about my life, they gain insight into the person I was. Through my words, they can travel back in time, understanding my aspirations, struggles, victories, and the wisdom I gathered along the way.
3. Inspiring the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship is a journey filled with ups and downs. By sharing my story, I aim to provide guidance, hope, and inspiration to those who wish to tread this path. Every lesson I’ve learned, every challenge I’ve faced, can serve as a beacon for someone else. Writing offers me a platform to share these invaluable lessons, making sure they don’t vanish but instead light the way for others.
4. The Therapeutic Nature of Writing
There’s a therapeutic aspect to writing that can’t be understated. Revisiting old memories, reflecting on experiences, and putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) is cathartic. It provides an opportunity for introspection, helping me understand my journey better and appreciate the milestones I’ve achieved.
5. The Gift of Sharing
I firmly believe that lessons learned end nowhere if they’re not shared. What’s the point of accumulating knowledge if it’s locked away, inaccessible to those who might benefit from it? Writing enables me to share my insights, not just with those close to me, but with anyone who might stumble upon my words.
In conclusion, while photos and videos are wonderful tools for preserving specific moments, writing offers a depth and richness that they often can’t match. As I pen down my experiences, I am not just preserving memories; I am creating a treasure trove of wisdom, inspiration, and love for future generations. And in that, I find immeasurable joy and purpose.
In the vibrant world of startups, bootstrapping can feel like a never-ending challenge. It’s akin to driving a car that’s always on the verge of running out of gas or perpetually looking at a bank account that can’t hold enough money, no matter how much you deposit.
Calculating Runway Amid a Pandemic
Our startup journey took an unexpected turn with the onset of the Covid-19 lockdown. The dramatic decline in our business forced us to assess our existing resources meticulously and determine our financial runway.
Facing Tough Decisions: Salary Cuts
During these precarious times, we faced difficult decisions. One of the most challenging was to implement salary cuts. As a founder, reducing the paycheck of your committed employees is a task that comes heavy with emotional turmoil.
The Hidden Pressure of a Founder
Many employees might not fully grasp the weight that a founder carries to ensure the startup’s survival. As a founder, you’re not just a leader; you’re the captain navigating the ship through a tumultuous storm, striving to keep it afloat.
The Importance of Timing: Payment Terms and Collection
A crucial part of our survival strategy revolved around managing our payment terms and collections. Ensuring that cash comes in when needed was just as important as making sales, teaching us that cash flow is as much about timing as it is about volume.
Lessons Learned Through Financial Struggles
This journey has been a significant learning experience. It taught me the value of careful financial planning and the ability to navigate through challenging conditions. The path of a bootstrapped startup, while strenuous, can instill resilience and adaptability.
The Silver Lining: Becoming Efficient and Agile
Looking back, the financial crunch, as tough as it was, acted as a catalyst for positive change. It pushed us towards efficiency, made us more resourceful, and forced us to become agile.
Stronger Through Challenges
Despite the trials, I treasure this experience. It has provided me with a stronger belief in my vision, an appreciation for my team’s efforts, and an undeniable sense of fortitude. Navigating a bootstrapped startup during a crisis has made us stronger, braver, and more prepared for future challenges.
Not Just Survival, But Growth
Ultimately, our journey is about more than just survival. It’s about growth and resilience. Through managing cash flow in our startup, we’ve not only learned how to stay afloat, but we’ve also developed the ability to fearlessly sail through the storms that come our way.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas, the co-founder and CEO of FAVORIOT Sdn Bhd, possesses a remarkable set of traits that have contributed to his success. Let’s explore five of these traits that have shaped his journey of excellence.
1. Visionary Leadership: Pioneering the Internet of Things (IoT)
Dr. Mazlan’s visionary leadership has played a pivotal role in advancing the Internet of Things (IoT) landscape. His forward-thinking approach and ability to anticipate industry trends have set him apart. Key aspects of his visionary leadership include:
Identifying emerging technologies: Dr. Mazlan stays ahead of the curve by identifying and embracing cutting-edge technologies that drive digital transformation.
Industry influence: As a top-ranked thought leader in IoT and digital disruption, he influences the industry by sharing his insights and expertise at global conferences.
Driving innovation: Dr. Mazlan fosters a culture of innovation, encouraging teams to explore new possibilities and create disruptive solutions.
2. Expertise and Knowledge: A Profound Understanding of IoT and Telecommunications
With over three decades of experience, Dr. Mazlan possesses a profound understanding of IoT and telecommunications. His expertise is evident in the following areas:
Academic background: As an associate professor and adjunct professor at various universities, he has continuously expanded his knowledge and shared his expertise with the academic community.
Thought leadership: Dr. Mazlan’s extensive research and contributions to the IoT field have established him as a leading authority in the industry.
Continuous learning: He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and stays updated with the latest advancements in IoT and telecommunications.
3. Strong Industry Network: Collaborating for Success
Dr. Mazlan’s ability to build and nurture strong industry connections has been instrumental in his success. Key aspects of his strong industry network include:
Collaborative partnerships: He actively collaborates with industry stakeholders, academia, and government bodies to drive IoT initiatives and create synergistic opportunities.
Advisory roles: Dr. Mazlan serves on industry advisory panels for local universities, providing guidance and expertise to shape educational programs aligned with industry needs.
Global influence: Through his speaking engagements at international conferences, he expands his network and forms valuable connections with global IoT leaders.
