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Desha Jackson: A born visionary leader

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When we are very young and our minds tender, impressions made on it often last forever. 

This is also the time when we get easily influenced by our surroundings and our thought processes start shaping. At age 8, when most kids are engrossed with cartoons, Desha Jackson was moving towards law. She always wanted to help people and make a difference in the world. She believes that her inclination towards law was the first hint that she was cut out for something big. Growing up, she got hooked on legal shows like Perry Mason, Matlock, and LA Law. She perceived law as a versatile career where there are many different areas of practice and one can hang out single or work for the government or a private firm or company. “You also have a choice of transactional work verse litigation. I liked the versatility and the ability to help people,” she says.

Today, she is the managing lawyer of Desha Jackson Law Group. She started as a law clerk in 1996 after law school and also worked as an intern throughout college at different legal offices. She completed courses at the Rutgers University Center of Management Development and obtained an Equal Employment Certificate. Ms. Jackson was the first African-American female to be hired as an Assistant Prosecutor in Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office 150 year history in 1997.

Before opening her firm Ms. Jackson was of Counsel to the Law Office of Evelyn Padin for two years and before that, with the firm of Wilentz, Goldman, and Spitzer where she was assigned to the Employment Law Team. Prior to working at Wilentz, Ms. Jackson was the Assistant Director of the Equal Employment Division of the New Jersey Department of Corrections. There she assisted in investigations of corrections officers and staff discrimination complaints, provided advice about equal employment issues, as well as provided training to employees about the anti-discrimination policy and procedures. 

Ms. Jackson served as Acting Director in the Office of State Police Affairs in 2006.  She was a Deputy Attorney General in this unit for 5 years prior.  In this role she was in charge of overseeing the implementation of the New Jersey State Police Consent Decree regarding Racial Profiling and ensure protection of troopers for violations of their standard operating procedures. She reported directly to the Attorney General of New Jersey in this position while operating a unit of attorneys, law enforcement investigators and staff. During her tenure she argued a case in the New Jersey Supreme Court Ronald said, Jr. vs. State of New Jersey, Division of State Police, 191 N.J. 516 (2007). She won this case by unanimous decision. 

Ms. Jackson returned to the Department of Corrections from 2009 until 2016. She was an Assistant Director and served as the ADA Coordinator for the department during her entire tenure, as well as the manager of the construction and legal affairs units at various times during her tenure. She created and provided training regarding the ADA, advised the Commissioner and other officials and managers regarding various legal issues, and supervised employees. In 2016 Ms. Jackson became a legal consultant for the City of Newark’s Public Safety Department. She was the lead hearing officer for all disciplinary matters and assisted with implementing their consent decree. 

Being there for the Society

Ms. Jackson mainly practices anti-discrimination law. She is also President of her own non-profit DLJ Give to Live Community Foundation. She also produced Jersey City Fashion Week (JCFW) for 9 years and plans to bring it back! Give to Live raises funds and promotes awareness for charitable causes through fashion, entertainment, and sports-related events. Their mission is to raise funds and awareness as well as to support charitable causes, events, and needs of people in some of the following areas: sports, athletics, education, religion, poverty, homelessness, socio-economically depressed areas, law enforcement, the arts, sick and disabled people, children, young adults, students, women and the elderly through fashion, sports and entertainment events.

“We are one of the few purely charity fashion weeks. We have given our proceeds to over 15 other charitable groups that meet our mission including Dress for Success of Hudson County, York Street Project, Boys and Girls Clubs of Hudson County and Art House Productions, Rising Tide Capital, The Hope Center for the Visual and Performing Arts, the Snowflake Youth Foundation, Girdiron Group, Jersey City Recreation, the Concordia Learning Center at St. Joseph School for the Blind, Mo Hair Foundation, Covenant House of New Jersey, Habitat for Humanity of Hudson County, Hope House in Jersey City, Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson and Union Counties, Fashion & Arts XChange Group Easter Seals, Salvation Army, and the Hudson Pride Center. I have a great board and a phenomenal volunteer crew that has been with my program for several years,” exclaims Ms. Jackson.

Making it Big

Intense, focused, and passionate, Ms. Jackson is very involved in professional bar-related activities and was named Young Lawyer of the Year in 2002 by the New Jersey State Bar Association (hereinafter “NJSBA”) Young Lawyers Division. She is a member of several NJSBA and American Bar Association (hereinafter “ABA”) committees and sections including the NJSBA Entertainment, Sports and Arts Section, and the ABA Forum on the Entertainment and Sports Industries. Ms. Jackson is a past NJSBA Board of Trustee member, former Chair of the NJSBA Diversity Committee, and past member and Vice Chair of South Jersey of the NJSBA Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee. Ms. Jackson is also a past president of the New Jersey Women’s Lawyers Association and the first woman of color to lead the organization. She is also a past president of the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey.   

Ms. Jackson has also received many awards and honors throughout her career for professional and community involvement. She received a Women of Distinction Award from the Girl Scout Council of Greater Essex and Hudson Counties in 2005 and a Special Achievement Award from Lakewood NAACP in 2004. She is listed in the Congressional Record by the Honorable Donald M. Payne on February 5, 1998, for professional achievement and in 1998 received the Young Alumnae Achievement Award from Drew University. She has been selected for inclusion in the New Jersey Super Lawyers-Rising Stars Editions from 2006 until 2009. In 2007, Ms. Jackson also received a Professionalism Lawyer of the Year award from the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism and the New Jersey Women Lawyer Association and the Glenn Cunningham Community Service Award from the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).Recently Ms. Jackson was featured in the 100 Top Lawyer Magazine in 2020. 

Drawing Strength from Faith

Ms. Jackson just became a Pastor at her church. She’s a Christian and grew up Baptist and Pentecostal. Her father was a preacher and her mother would sing a different spiritual song every day. God has been at the center of her life since she was born. 

“I feel my belief in Jesus makes me a better lawyer. My clients become part of my firm family. My passion for my clients comes from God. My referrals are because God is running my practice. I would not have become a lawyer if it were not for God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit getting me into and through law school. I passed the bar the first time I took the test. All God!! While I do not always win, there is value in giving all that I have in helping people in their time of need. My practice is really part of my ministry. I literally just realized this recently. Several of my clients have said that too,” said Ms. Jackson. 

Encouraging Diversity

Being inclined towards helping all, Ms. Jackson often finds it tough to say ‘no’ to people around her. However, she soon realized it is not prudent to take on more cases than one can handle. “Clear discernment is the best skill you can have in private practice. Know when to say no,” she says.

In her capacity as the Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association Diversity Committee for many years, Ms. Jackson worked to ensure diversity was an issue considered by lawyers and the NJSBA administration through policy and programs. Their programs specifically dealt with issues like how to increase diversity and issues of inclusion.

“As a lawyer, I hope that my lawsuits against employers regarding discrimination help in some way to change their policies and tactics. Recently, I settled a matter against a major corporation in Las Vegas where my client was called a “Nigger” by someone in management and subsequently not rehired due to that person. Hopefully, there will be change in their policies and procedures regarding this type behavior after this lawsuit.  He was one of a few minorities in the workplace. Lack of diversity in the workplace is sometimes directly related to an unconscious or conscious bias against the minorities, women, older people, etc. This bias can cause you to discriminate and not hire, promote or support the victims. I am a Plaintiff’s anti-discrimination lawyer. I’m hoping to make a difference in eradicating discrimination one case at a time,” she says. While she was president of the Association of Black Women Lawyers and the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association she also participated in, supported, and created programs that helped with diversity in the workplace. 

To the young entrepreneurs, Ms. Jackson says, “Put God first, save money, trust your instincts, not all money is good money, tomorrow is another day, give it all you got, cover your client back, clients need to know you care, the money will come!!”

Looking forward to Growth

Ms. Jackson has advised various clients regarding contracts and business issues in the entertainment and sports industry. These clients have included athletes, dancers, singers, live stage performers, musicians, television personalities, disc jockeys, fashion designers as well as actors. She is also a FIBA agent.  She also has participated in numerous employment matters involving employees and employers including discrimination, severance agreements, and policy matters. She has served as a hearing officer for numerous disciplinary matters. She serves as an investigator for various employment cases including discrimination, ethical matters, and discipline. 

Ms. Jackson is also the creator of the Run Sister Run program at the Center for American Women in Politics. This program is designed to encourage African American Women to participate in the political arena and is planned in conjunction with the Ready to Run Program which provides training for women who are running for office.

