We recently had the privilege of interviewing Muhammad Ali , Co-founder and CEO of Cyberwaze. The journey of Mohammad from leaving his job with a leading position to starting his venture is an inspiration to many. In this interview, Muhammad Ali shares his journey with us, the risks he faces in his company, innovative approaches, and the role of networking and mentorship in his journey.
Cyberwaze is a cyber security consultancy firm offering services to various markets to create a secure digital future. Muhammad Ali ‘s insights on surviving and succeeding as an entrepreneur, continuous learning, having the right talent in the team, and factors that can be helpful for professional growth offer valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and young professionals.
Beginnings First
We started the interview by asking, “Can you share key milestones and turning points in your journey as an industry leader or entrepreneur?”
Muhammad Ali replied, “There is no secret to becoming a successful entrepreneur. The most essential things in this process are practical and efficient communication, consistency, and intense focus. Utilization of emotional intelligence, a willingness to learn, and being adaptable to a sound business plan also played a crucial role in my journey. And, of course, as it is said, your Net Worth is your Network, so having positive and influential people around makes a huge difference.
One of my most significant professional turning points was when I left my job at Johns Hopkins Saudi Aramco, where I was associated as the Head of Network Infrastructure with 15+ years of experience in the Technology industry and working in the biggest multinational companies in the world. This experience gave me enough confidence to start something of my own.”
Muhammad Ali added, “During the initial phase of my startup, our expanding staff neatly dealt with brand-new business problems every day from scratch, despite being unfamiliar with them. This made me realize that being an expert in something is not a prerequisite to making a difference. Sometimes, we must do things outside the box and let ourselves swim in deep water to learn and experience the pain. As I always say, “If you need to go to heaven, you have to die first.”
Secured Digital Future
We were intrigued to learn the inspiring forces behind the advent of Muhammad Ali ‘s venture. So, we asked, “What inspired you to start your own company or venture in this industry?”
Muhammad Ali shared, “I was motivated to launch my own business in the cybersecurity sector by several elements that I believe are essential in the current digital world. Firstly, with the rising frequency of cyberattacks, there is an urgent need for reliable cybersecurity consultancy and solutions that can prevent and solve these issues.
Also, with the rapid growth of IoT devices, cloud computing, and digital footprints, I saw a chance to innovate and offer thorough cybersecurity services that can adjust to this changing environment. Also, the freedom to create a vision and assemble a team of people who were equally passionate about protecting digital environments pushed me to be an entrepreneur. We could develop ground-breaking solutions to successfully counter new challenges by encouraging a climate of creativity and ongoing learning.
“Finally, what motivated me was the desire to help create a secure digital future. I considered a business that offered cybersecurity services and informed customers and the public about security threats and best practices. What keeps me motivated daily is the thought of assisting businesses in safeguarding their assets and people in protecting their digital life.” Mohammad Ali added.
Fostering Innovation
We further asked, “How do you foster Innovation within your company? Can you provide an example of a successful innovation initiative?”
Muhammad Ali shared, “Innovation keeps your business attractive and competitive and attracts new customers. To keep up with rapidly evolving dangers, companies must encourage Innovation, especially in the cybersecurity sector. Here are some tactics I use to promote creativity within my company.
I create an environment in my organization that values Innovation, curiosity, and a willingness to try new things. Also, I establish a work atmosphere where staff members are encouraged to make fresh suggestions and take calculated risks. I promote a culture of open communication with and among employees to ensure they can freely express their ideas, opinions, and comments. And continuous learning and employee recognition are the critical elements alongside solid leadership, which is the key.”
Attracting The Right Talent
Having the right talent in the team ensures the success of any business. We asked, “How do you attract and retain top talent in your organization?”
“Attracting and retaining top talent in any organization, especially in the competitive field of cybersecurity, requires a strategic and people-centric approach. In today’s world, virtual service and outsourcing augmented staff models and retainer-based services where you pay as you need are popular. We also applied a similar concept to our employees.
For instance, if we need financial and legal services, we will use industry experts in specific fields to have them as on-demand or virtual services. It would be best to optimize the cost when you have your own business, specifically a startup. Hiring permanent staff for all sectors is an overhead that needs to be minimized. In the cyber security field, the real challenge in the market is a shortage of skill sets because if you train the professionals, they leave you soon since their demand is relatively high in the industry.” Mohammad shared.
