What is the last thing you learned?
I often wonder, “Mazlan, at your age, can you still learn something genuinely new?” Well, let me assure you—I absolutely can. Life, especially one intertwined with technology, has a delightful way of keeping even the most seasoned among us humble and curious.
The last thing I learned was about storytelling, not just any kind of storytelling, but storytelling through short-form video, specifically on TikTok. Now, you might be thinking, “TikTok? Mazlan, aren’t you a bit seasoned for that? Isn’t TikTok just dancing teenagers and trendy challenges?” Trust me, I had those exact thoughts myself.
Initially, TikTok felt like uncharted territory, almost alien. As someone who spent decades deeply entrenched in the corporate and academic worlds, making concise yet impactful short-form content was not exactly in my DNA. I was used to elaborate presentations, detailed explanations, and nuanced discussions. But one thing entrepreneurship has repeatedly taught me is adaptability—often the hard way.
It all started when I realised Favoriot needed a fresh, younger audience. We needed to explain IoT in simpler, more digestible chunks, without losing the essence. I asked myself, “Mazlan, how can you explain IoT to someone who might never have heard of it before—and do it in less than 60 seconds?”
At first, the process was a comedy of errors. I recorded my first TikTok in my home office, trying to cram every detail about IoT into a minute. The result? An awkward 59 seconds of rushed speech, complicated jargon, and an expression that clearly said, “I have no idea what I’m doing here.” After rewatching it, even I felt overwhelmed and confused.
“Okay, Mazlan, breathe,” I told myself. “This is just another learning curve—remember when you first encountered blogging? You stumbled, learned, and eventually thrived.” So, back to basics. I studied successful TikTok creators—not the viral dancers, but those who managed to educate effectively and authentically.
What stood out was their storytelling approach—short, focused messages packed with value and personal insight. So, I began scripting my content differently, focusing on just one clear, compelling message per video. Each clip became more straightforward, and I found myself developing a rhythm. I was no longer lecturing; instead, it felt like chatting casually with a curious friend.
And guess what? People started to respond. Comments like “Thank you, Dr. Mazlan, I finally understand IoT!” and “Never thought IoT could be so easy to grasp!” began trickling in. It was astonishing, and incredibly motivating.
The greatest lesson, however, wasn’t just about content creation. It was about humility and openness—recognising that regardless of your past achievements or age, stepping out of your comfort zone remains an essential part of growth. Learning TikTok reminded me that humility, adaptability, and persistence are vital companions in life.
Today, I’m regularly creating content on TikTok, and it genuinely brings me joy to simplify complex IoT concepts for wider audiences. Every new follower, every insightful comment reaffirms this lesson:
You’re never too experienced to learn something new, and the greatest innovations often come when we step into the unknown and embrace being beginners again. So, if you ever find yourself hesitating about exploring unfamiliar ground, remind yourself—”If Mazlan can do TikTok, surely you can take on anything!”
Dr. Mazlan Abbas 