“I’m looking into a few things including financing, marketing ideas, hiring a few other lawyers. I’m participating in more ICLE, professional and community organizational programs, and radio and I joined a few groups. I cannot thank my many clients, friends, and colleagues who constantly refer me cases on a regular basis,” concludes Ms. Jackson. 

C. F. Tsai -The Virtuous Leader, Simplifying Law for Business

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If only we could see our future, life would be easy. We could know what will be the impact of what we are doing today. However, the roads ahead of us are always in the mist and we cannot be always lucky enough to have only favorable moments. One’s decision in every moment will decide or shape the eventual performance. So one needs to have a sober mind before a stuck or confusing moment to take rational measures in solving the encountered difficulties to better incubate the intended goal or results.

Being decisive or rational may have different levels. The more equipped or knowledgeable you are or have, the upper level you own. It is therefore our basic recognition to well-equip or well-master ourselves to greet the challenges present in our life journeys. While this holds true for all walks of our life, matters of law need very specific talent. It is not for the common people to understand each and every aspect of the law that could affect their daily life and business. For matters of business law and specific regulations, one must depend on experts in the field. The patent attorneys and patent engineers at Deep & Far Attorneys-at-Law are just the ones businesses can rely on.

A Trusted Firm

It is Deep & Far Attorneys-at-Law’s philosophy to provide competent legal services that other firms cannot comparably provide.  The necessitated ensuing problem is how they can provide so?  The secret lies in selecting, edifying, and nurturing people who have the following personalities: learned in expertise, morally earnest and sincerely behaved in mind, and strictly disciplined between give and take. 

It is well-believed that such properties are key factors for people to properly and competently behave themselves. 

The staff at the firm normally holds outstanding and advanced degrees and are generally graduated from the top three universities in Taiwan.  The prominent staff is dedicated to providing the best quality service in IPRs in this country. By the perseverance that they only do what they do and only perform works that enable the firm to be deep and far, Deep and Far can then equate the reality with its name.  

About one-half of the top 100 incorporations in Taiwan have experienced seeking patents for their techniques. Interestingly, more than one-fifth of the top 100 incorporations have once or more used the services of Deep & Far Attorneys-at-Law. Hi-Tech companies in the science-based industrial park located at Hsin Chu are playing the most important role in booming the economy of Taiwan. Likewise, mMore than 50% of the patent-experienced companies in that park have entrusted Deep & Far with their IPR works.

The firm has been highly ranked by most reputable IP survey entities including Chambers & Partner; Managing I.P.; IP STARS; International Advisory Experts; Corporate INTL; Asialaw; Corporate LiveWire; Corporate USA Today; Global 100; Asia IP;  and more. It currently represents international giants, like Armani, Baidu, Beckhoff, BYD, CICC, Chep, Cypress, Dr. Reddy, Gleason, InterDigital, Lenovo, Lupin, Motorola, MPS, NovaLED, Oppo, Piramal, and more.

An Experienced Name

Deep & Far attorneys-at-law was founded in 1992 by C.F. Tsai because he understood that other firms’ services may not be imaginarily satisfactory, or may not be wonderful enough for the clients. The firm grew rapidly in the early days of its establishment because of its competence.  As time goes by and when more and more newcomers jumped into the market, competence is no more a dominating factor and it challenges the philosophy or mindset of running a business or maneuvering the journey. The founder, Mr. C. F. Tsai is the first patent practitioner in the IP industry in Taiwan who both has technological (Marine Technology from National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University/NYMCTU)) and law (LLB from National Taiwan University/NTU and LLM from Soo Chou University) backgrounds and is qualified as a local attorney-at-law. 

To secure the outstanding service output, one of the successors of the firm is Yu-Li Tsai, a Bachelor from the Electrical Engineering Department of NTU and a Master’s from the Graduate Institute of Communication Engineering of NTU. He received an IP Master’s degree from UNH Law (Franklin Pierce Center for Intellectual Property) and a Scientific Law Master’s degree from NYMCTU and earned the qualifications of Taiwan Patent Attorney and patent agent of US and Mainland China. Another successor is Lu-Fa Tsai who is an attorney-at-law and graduated from the Department of Law of NTU, the Graduate Institute of Law of NTU, and the Faculty of Law of the University of Göttingen in Germany.  

Proven and Efficient Methodology

There is no formula for overnight success. The way to the top for Deep & Far started with the way they tackled their initial struggle. The secret was to insist on the provision of the best quality and improvement of the service quality so that neither the client nor the competitors can find a criticizable loophole in the work quality they provide. As an example, they worked on the validity of Taiwan Utility Model No. 4986, filed and patented in 1971, because it involved historical damage records and disputes until December 17, 2010. More than 50 civil, criminal and administrative court cases have been filed in this regard, and more than 200 judges have ruled in favor of the patentee. This firm represented the accused infringer to challenge the validity of the patent at issue in 1996. Deep & Far won two times in the very same cases at the Supreme Administrative Court (SAC), ruling that the Patent Office and the lower court were wrong. Unfortunately, the patentee made it possible that the Code of Civil Proceedings was amended in 2003 to stipulate that even if Deep & Far won the very same administrative cases, the civil damage cases could not be overturned and that it eventually lost the very same cases before SAC in 2010. “The weapons we had are merely justice in mind and the truth and our competence to show that the patent at issue should be invalid. Our efforts then brought lots of attention, sympathy, and admiration,” says C.F. Tsai.

The roadblocks and challenges included: (1) the severe price cut competition because competitors keep entering this field in various forms; (2) the domestic Clients are typically very cost-sensitive, especially the small and medium-size entities, and often ask for a discount or extra free services. 

For the price cut competition, Deep & Far did not like to participate in the price wars and they found that the fundamental problem is that those Clients who ask for a discount or extra free services do not really understand the value of IP rights, and the reasons why they file the IP applications are just because they know the rights are important but they do not know why and how the rights are important. 

Therefore, the firm’s strategies to overcome the price cut competition are (1) sharing the knowledge of IP rights when they have the opportunity to meet with Clients; (2) sharing the approaches how they provide services with quality higher than other competitors’ and convince clients that they are the better choice even though their service fees are slightly higher than others.  “ For example, we tell the Client that we are confident in and proud of our competence, and welcome to be challenged to so prove or show by, e.g. (a) sending us a pending or granted a patent for our comments about how we can improve the claims, (b) sending us a pending patent specification without the claims for us to draft the claims for the client’s comparison with the original claims, or 3) sending to the firm the client is currently using and this firm at the same time an initial disclosure so that the client can compare and find out which firm can provide the better claims,” explains Tsai.

Becoming a Leader

As per C.F. Tsai, Perseverance (to pursue the chased goal), toughness (to take challenges encountered in chasing the goal), and courage (to cope with all ensuing difficulties upon taking challenges) are good attributes or friends that are always your companions who are often ready to assist you in maneuvering the life journey for exploring a successful life.

On being asked if he believes in micromanagement, he says, “Because devils are hidden in details, micro- or efficient management are important. Nevertheless, management is costly and needs subtle skills. The most efficient management is embedded in the routine works automatically subject to micro-management under an effective system. This is never easy and maybe a reward and punishment system under which everyone needs not feel satisfactory but accepts to be governed, and colleagues are willing to pay efforts in working and try best to safeguard the interests of the clients and the firm.”

He continues, “In the past, the patent portfolio is a valuable asset which deserves handsome investments. 

There is a tendency now that although the patent portfolio is still important, a company would like to build it under a predetermined budget.  It is therefore a firm being the most competent needs not necessarily win the service opportunities.  Accordingly, service opportunities can be secured at a right time from the right person in a service-seeking company.”

The Change, Brought about by the Pandemic

Because every industry will keep rolling, Deep & Far Attorneys-at-Law staunchly believes that the values of perseverance in adhering to quality service, the toughness of never omitting or neglecting quality service, and the courage to chase quality service endlessly are the most priceless tools to help the firm prosper or survive in the future. The recent years become even more challenging because of market competition and the unprecedented pandemic situation of COVID-19 which is merely something similar to a struggle or challenge in the society met in the past so that they need to or just stay with the virtues of perseverance, toughness, and courage related to cognition of quality services, and consigns the future results to the universe what it should deserve through adhering to such virtues.

Words of Wisdom:

Here’s what C.F. Tsai has to say to the young entrepreneurs:

“Never give a “no” answer.  Try to improve society while achieving your goals. 