4. Effective Communication: Inspiring and Influencing Change
As a TEDx speaker and frequent presenter at conferences worldwide, Dr. Mazlan possesses exceptional communication skills. He excels in the following areas:
Engaging storytelling: Dr. Mazlan captivates audiences with his compelling storytelling, effectively conveying complex IoT concepts in a relatable and accessible manner.
Thought-provoking presentations: His presentations inspire change and prompt audiences to explore new ideas, ultimately driving innovation in the IoT space.
Influential advocacy: Through his thought leadership and communication skills, Dr. Mazlan advocates for the transformative potential of IoT, encouraging others to embrace its possibilities.
5. Passion and Perseverance: Fueling Continuous Growth
Passion and perseverance are at the core of Dr. Mazlan’s success. His unwavering dedication and drive fuel his continuous growth. Key aspects of his passion and perseverance include:
Life-long learning: Dr. Mazlan’s passion for knowledge and personal growth has motivated him to pursue advanced degrees, honorary doctorates, and stay at the forefront of technological advancements.
Overcoming challenges: He approaches challenges with resilience and determination, learning from setbacks and using them as stepping stones toward further success.
Making an impact: Dr. Mazlan’s deep-rooted passion for IoT and its transformative potential drives him to make a positive impact in the industry, society, and the lives of individuals.
Dr. Mazlan Abbas’s journey of excellence is a testament to his visionary leadership, expertise, strong industry network, effective communication, and unwavering passion. These traits have not only shaped his own success but have also paved the way for the advancement of IoT and digital transformation on a global scale.
In the chilling echoes of a not-so-distant future, “Panic” weaves the harrowing tale of a dystopian Earth, gasping for the last remnants of oxygen. The once thriving planet is now a desolate landscape, its lifeblood controlled by an unscrupulous scientist with no regard for the pleas of his desperate subjects.
A group of young survivors, the last vestiges of humanity, bear the weight of an inhospitable world on their shoulders. They are the remnants of a better past, trapped in a body that combines their human spirit with bionic enhancements, a tribute to the desperate experiments of their ancestors. Their minds, gifted with superhuman intelligence, shine brightly amidst the bleak horizon, their hope a stark contrast against the backdrop of despair.
In the wake of a cataclysmic battle that left the Earth’s last oxygen source in ruins, a new kind of fear begins to spread, more potent than the terror they’ve known. The oxygen slowly dissipates, leaving behind an earth that’s but a hollow shell of its former self. Yet, amidst the growing panic, the flame of resistance sparks to life.
“Panic” is a poignant journey of struggle and survival, a testament to human resilience. Our bionic youngsters, armed with their enhanced intellect and indomitable spirit, seek to reverse the catastrophic fate of mankind. Their mission becomes a desperate race against time, each breath drawing them closer to their end, yet pushing them further in their resolve to save humanity.
As the world teeters on the brink of extinction, the youngsters find themselves grappling not only with their external reality but also the internal conundrums of their own existence. Their tale paints a profound portrait of desperation and courage, embodying the human spirit’s refusal to surrender even in the face of overwhelming odds.
In this dystopian nightmare, “Panic” delivers a stark warning, a reminder of our fragile existence, and the delicate balance that sustains life on our planet. It echoes a cry for change, illuminating the extraordinary lengths to which humanity can go to preserve life, and the world as we know it. The movie also offers a glimmer of hope, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring power of courage and determination in the face of calamity.
In the epic tale of “AI Sword,” the vast expanse of space collides with the rugged tapestry of the medieval times, creating a symphony of paradoxical realities that breathe life into this unforgettable narrative. In an age defined by clashing steel and fiery courage, a group of hardy warriors find their world turned upside down when they cross paths with an unlikely ally – extraterrestrial beings seeking assistance against formidable foes from a distant universe.
An object of unprecedented power and intelligence is gifted to these noble warriors by their newfound allies, an AI sword capable of unimaginable feats, its brilliant gleam a beacon of hope amidst the impending chaos. Its intelligence echoes with the knowledge of galaxies far beyond their comprehension, a sentient weapon whose wisdom surpasses the collective knowledge of all medieval earth.
However, as shadows lengthen, an ominous threat approaches – the invaders. Armed with catastrophic superpowers that could reduce their world to mere cosmic dust, these invaders from another universe demonstrate the potential for unprecedented devastation. The earth stands on the precipice of annihilation, its fate intertwined with the capabilities of the AI Sword and the resilience of its medieval defenders.
“AI Sword” is a heart-stopping narrative of courage, friendship, and sacrifice, set against the backdrop of a world where the boundaries between technology and magic, past and future, are blurred. It’s a tale that holds your heart captive, as you journey with these warriors, their fears echoing your own, their courage igniting a fire within you. As they wield their extraordinary weapon against the invaders, each clash reverberates with the hope of survival and the dread of oblivion.
In this epic collision of universes and times, “AI Sword” offers a sweeping exploration of unity in the face of impending doom, highlighting the power of alliances that cross the boundaries of time and space. As the warriors stand tall, their AI sword gleaming under the cosmic skies, their tale becomes a testament to the indomitable spirit of resistance and the enduring power of friendship.
I am grateful to be invited to this 28COE (Credentials of Entrepreneurs) Quotes Book.
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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:
Start Your IoT Business
Your IoT Guide
IoT Journey Guide
Transform into IoT
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!