Professional Growth
To learn more about the essential roles of networking and MentorshipMentorship in Muhammad Ali ‘s career journey, we asked, “How important has mentorship and networking been in your professional journey?”
Muhammad Ali replied, “MentorshipMentorship and networking play pivotal roles in professional growth and success. I was lucky enough throughout my career. I was surrounded by senior people who did my mentorships. My Co-founders are more experienced and senior than me in the field, which was quite helpful.
When I came to Dubai to start my startup, I struggled to have connections in the initial six months, but I was finding myself with the same circle of people. Eventually, I started to do extensive business development from my side and registered myself in many business networking events in UAE.”
Muhammad Ali continued, “I attend all these business events as I believe that it is a part of your job, and you have to be there to talk to them, make them understand your business, and share your business card and profile. I experienced that when you meet people, you must first develop a personal relationship with them and earn their trust; help them by giving referrals, which will come back as wonders for you. Gradually, it will become an ecosystem that will help your business and personal life. Networking is of utmost help to understand other businesses.”
Mitigating Risks
Risks and challenges are an inevitable part of any business. To learn how Muhammad Ali tackles these risks, we asked, “How do you assess and mitigate risks in your business?”
Muhammad Ali shared, “It’s alright to take a risk as long as it’s calculated. A lot of entrepreneurs take on risk for the sake of risk. You need to ensure you know your odds; the only way to do that is through proper analysis.
Practical risk assessment and mitigation are essential for business success. By adopting a structured approach, embracing a risk-aware culture, and regularly reviewing and adjusting strategies, businesses can navigate the complex landscape of risks and position themselves for resilience and growth. Remember that risk management is not a one-time task but an ongoing process that evolves with your business and its environment.”
Long-Term Plans We Asked Mohammad
We were curious to learn what approaches and goals Muhammad Ali would adopt for his company to ensure its sustainable success. So, we asked, “What are your long-term goals for your company? How do you plan to remain competitive in the evolving business landscape?”
“In an ever-evolving business landscape, having a clear set of long-term goals is crucial for success. As our company looks ahead, we are committed to a vision encompassing growth, Innovation, sustainability, and adaptability.
The most important thing for being a cyber security system integrator is that we will seek strategic partnerships that complement our strengths, open new markets, and enhance our offerings. Moreover, listening to our customers is paramount. We will continuously engage with them, gather feedback, and tailor our offerings to meet their evolving needs, focusing on a customer-centric approach.” Mohammad replied.
Adapting To The Industry Shifts
To learn more about how Mohammad ensures his company stays updated with all the latest industrial shifts, we asked, “How do you adapt your business strategy to capitalize on emerging opportunities and industry shifts?”
Muhammad Ali replied, “To stay competitive in the long term, it is essential to adapt the business strategy to capitalize on emerging opportunities and industry shifts. Another crucial aspect is embracing digital technologies and trends such as automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics to streamline operations and create new value propositions. Developing a clear communication plan for internal and external stakeholders is the key, while listening to customer feedback and adapting your products, services, and business processes based on customer needs and preferences is also important.”
Advice To Beginners. we asked Muhammad Ali
Our last question was, “What advice would you give aspiring entrepreneurs in this industry? What key lessons have you learned along the way?”
“The entrepreneurial journey is filled with struggles, challenges, and stress. It is hard to achieve something big, and the chances of failure are prominent. Sometimes, you will doubt your choices and question about following the right path. In this situation, some of the critical advice I can offer from my entrepreneurship journey is that the cybersecurity landscape is constantly evolving.
Stay committed to continuous learning. Invest in certifications, attend training, and keep up with industry news and trends. Besides, networking is also crucial in the cybersecurity industry. Attend industry conferences, join professional organizations, and build relationships with other professionals, mentors, and potential clients. Entrepreneurship is a continuous learning journey. Stay curious, seek knowledge, and adapt to new information and insights. Finally, surround yourself with a talented and diverse team. Remember, no entrepreneur succeeds in isolation.” Mohammad concluded.
Connect with Muhammad Ali on LinkedIn.
Find Cyberwaze on LinkedIn or visit their website.
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