Don’t stop after you overcome a small difficulty, because you may encounter new or bigger obstacles.  Try to do what is very important.

The best companies are driven by vision.  Therefore, you should stay firm and full of passion.

Try to locate the correct colleagues.

Some entrepreneurs end up in failure because they lack perseverance and problem-solving characteristics.  The secret to succeeding, at least in the early stages, lies in the ability to deal with problems.  If you can solve a problem even faster which you have never had, you should have the characteristics of success.

If you dare wait for success through virtues, success is a shadow you cannot get rid of.”

Brooke Lewis Bellas

Posted on by theciotimes

CIO TIMES, I am honored to have been chosen for your ‘Inspiring Businesswomen’ piece. People often do not conceptualize the level of “business” the Entertainment Industry or a creative business requires. I launched my production company, Philly Chick Pictures, when I moved to Hollywood almost 20 years ago. After making a living acting in New York City just out of college, I did not even realize I had, in some ways, been producing when I would be brought onto a project as an actress. Although I love acting more than anything, I had been inspired to produce in order to create more roles for myself as an actress. I have always been a leader of sorts and have had a keen sense of managing personalities. I was not born into the entertainment business and there was no nepotism in my world, so I felt compelled to build something for myself. I took producing courses and workshops, then dove in as a producer to be able to do what I love the most, and that is to act.

  • What motivates and inspires you as an entrepreneur?

Passion, Purpose, Inspiration, Love, Philanthropy, Goals, and Challenges all motivate me as an entrepreneur, actress, producer, and woman. I feel it is so important to follow your heart, feed your soul, and do what you love, in whatever way possible! Helping and inspiring others is also a huge motivating factor for me. I am a committed philanthropist and motivated to use my notoriety for good in some way. I have performed on Broadway at the August Wilson Theatre and the Palace Theatre to benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS as an AIDS Activist, have been an active force in several charities supporting Breast Cancer Awareness for the Busted Foundation and The Lynn Sage Foundation, Women Empowerment as a Board Certified Life Coach, and I am a Celebrity Ambassador for the Breaking The Chains Foundation. I only hope my work spreads love in some way! And my greatest motivation in anything I do, is to do it with INTEGRITY! Professionally or personally, at the end of the day, integrity is everything to me!

  • How does your company uphold its uniqueness and individuality?

Philly Chick Pictures encourages “Entertainment with an attitude”. From Philadelphia to New York to Los Angeles, Philly Chick Pictures was created to develop independent TV and films, while thinking outside the “Hollywood” box. Again, we are drawn toward projects and partnerships that Empower Women and maintain Integrity!!!

  • Kindly mention some of the notable recognitions and accreditations received by your organisation.

After over 20 years as an actress and producer, I can humbly share that I have received over 100 awards and recognitions. I cherish each one of them, but some of the notable are:

2010- ‘B-Movie Award for Scream Queen of The Year’

2016- ‘Mary Pickford Award’ to “Highlight Women in The Film Arts” Zed Fest

2017- Actors Awards ‘Best Actress In A Drama Award’; ‘Stella Adler Acting Award’ Action On Film International Film Festival; ‘Grace Kelly Gold Actor Award’ West Coast International Film Festival; Los Angeles Film Awards ‘Inspiring Woman in a Film’ Award

2018- Actors Awards ‘Best Actress In An Indie Film Award’; West Coast International Film Festival ‘Legendary Actress’ Jury Award

2019- Inducted into The Carney Board for the Carney Awards Character Actor Hall Of Fame created in honor of character actor icon Art Carney

2020- Honored in the best-selling historical commemorative coffee table book ‘1000 Women In Horror, 1895-2018’; NOVA Fest ‘Best Supporting Actress in a TV Series Award’

2021- Inducted into the Phillytainment ‘PA Celebrity Hall Of Fame’; The Telly Awards TV Award

  • The pandemic turned the tables for every sector of the economy, tell us something about your market and its scope for growth.

I feel like I became an early visionary with Philly Chick Pictures and production. I was one of the first producers to create a model to film an entire streaming web series 100% virtually, and with a seasoned, talented team and cast, I would like to add! I have been acting and producing virtually from my home office ever since.

  • Where do you see your career and organisation in the years to come?

I always aspire to be and do better, but I also work to be in gratitude for where I am now. I hope to see more investors and larger financial investments in Philly Chick Pictures and our projects, as we experienced prior to the financial crisis back in 2008. As a producer, I would like to focus on more inspiring content with a purpose. As an actress, I would love to land another TV series in Hollywood, but also work in New York City a few months out of the year. Last on my professional vision list is to win an Emmy Award!

  • Entrepreneurship is an art, what is your take on that?

I feel we are in a culture where entrepreneurship is more challenging than ever. With technology, the internet, and social media, there is more content coming our way… and a lot of it is free! This requires entrepreneurs to reinvent and get more creative, which is an art form. That said, I cannot emphasize enough what I stated earlier… Art and Entertainment is a serious Business!  I believe many creatives fail at making a living, or sustaining, through their artistic endeavours, because while we were all studying acting, writing, etc… we never bothered to learn show “business”!

Anuradha Shroff -Helping Leaders Re-align their Purpose in Life

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In today’s fast-paced life, it is very easy to get overwhelmed. Many recent pieces of research have pointed out the fact that nearly 70% of people in given surveys feel stuck in their lives, professionally or personally. Whatever profession we may be in, there’s always a pressure to outperform not just others, but ourselves as well. For leaders, the pressure doubles up as they have to not just forge their own way, but also help those who look up to them.

At times like these, when we can’t seem to find a way out, we often look for someone who can guide us. We seek someone who can help us constantly learn so that we can respond to the changing business environment. Someone who will listen to our needs, is competent and can deal with the messiness of strategy work to streamline our professional life.

With over 10 years of experience in strategic planning and developing leadership qualities in the public service and private sector, Anu Shroff has been helping leaders identify their need and provide strategic and bespoke services to help them meet their desired outcome.

Recognizing her Calling

Before she started offering her services to help leaders explore and re-discover themselves, Anu Shroff started her career in the Singapore Public Service in 2000. In 2016, after sessions with her coach and a soul-searching retreat, she decided to follow her passion and resigned to set up her own company, Anu Shroff Pte Ltd. The services she offers are executive coaching, large and small group leadership facilitation, and strategic planning sessions. She can also be booked for keynote speeches at corporate events.

She absolutely loves the work she does as she gets the opportunity to interact with people and help them make a difference in their lives. It also gives her the flexibility to manage work and her 3 kids better.

Anu considers herself a late bloomer as she didn’t always know what she wanted to do. She wasn’t interested in business initially and so took up a Public Service career. “I think connecting to the higher Public Service values resonated with me as I felt that I was contributing to a larger purpose. Getting a job in the Public Service, I began to understand the bureaucracy.

While there were challenges, I learned a lot about the bigger purpose of serving in the Public Service and the satisfaction of doing that.”

Interestingly she started her career in the Public Service thinking that business was not for her. However, now that she is running her own business she sees that we can still set higher purposeful goals for ourselves even as we run a business. That is why she took a huge risk by resigning from a stable job and setting up her own company.

She also attributes much of who she is today to her husband and his support through the years.

What makes her Different

Anu takes a humanistic approach in her coaching instead of having a fixed methodology. She doesn’t offer answers or a “how-to” guide but offers guidance as people explore a journey of inquiry to discover the answers within themselves. “If you are looking to discover aspects of yourself and your world, then this is for you. I believe this is because of my Gestalt background which trained me to be in the “here and now” rather than have a pre-set idea of what is. Clients often tell me that coaching with me helps them get off the “hamster wheel” and take a breath,” she says.

As a workshop facilitator, she exudes energy and passion as she loves interacting with people. She aims to make her workshops engaging, respectful, and practical. As a company owner, she’s always thinking of how businesses can complement one another rather than compete in the market.

And does SHE ever feel stuck?

“As humans, we are constantly seeking the right answers for ourselves. But if we appreciate the beauty of not knowing and being comfortable in our own confusion, we can allow more of life to emerge. So when I feel confused, I pause and take a breath. Notice what is going on in my body and connect with it without any judgment. I ask myself “what does it feel like right now?” I connect back to my core values of calm, respect, learning, gratitude, and honesty. This helps me to take the next step forward. Pause, connect, and feel.”

LeaderSpeak

According to Anu, the three most important qualities a leader should possess are curiosity, humility, and passion for learning. As a leader herself, she believes in getting a solid team and then leaving it to them to work out the details. “I am always available for discussions and brainstorming but they anchor the work to their motivations. I’m so fortunate to have a wonderful team who are the backbone of my business! Lianne Kenny (Bright Virtual Services), Franzika Grobler (Jadeways Solutions), and Grace Yeo are a force to reckon with when it comes to getting things done,” she says.

Her advice for Budding Entrepreneurs:

I think the key thing I have learned is that it boils down to building a reputation for yourself in anything you do.

Even as an employee, it is important to think about your “brand” and how you project yourself. This is something that I only learned many years after starting my career. It has served me well as many of the projects I got after I resigned were through referrals and word-of-mouth. I think we sometimes tend to underestimate the power of networking and making connections with people. Remember that it is not about selling your services but about building relationships and helping people to solve their problems.

The Road Ahead

Covid-19 has shifted business for many companies – especially with the online and virtual space. Even in the traditionally “human touch” sector like coaching and training, we saw a huge shift to online and virtual events. Anu was part of a research team from the Asia Pacific Alliance of Coaches (APAC) where they looked at the future of coaching in 5 years. And definitely, the impact of technology was an important element.

“For me,” says Anu, “ I see it from a creative lens rather than a competitive lens. So I constantly ask myself how can we blend IT solutions with our coaching and training offerings.”

“It doesn’t need to be too complicated as long as it serves the client and enables learning. And I also keep anchoring myself back to my core values so as not to get too carried away with IT solutions. From a creative lens perspective, it’s having both in a wholesome way,” she concludes

ROBERT HANNA -Changing the perception of the legal recruitment industry

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Robert Hanna is a legal recruitment community building genius. He is based in the UK and is the Founder & Managing Director of KC Partners, an innovative world-leading legal talent solutions, and careers firm. His firm specialises in placing qualified lawyers across the UK, Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific & US. He has over a decade of recruitment experience having built and scaled multi-million-pound revenue-generating teams. He is ranked on LinkedIn in the top 1% of recruiters in the world and is also a strategic advisor & investor to Recruitment related & Legal Tech startups.

Apart from being a phenomenal entrepreneur in his field, he is also a high-profile podcaster. He is an active networker and content creator. In 2021, he was named among the LinkedIn Top 100 Rising Stars & Influencers on the platform. He is a regular Speaker and the Host of the Legally Speaking Podcast which sits in the top 2.5% of all podcasts globally. The show removes the bore of the law with inspiring stories and experiences and converts that into educational and entertaining content having hosted guests from around the globe ranging from celebrities, top entrepreneurs, legal tech pioneers, law firm partners, diversity, equity & inclusion advocates, mental health champions, international policy change-makers and lots more.

He is passionate about normalising the conversation when it comes to mental health and promoting more diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. His mission is to disrupt the global recruitment industry and build an inclusive global community where recruiters add more value to their candidates and clients through embracing authentic relationships, Tech & AI, and kindness. 

THE INCEPTION OF HIS CAREER

He started his career in the City of London during the 2008 financial crash. The crash had changed the economy and new faces were rising and new ideas were being accepted. Being surrounded by entrepreneurs who were setting up businesses, his entrepreneurial instincts motivated him to venture into the unknown. Having acquired enough skills and knowledge, he was offered several positions. He was headhunted to join a boutique recruitment firm in the City of London and help scale that business. He thought he was ready to take the plunge and set up his organisation. His passion for being connected to the legal sector stems from his family background as he wished to continue his grandfather’s legacy as a main driving force. His grandfather founded and ran a prominent law firm in the UK in the 1950s.

Robert’s business was founded in 2016, as a challenger brand to the larger recruitment agencies. Today, KC Partners has built up a stellar reputation for helping law firms with key legal fee-earning hires and practising lawyers at all levels with career decisions.

KC Partners continues to provide unrivalled access to the best legal opportunities & highest calibre legal professionals in the market. They specialise in placing Newly Qualified Lawyers, Associates, Senior Associates, Legal Directors & Counsels globally.

They are proud to have a market-leading 99% retention rate of all lawyers placed with their law firm clients as an example of KC’s commitment to long-term relationships, both with clients and candidates.

THE UNIQUENESS OF HIS ENTERPRISE

Whilst recruitment remains at the heart of KC’s day-to-day operations, they do so much more than legal recruitment. KC recognises the need for more value adds on top of their bespoke legal talent solutions services.

They offer law firms & lawyers their world-leading Legally Speaking Podcast – designed to cover a range of expert insights into the legal & wider industries through knowledge sharing & inspirational stories. They actively indulge in Networking & Bespoke Events, Careers Guidance, Newsletters, Vlogs, Market Research, Personal Branding Advice and Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives. They offer CV Reviews & Interview (including Video) Training and Collaborations with High Profile Legal Societies and Wider Philanthropy.

In 2019, KC Partners became the first legal recruitment firm in history to sponsor a high-profile networking event at the UK Supreme Court, which was organised in collaboration with the London Young Lawyers Group (LYLG). KC Partners also co-hosted the landmark 25th Annual Asian Legal Awards, which also celebrated 100 Years of Women in Law.

ADVICE TO MODERN AGE ENTREPRENEURS

Robert is a fearless disruptor; he is prepared to put himself out there to achieve his mission. Robert has a unique set of skills as a recruiter-entrepreneur-investor-podcaster, he advises companies and firms on how to grow, diversify, or consolidate their market share. He advises individuals on career moves, social media & social audio strategy, confidence building, personal branding, and business development. His own company, KC Partners, is a case in point. He has found success by drilling deep into his niche-within-a-niche and developing a right-sized boutique agency which can leave a lasting impact and global domination in the legal industry. Hanna’s Legally Speaking podcast has a global reach and provides the international legal community with topical information and advice.

Robert is an active podcaster. He appears on various platforms and offers his genuine human insight. His podcast is a huge success. He believes that podcasting helps his company stand out. “At the moment, every business needs to be producing quality content to their niche market audiences,” Hanna says. “It’s not enough just to be a reactive service. I think you have to proactively give to your marketplace to build a brand, to be known as thought leaders, and to be seen as people that are doing more and care!”

INTERESTING FACT

Robert believes it is important to share your authentic voice, the ups and downs of business through educational and entertaining storytelling along with showcasing aspects of your personal life. This helps with building community through relatability! On that note, Robert shares lots of stories and content with his partner in crime Otto…his milk chocolate miniature dachshund! 

Posted in men

Michel E. Moravia -Quality Intelligence Profitable Business and Better Life 

Posted on by theciotimes

Quality Intelligence Profitable Business and Better Life 

As consumers, when we purchase or use a product or service, however big or small, its quality is of utmost importance. For only if the quality matches our expectations and is as promised by the provider will we be willing to use it again and again. And at times, the quality of a product or service can be a life-changing experience. Quality is critical across products, markets, and industries. Quality control, as a function of companies, helps them meet the required guidelines at all times to ensure successful production and timely delivery to the end consumer. For life sciences companies the regulations are all the more complex making quality even more crucial.

When Michel E. Moravia started his career, it was more out of his love for biochemical sciences and his perspective that science can help him drive innovation in healthcare. He pursued his first corporate role at Novartis, where he led upstream DNA assessment, optimization, and quantification for a companion diagnostic assay for Fragile X Syndrome. The Novartis Companion Diagnostic business unit launched the new assay in six months with unyielding focus, Quality, and cross-functional collaboration. Nonetheless, the quality department was the center of all critical tasks and the assessors of success since they ensured the product was safe and effective. It then dawned on him that Quality’s role is to reflect the goals of the FDA and other regulatory bodies to ensure safety and public health by mandating that companies function in a compliant and reliable manner. This is when Michel saw Quality as a gateway to give back on a global scale and make a real impact in his community.

Making Quality his Goal

Consequently, Michel became an avid learner of Quality – obtaining many certifications (Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Certified Lead Auditor, Danaher Problem Solving Process Expert, to name a few) and growing in the field through a series of hands-on roles. While continuing to build his experience as a quality leader at SCIEX, a Danaher Company, he decided to further his formal education by pursuing a dual master’s at Boston University (BU), graduating with a Master of Science in Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) concentrating in Health Sector Management.

Michel subsequently pivoted to work for a couple of prominent electronic Quality Management System (e-QMS) software vendors as a Product Leader bringing the new application to the field to help the scientist and engineers, he once worked with at several Fortune 100-Biotech and Medical Device companies. His career trajectory was strong, and he loved what he did, but felt something was missing. Michel saw many gaps in the industry that he knew he could solve – so he decided to launch Quality Means Business (QMB, LLC) to address them.

The mission of QMB is to help companies overcome the hurdles of the FDA and the likes to get drug delivery systems to market. QMB, LLC is a quality consultancy with proprietary technology that provides a sustained competitive advantage in the medical device industry. Ultimately, QMB is a strategic partner that transforms Quality and Regulatory business units from cost centers to profit drivers. The firm’s Quality Intelligence solution, Quality, automates Quality processes, streamlines and improves approval rates of regulatory filings, and enables predictive insights and smart actions that lead to goal-driven decisions, optimizing time-to-value realization.

Facing Challenges along the Path

Defining a new industry comes with challenges that require a growth mindset. Michel feels that he is constantly learning and iterating when it comes to building QMB. In 2020, when QMB was in complete infancy, he applied to the Mass Challenge Health Accelerator with his bright idea but was rejected. “I now understand that I needed more than ideas; I need a complete plan with details on my business problem and overall solution. While defining a new industry, you often have to be creative in coming up with solutions when faced with setbacks. I face challenges with excitement, knowing that each new challenge is a learning opportunity and an occasion to be innovative,” he says.

Another challenge he had to face was when he had to make a strategic decision to undergo organizational restructuring, including bringing on new talent with a specific skill set that would allow him to build a disruptive product and scale the company faster. This decision required much planning as it impacted the team and required revisiting the budget. Finally, Michel decided to cut the C-Suite guaranteed payments, including himself, by 50% to reinvest in building the product. “All in all, I had to weigh the risks and the benefits, and I’m ultimately happy with the decision to invest in the recent reorganization to grow the company and have a more significant impact on the community,” he recalls.

Focusing on R&D

QMB has developed a proprietary solution that enables companies to have smart insights throughout the R&D process, anticipating any potential setback and adjusting accordingly. It allows them to save time and money while developing a quality product in line with FDA and other regulatory requirements or specifications. For example, they ensure strong technical files for a 510 K submission or an NDA by leveraging Real World Evidence and insight from regulatory databases and guidance documents. QMB’s solutions also empower clinical trials by illuminating clear paths to desired endpoints while ensuring patient safety and advocacy.

The Covid Aftermath

Michel rightly says that COVID has disrupted our personal lives and the life sciences industry. With the pandemic, there was a sense of urgency to get much-needed vaccines and treatments to market quickly without compromising patient quality and safety. There was now an even greater need for QMB’s solutions to help clients adapt to this changing landscape. Emerging diseases require large molecule synthesis in biologics, cell gene therapy, and monoclonal antibodies that require comprehensive quality control. The pandemic forced the industry to think outside the box to help clients get their products to market faster and quickly adapt to changing industry standards, regulations, and requirements.

Advising the Young

To the young entrepreneurs, Michel says

“Being an entrepreneur requires sacrifice and relentless pursuit of providing value-added solutions to our communities’ problems. Know your why and build a team that believes in the company’s vision. With the right motivation and support, you can navigate the unpredictable entrepreneurship landscape and build a successful business. Lastly, any budding entrepreneur must embrace a mindset of continuous learning. There is no formal curriculum to become an entrepreneur. Being open-minded to learn and develop your skills to address gaps while building your business will set you apart from other entrepreneurs.”

Creating a workplace for all

Michel’s working style embodies a combination of creativity and discipline with a growth mindset. He believes in having ambitious deadlines without compromising innovation.

One of his proudest accomplishments as CEO of QMB is recruiting a diverse team. “We foster a workplace of inclusion from the top down at QMB. Our C-suite brings in various perspectives, which makes our company stronger. We come from different backgrounds and are leaders in our former industries. Together, there is no obstacle that my team cannot tackle,” says a proud Michel.

Posted in men

Johnny Nash -entrepreneur makes A difference

Posted on by theciotimes

Every entrepreneur makes a profit, but not every entrepreneur makes a difference in the world. We may not realise but sometimes, heroes and leaders walk among us and around us. Johnny Nash is one such leader. A world-class entrepreneur in the recruitment and tech industry, Johnny is seasoned and extremely passionate about what he does. He has over twenty-four years of experience in leading multinationals and boutique firms within the world of recruitment as a Global Headhunter Specialist. He is also well-known and accredited as an Accountability & Careers Coach, in U.K. and internationally. An astoundingly witty and adept individual, Johnny gives his full focus to any project he undertakes and drives it to success.

Johnny is known for continually providing excellent results to his clients, he secures the top 15% of talent for multinational companies transforming (digitally, IT and within the cloud), Fintech’s, Start Up’s, Scale Up’s and SME’s across specialist dedicated sectors, U.K., EMEA & Internationally. Over the years, Johnny has recruited several Mid-Senior & Senior-Executive professionals across Technology, Telecoms, FinTech, Payments and Digital Transformations sectors.

A creative and ambitious individual, Johnny is passionate about startups, technology and FinTech. He believes in the power of Artificial Intelligence and believes that as human beings we must leverage it for the greater, instead of allowing it to dominate our lives.

THE INCEPTION OF HIS JOURNEY

Johnny left the Iran-Iraq war for the United Kingdom with an eye defect and without a word of spoken English. His inability to communicate was always a drawback for him. However, he overcame it with great courage, and since then, he has only moved forward. He turned his weakness into his strength, the ability to read people, their verbals and nonverbals. 

Johnny initially wanted to be a lawyer, but he realized very soon that it was not his calling, and he decided to venture into the world of recruitment & careers, where he could help people to pursue their passions and secure a good life for their family. He was able to provide people with a means to sustain their living by doing what they loved.

His distinct yet unique background gave him the motivation and the drive to enter the human resources sector and make a difference in people’s lives, no matter where they were from or who they were.

HIS ULTIMATE SOURCE OF INSPIRATIO

Johnny believes that to have a meaningful life, an entrepreneur must have three things- worthy and meaningful relationships, a relevant career that genuinely solves people’s problems and the ability to make a difference. Johnny entered the world of business in the field of recruitment and careers with those three key factors at the cornerstone, which makes him what he is today.

VISION OF HIS ORGANIZATION

Statistics suggest that 85% of people are unhappy in their jobs. Johnny founded FORTE ICT (Recruitment Headhunting Company) with that in mind. He wanted to create a platform that welcomed talent and uplifted skills so that they could be effectively allocated to the people who genuinely required them. He wanted people to be happy when they thought of work. He believes that if one is happy doing what they do, it won’t seem like work.

His company. Johnny Nash Coach (Coaching Company) has been created to maximize both the professional and personal lives of people, and generate value out of the knowledge that the candidates have acquired over the years. Johnny believes that many people can talk a good game, but it is the actions that define who we are. Johnny Nash Coaching is about having no regrets, no what-ifs, and no sorrow.

Recruitment & Careers club is the largest Social audio club of its kind. It has been created around the ethos of the community. Education, information, entertainment and real impact. He and his company undertake A-Z of Recruitment & Careers areas, business, tech and the workplace, as well as psychology at work, in giving access to people all over the world to being truly empowered and inspired. 

He believes that everybody has talent, but people don’t and can’t work to their full potential because of three major reasons. Firstly, most people are not able to recognize their talent, they don’t optimize and innovate. And thirdly and most importantly, fear. Recruitment & Careers Club is about being the change and making the change. Nothing changes, if nothing changes. They believe that risk is the essence of life and there if we can’t bet on ourselves, then we can’t count on anything else. 

CHOOSING THE CORRECT EMPLOYEE

Being in the recruitment business, Johnny recognizes the importance of choosing the correct employee for an organization. He believes that it is about making the right choices for both clients and candidates alike. According to him, the three most important qualities in the recruitment selection process include a cultural fit, the best companies in the world do not compromise on their culture and values, a good and positive mindset, without the right mindset in place then achievement and success are not possible and most importantly, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

When selecting the right candidate for his organisation or client partners, Johnny feels the most crucial factor to consider is job competency, which is having the skills to do the job, personality match within the team and culture, and the integrity and honesty of the employee. These are the primary fundamentals that guide him in choosing the correct fit for an organization. He urges other companies to do the same.

RECOGNITIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Accredited to his undeniable excellence and devotion to his field, Johnny was recognized among the top 1% of global headhunters by LinkedIn. Over the years, he has placed over 3,000 candidates globally and currently runs the largest Recruitment & Careers Club on Social Audio.

A RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC

The pandemic has been a huge reset, not only for the recruitment and human resource sector but for all sectors of the global economy, which has prompted the “great resignation”. With unemployment rates still raging in most parts of the world, the question of finding a stable income source and work is a cause of concern for many. People, post-pandemic, want more out of their careers, want better work-life balance, careers recognition, mission, learning & development opportunities and they want more from life.  

With that, all in mind, his job as a Headhunter, Careers SME, Coach and Community builder is to facilitate and create as well as implement work opportunities into reality. This is for the candidates that they place to companies, for their coaching clients and their personal development and as an employee with their staff.

Johnny and the team have been at the forefront in restoring financial security and getting people into the right careers more than ever before. They believe there is a difference between a job and a career, and they place people into careers.

HIS INSIGHT ON THE MARKET IN THE COMING YEARS

Johnny believes that the world is in a war for talent within the world of tech. 70% of people are looking to make a move to the U.K. and change their employment situation. The world is currently facing challenges when it comes to rebuilding the economy post-pandemic and is in the era of the micro-entrepreneur. Regardless, everyone but everyone has a career.

With the rise of AI & automation, 40% of all jobs according to studies look to be replaced in the next five to seven years. 85% of all new jobs have not been invented yet.

He advises all his candidates and coaching clients that the best investment one can make is in themselves. A candidate looking for an opportunity to work should continually upgrade themselves, their skills, their mindset, everything like we upgrade our phones. By doing this, each candidate is best equipped to navigate the fourth industrial revolution the world is currently undergoing.

HIS ADVICE TO BUDDING ENTREPRENEURS IN THE RECRUITMENT FIELD

The biggest problem with the new generation is that they are unaware of what they want to do. They are running after the ideals of making money, but are not sure how they want to do it. Johnny believes that the most important thing to know is to recognize what they are passionate about and what they want to do.

Secondly, he advises people not to overcomplicate things. If you overcomplicate, especially as an entrepreneur, you then will talk yourself out of it and lose out on a possible opportunity.

Thirdly, there is no such thing as perfection or the absolute right time. Johnny believes in this great saying: “Done is better than perfect, as perfect never gets done”. Stop delaying, start doing.

Finally, he urges modern entrepreneurs to never give up. Every business entails fear, disappointments, bumps along the way and if you can have what can be referred to as a “bouncy bum”, the ability to get back up when you are done, Johnny believes that you are on your way to success. Having this quality can change your life, and convert dreams into reality.

Jeff LoCastro, Founder/CEO @ Neener Analytics

Posted on by theciotimes

Through this questionnaire, our aim is to accentuate your organisation, the services/products you offer, the problems you solve for your consumers, your contributions to the society, and your strengths in the national and international markets. We are looking for crisp and perspicacious answers between 900-1200 words for the same.

  • Kindly enlighten us about the inception story of your business.

I lived in China for two years scaling one of my US businesses there. About 6-months before coming home, I made a list of the first things I had to do when I returned. As my California Driver’s License had expired while I was out of the country, that was the first thing on my list. And I wondered why that was? How had that made #1. I still knew how to drive. But it was #1 because it was no longer valid as an ID. That made no sense. I’m still me. So, I was only “valid” if the California Department of Motor Vehicles said I was? That’s insane. I thought, “how did my grandparents’ function without walking around with ID’s?” Further, “How was he able to get a loan,” or whatever, “without a wallet full of government ID’s or even a credit score?”  He was able to do it because his banker, for example could say, “I know you!” The banker knew my grandfather’s story.

And where is that story being told? Social Media. Neener Analytics was born.

  • What are the various products/services offered by your enterprise, and how are they unique or different from the existing products in the market?

We look at it this way: “What if you could sit each customer down with a psychologist and ask them, “are you really going to pay us back?”  Because that’s the question, right? The question is not CAN they, the question is WILL they.

What we’ve developed is a regulatory compliant 1-click cognitive AI-based 100% consumer opt-in financial risk decisioning technology using Human-Data Science™.  Using Cognitive AI, Neener Analytics has cracked the code on Small Data to recapture on average 22% of a lender’s rejections without increasing the lender’s current risk threshold. This is cognitive AI, not machine learning. Huge difference.

Better decisioning is not a “data” problem. It’s a “Human” problem. Lenders don’t want to know if the consumer’s “data” is going to pay them back . . .they want to know if the consumer themselves is going to. Which is why we have pioneered Human-Data and created the branch called Human Data Science™

We’ve got 2 product lines Click-based & Chat-based. 5 result products: Default Risk, Transactor-Revolver, Risk Alignment, Veracity, Resiliency. ARIA (our AI) produces binary outcomes, just like human beings make decisions about other human beings. All delivered in a Json. Our solution takes <15mins to implement, can be integrated with any core, and if used ONLY at Rejection Recapture no core integration is needed. We are in 11 countries, and average 87% opt-in rate (99.98% @ rejection). Consumers want this.

We are Small Data, not big data. We’ve cracked the code here and developed the most advanced AI & Deep Learning to crack the code on Small Data. Everyone to this point have been using Big Data: aggregations and pools of affinity to create correlations masquerading as an “individual” prediction. Our AI & Deep Learning creates and individual matrix on each consumer that manifests in binary Outcomes, not scores or behaviors.

Our system is making decisions about the applicant the exactly the way humans make decision about other human beings. Not based on what they talk about (big data), but rather how they talk about those things (small data). Exactly, like humans… except better, with higher accuracy and less bias.

  • In a highly consumer-oriented market, how much importance do you pay to quality and authenticity?

We are always focused on that. This business didn’t start as a great way for banks to make more money.  It started because 88% of global consumers are thin-file, no-file and credit challenged. 88% globally. These are the invisible consumers; invisible not because they are high risk, but rather because current risk assessment systems simply don’t work for them. This is a massive problem. I contend that this is the biggest problem in the world. You cannot build a middle class or improve the standard of living for a society or individual without access to financial products and services. And you cannot deliver that access if the risk of the engagement cannot be assessed.

  • According to you, what are the most important qualities an entrepreneur should possess?
  • Share the Vision: Great entrepreneurs have a way of getting great people excited about the future; the ability to inspire.
  • Create a Mirror: Always make sure the team sees that you are willing to give as much as you demand from them.
  • Chart the Path: Great entrepreneurs can see the path before them and can show their team that it’s real. Pretty important: A vision with no path is just a fantasy.
  • Empower Execution: Great entrepreneurs allow great people to get things done. Sounds simple to say, but bad entrepreneurs are control freaks. Great entrepreneurs question, and course-correct
  • Do you believe there is a winning formula for becoming a successful entrepreneur? What is yours?

Think differently – constantly. Attack the status quo – daily. Only then you will make room for new ideas and better ways to do things; only then you move beyond ‘nuance’ and into full fledge disruption.

One of the things that has made Silicon Valley so success is that failure is encouraged.  That sounds odd to some, but you don’t advance without lots of mistakes. When a start-up goes out for venture funding, the 2 top questions the investor wants to know are 1) tell me all the good stuff that is happening, and 2) tell me about all the mistakes you have made.  They WANT you to have made mistakes . . .with your own money, not theirs.  If you tell them you haven’t made any mistakes . . . they will show you the door right away.

So, living in an where failure is embraced as a potential outcome moves things forward. That doesn’t mean we hope for it, it means that the fear of failure isn’t an obstacle because in any technological advancement, a lot of failures occur. And, when people aren’t afraid to fail, things can move very quickly.

If you are only focused on “winning”, you are not focused on the things it takes to win.

  • Mention some awards and recognitions received by your company.

BEST OF SHOW: 2017 Finovate Silicon Valley

https://finovate.com/videos/finovatespring-2017-neener-analytics/embed/#?secret=1BtoNETn7L

BEST OF SHOW: 2019 Finovate Silicon Valley

https://finovate.com/videos/finovatespring-2019-neener-analytics/embed/#?secret=rovHLl5MVd

#1 IN WORLD FINANCIAL INCLUSION:  2019 Finovate Global Awards 

https://finovate.com/drumroll-finovate-awards-winners-announced/embed/#?secret=XmMRE9tjNK

FINALIST: TOP 8 AI IN THE WORLD: 2019 Finovate Global Awards 

https://finovate.com/finalists-announced-for-the-first-ever-finovate-awards/embed/#?secret=pHRlwPm6mW

#1 RISING STAR AWARD:  2019 India Fintech Awards

https://www.expresscomputer.in/news/india-fintech-forum-announces-india-fintech-awards-ifta-2019/44263/embed/#?secret=XVIM9RBRg1

2021 Fintech Americas Conference: Silver Award, FINANCIAL INCLUSION (For our partnership with Invex Banco, Mexico)

Winners

https://www.fintechamericas.co/winners/embed/#?secret=J5DoG23mkN
  • The market is extremely volatile, what is the current scenario of the industry you are involved in? Where do you think we are heading towards as an economy?

The global economy fluctuates indeed, but only certain sectors should be considered volatile. 2020 was an outlier. A slow-down that was man-made instead of market made. That’s never happened before. That decision made the entire economy appear volatile because of the overt uncertainty it injected. As a result, we had lenders just stop lending. It was crazy stuff. But around October, November 2020 they were all ready to get back to it because they collectively understood, as I said, this was not a market cycle but rather an overt decision. We are really starting to see that uncertainty lifting and everyone getting back to business as usual, as they should.

  • Where do you see your enterprise in the next ten years?

We are really pioneering the idea that the consumer is their own data. And the consumer as their own source of data is the future of all consumer engagement. We are currently in 11 countries, and I see us owning specific market regions in the next 10 years. We’ve already built out 2 product lines, third one coming in Q4/2021 each delivering 5 decisioning products and are on track for a new line each of the next 5-years while continuing to expand our decisioning capabilities.

  • What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?

I could write an entire book on this question.

Building and scaling a company from only an idea will be the most difficult thing you will ever do in your life. And it will also be the most professionally satisfying. It’s not a hobby, and its not a job. It’s a passion. You can’t play-act it. You have to live it. And you should be ready to sacrifice for it. I always say that if you are in a personal relationship at the time, a successful entrepreneur should always have a loving partner at home that also understands the sacrifice. If that person at home is a source of angst (because of the consuming nature of the endeavor) . . . the business OR the relationship will fail.

Posted in men

Joseph Chan -Founder and CEO – AsiaPay Group 

Posted on by theciotimes

The CIO Times interviews Joseph Chan – Founder and CEO – AsiaPay Group 

  • Kindly enlighten us about the inception story of your business.

I spearheaded AsiaPay with a sole drive of bringing safe and convenient payments in different Asian markets and industries. My visionary takes on electronic payments has started as a Hong Kong -based firm back in 2000 and is now operating worldwide.

Before building my mark on the industry, I always aim towards delivering the consumers their desired payment methods and merchants’ integrated settlements, which stands as key factors why AsiaPay is built. The award-winning payment solutions that I started, eyes for the future generation’s potential for card and mobile-based financial settlements.

  • What are the various products/services offered by your enterprise, and how are they unique or different from the existing products in the market?
  • AsiaPay provides multi-payment methods ranging from one-stop comprehensive credit and debit cards, eBanking, QR payments, and P.O.S. It also comes with a multi-currency payment feature that accepts payments from cross-border countries. AsiaPay also runs a multi-channel platform that allows convenient payment transactions from any web-connected device. AsiaPay enables merchants to securely accept the most popular digital payment methods from credit cards, internet banking, and more on a single platform.
  • Award-winning one stop payment management (Single platform for multi-card, multi- currency, mutli-acquirier processing and settlement controls)
    • Comprehensive payment coverage (Widest range of credit, debit payment options and acquirers, covering 100+ banks and payment brands)
    • Multiple Payment Channel Capability
    • Comprehensive Risk and Anti-Fraud controls (PCIDSS compliant since 2006, with built-in anti-fraud and risk management system)
    • Robust and Certified Technology (3-D Secure and Digital Wallet Vendor for Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Discover Global Network and UnionPay in Asia-Pacific)
    • Reliable and High Availability + 99. 9%
    • Flexible and Highly Customisable
    • Extendable and Expandable
    • Proven Track Record and Solid Industry Expertise
    • Broadest World-class Enterprise Service in 13 operative offices in Asia-Pacific
  • In a highly consumer-oriented marketed, how much importance do you pay to quality and authenticity?
  • AsiaPay values every merchant as a partner to support their business growth in financial terms. As part of our goal to innovate, we newly launched as:
  • SDK to facilitate a secure interface from merchants’ mobile APP to our gateway.it supports in-app payments for iOS and Android operating systems.
  • AsiaPay AppPay serves as a convenient APP tool to merchants that can offer seamless ePayment to their customers by completing their ePurchases on the go via mobile devices. generate the payment links or QR codes and share with your consumers and get paid. Merchants can maximize their business productivity and generate more sales and profitability.
  • Retailers can strongly initiate an eWallet payment such as SmartPOS that can drive your in-store sales performance, powered with valued added functionalities just like what AsiaPay has to offer.
  • Communication, AsiaPay provides guideline & Training to Merchants on how to use our payment platform & system. meantime organizes Training Workshops for merchants regularly.
  • Convenient, we newly launched Revamped Merchant Admin Portal, this update is part of a larger effort to modernize and simplify the administration experience for our valued clients.
  • According to you, what are the most important qualities an entrepreneur should possess?
  • Innovator
  • Builder
  • Communicator
  • Do you believe there is a winning formula for becoming a successful entrepreneur? What is yours?
  • Embrace changes and technological evolution. Effectively implement the vision with a like-minded professional team;
  • Be aggressive and stay agile;
  • A clear vision of what you want to achieve
  • Sustainable development: an important driver of enterprise growth
  • The internal driving force of the enterprise: market competition, promote the enterprise to continue to innovate, improve technology and management, improve the core competitiveness of the enterprise
  • external driving force: implementation of the national development strategy, the scientific concept of development requires the implementation of innovation-driven strategy, strengthen scientific and technological innovation
  • Mention some awards and recognitions received by your company.
  • Best Digital Payment Solution Provider Singapore 2020 by Finance Derivative
  • FinTech Awards 2020 in Corporate / Merchant Payments Initiative – Outstanding Online Digital Payment Solution by etnet, 2021
  • The 10 Most Disruptive Tech Entrepreneurs to Look for in 2020 by Mirror Review
  • Stars of China 2020 – Innovation in Payments by Global Finance
  • Retail Innovation Award 2020 by Hong Kong Retail Technology Industry Association Ltd
  • Best Payment Solution Provider Asia Pacific 2020 by Global Banking & Finance Review
  • FT: High-Growth Companies in Asia-Pacific by The Financial Times
  • The market is extremely volatile, what is the current scenario of the industry you are involved in? Where do you think we are heading towards as an economy?

Digital transformation is constantly upgrading. AsiaPay is on the move toward digital innovation and disruption that can change the way we live and do business for the better. In Covid-19, a consumer using digital payment more, our company do cope with this opportunity

  • Expand and focus more on other “distribution channels”
  • Retailers with more aggressive online sales home delivery/ consumables
  • Heavier sales and promotion activities on social media
  • We launched Retail Payment AsiaPay AppPay
  • Value-added Payment Solutions
  • Mobile Payment: Mobile in-app SDK
  • Comprehensive data Analytical tools for digital merchants.
  • Keeping one eye on the road ahead could allow us to exit the crisis with a more customer-focused, efficient, and resilient payments industry

At AsiaPay we

  • strive our best effort to take advantage of the latest digital payment and commerce technologies to generate new values and opportunities to banks and merchants in Asia, that enhance customer experience, business growth, and competitive edge especially under the current uncertain times.
  • We create Business innovation to provide a good customer experience.
  • Digital currencies have the potential to extend the value of digital payments to more customers
  • We want to help shape and support the role that digital currencies will play in the future of currencies
  • Where do you see your enterprise in the next ten years?

Clear Strategic direction

we strive to provide secure, integrated, and most comprehensive payment processing services for businesses, charities, and associations, and payment solutions blending the latest technologies for the financial / banking industries that readily enhance one’s quality of life and maximize business opportunities, efficiency, and productivity.

To become a trustful payment service provider, we have communicated and encouraged R&D colleagues to continuously refine and upgrade our payment products over time, enhance our security technology, introduce new products according to customer’s requirements and needs.

What advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?

-Demonstrates perseverance in the face of adversity and overcoming obstacles.

-Demonstrates strong leadership skills and an unflinching desire and determination to be successful

-Balance the concepts of effectiveness and efficiency of business plans.

-Be open to learn from others and gain experience.

-Show the capacity to be an independent thinker and to take on and manage risks in the face of uncertainty.

-Always have a mindset that adjusts to the constantly changing demands of this modern generation.

Posted in men

Dr. Mahesh Nair – Empowering Change Agents for a Better World

Posted on by theciotimes

“You don’t have to be a hero to accomplish great things – to compete. You can just be an ordinary chap, sufficiently motivated to reach challenging goals.” – Sir Edmund Hillary.

More often than not, the heroes in our lives don’t wear a cape. Though we do think some of them deserve it, at least an invisible one! They roam around us as common people only showing their heroic side when the moment arrives. And once done, they like to slip back into oblivion. They can be anyone, parents, friends, and sometimes, even complete strangers. They become the reason we hope for help, restoring our faith in humanity and human values.

What makes these individuals real heroes is that they serve humanity, not for their own interest but for the greater good. They are self-motivated and often start alone on their path of service. But they are also keen to pass on the baton and create more heroes out of common people. In 2007, when Dr. Mahesh Parameswaran Nair started his career as an IT Engineer in a leading MNC, he found a lacuna in his otherwise exciting routine. He noticed a regular rhythm to his life which revolved only around the electronic hum of computers and gadgets. He badly wanted to try something different in parallel which could yield him more happiness, positive vibes, emotional gratification, and possibly could change someone’s life on a positive note. 

Realizing that it is not just a passing feeling and that he needs to back his emotions, with action, Dr. Mahesh set out to start his NGO HOPE (Hold On Pain Ends). His NGO aims at working for the welfare of the underprivileged, raises relevant social issues, and also cares for nature, birds, and animals. Thus began his Social Entrepreneurship journey in parallel with his IT career. Since then, his social experiences have been widely shared with the youth. He also took up motivational speaking and has mentored many school/college-going students. 

Changing the mindset

Dr. Mahesh, through his work, aims to create change agents across the globe who could dedicate their time, energy, or resources towards Nation Building Process. He considers the youth to be the future of the nation. He firmly believes that the creation of opportunities in India is necessary to retain India’s talented youth. Once they are here, they get to see the various facets of society. This will help inspire them towards projects or activities which could not only bring out their hidden potentials but also empower the less privileged categories of society. Showcasing the issues prevalent in society is necessary to bring them to the mainstream and be acted upon. 

Creating Long-Term Solutions

Dr. Mahesh is aware that no matter what, people will eventually get bored off with a particular routine. So Innovations and Experimentations are required for overall sustainability. The working of an NGO is no exception to it. For instance, when they were cleaning Vellayani Lake, one of the freshwater drinking resources in Thiruvananthapuram district, the problem was more than what was apparent. The increase in the number of water hyacinths was creating drinking water scarcity and affecting fishing. His team started experimenting with the roots of water hyacinth and started producing eco-friendly sanitary pads. This not only helped them avoid the dumping of plastics in nature but also created job opportunities for single mothers, the elderly, and differently abled ladies. 

They reduced food unavailability issues through Community Refrigerator where excess food from homes or family get-togethers could be placed to feed hungry homeless people. They have also developed a mobile application named “KINDSERV” to convert all humanitarian offline services to online on a single fingertip click.

Spreading HOPE

Dr. Mahesh has always focused on creating a unique identity for HOPE. His primary focus on client satisfaction and trust has led HOPE to develop into an NGO that clients relate with and choose for humanitarian projects. The team always hits schools and colleges to build new networks. Adaptation and flexibility have been two must-have qualities required to bring everyone under a common umbrella. Opinions do vary from person to person in the team as is in every sector, but being the final decision maker Dr. Mahesh has always been cautious. He tends to think and have Plan B and Plan C also in place before executing Plan A. Foreseeing the risk factors (especially after the Pandemic) has been important for proper planning and execution.

Through his work and his style of working, he has always wanted to pass a message to his team, students, social media followers, or aspiring young Social Entrepreneurs that if a normal person like him could change someone’s life or bring a social impact, we all could collectively bring a huge positive social impact. “There is a leader in each amongst us. The platform is open and is all yours. The quality of work done was more important for me than the number of people involved. Many people aspire to do something good but always halt as they don’t know the answers for many of the questions like how, why, when, where, and what to? Being a mentor, guiding them to these answers, and showing them the right direction was my only responsibility. Creating independent change leaders across the country for a better India was my primary happiness. I believe the word “Charity” itself needs to be rephrased to “Social Responsibility”. I was always in search of fresh minds and young legs who could explore this platform and yield the best outputs. Self-improvisation and learning was always a part and parcel of this Journey and am still trying to improvise,” says Dr. Mahesh.

The pandemic and its lessons

Being a Software Engineer, Dr. Mahesh was always keen to brainstorm and do innovations, research, and add professionalism to the works or Projects he implemented through HOPE. This Pandemic era had a huge bad impact on many sectors worldwide but created new opportunities too.  It was during the pandemic that the team thought of taking up their services online. Individual donors or Institutions could connect with needy beneficiaries from anywhere in India and at any time for fulfilling blood, food, dress, book, toy, or various other requirements by using a mobile application. “We speak of Digital India and services too need to be digitalized in various sectors especially in rural and tribal areas also. Various social media platforms available today make it easy to connect with like-minded people, Entrepreneurs, Investors, Corporates or Volunteers across the globe,” adds Dr. Mahesh.

Message for Budding Entrepreneurs:

To all young entrepreneurs who wish to kick start – Opportunities never knock on your door. Rather rise, have short-term plans/milestones, and keep progressing towards your aim. If you don’t have an aim, have it first. Ask yourself. Know your boundaries. You may progress slow or may fall. But never stop. Learn from your failures. You can’t do things satisfying everyone. Feed your hunger, passion, and soul. Have answers to how, why, when, and where before actioning. Improvise, Learn and Innovate each year. Upgrade your skills and win trust. It’s not going to be easy. But make it look simple. Mark your presence and activities on social media platforms and indulge the public and institutions. You don’t have to search for opportunities. Be a sugar so that ants would surround you in large numbers. Never postpone good things because the time which has passed away Never returns. Be productive every second. You become what you think and act. Best wishes.

The road ahead

Dr. Mahesh has brought HOPE to its current stage through his passion, hard work, commitment, and dedication. He has been transparent in his working style and in constant search for new opportunities or innovations to bring a difference to the NGO and/or its deliverables. Going ahead, he wishes to create like-minded change agents across the globe who could devote their time and energy to uplifting the underprivileged and bringing a positive impact on any social issues. He dreams of a world free of any NGOs or Charity Organizations and everyone is made independent and self-sustainable. It’s each and everyone’s social responsibility to Emerge, Empower and Evolve for a better nation. “I dream of a developed India and see more exports happening from India than imports. I dream of an India where foreigners would love to come, earn, settle and invest. We are rich in natural resources, cultural heritage, and diversities in art, culture, etc still are unaware of how to use this efficiently for better output. Corona and Drastic climate changes are a huge threat or could take away from us the real pace or momentum. The regulations set by WHO or Government could affect the progress but being a service providing NGO we are bound to accept these challenges,” concludes Dr. Mahesh.

Accolades:

  • 2022 Inspiring Indian by Book of Records.
  • 2021 India Book of Records Holder for feeding maximum homeless across streets of India
  • 2021 Dettol India COVID Protector Title
  • 2021 Social Entrepreneurship Excellence Award from Smt Chinchu Rani, Honorable Minister of Diary, Government of Kerala.
  • 2021 Social Service Award by DLSA (District Legal Services Authority) Kasargod, for the upliftment or empowering works towards SC/ST people.
  • 2020 India Star Independent Award for

Philanthropy and Services

  • 2020 Shortlisted by Better India amongst top 6 Indians for COVID WARRIOR title
  • 2020 Man of Excellence Award by IAF
  • 2020 ICF Humanitarian Award from Shri. Pradeep Tamta. (Member of Parliament Rajya Sabha)
  • 2020 India Star Award for Philanthropy and Services
  • 2019 SevaKendram Award for Humanitarian

works

  • 2019 Art of Living Sevaretna Award
  • 2019 Indian Icon Award from Bollywood Actress Dia Mirza
  • 2018 TNF Indian Icon Award for Charity
  • 2017 Nirbhaya Debating Society Youth Icon

Award from Dr. Shashi Tharoor Member of Parliament

  • 2016 Best NGO Award for HOPE by Padmashree Jayaram

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