Top 10 Pioneering CEOs to Follow in 2021 July2021

Editor’s Desk

Taking Responsibility of a Demanding Role

Undeniably,leadinganorganizationisnotasimple

feat.Everyleaderhastogothroughalotofhurdles toreachthefinishline.Butonepeerlessrolethatis regardedasthemostpowerfulandsought-aftertitleisthat ofaCEO.

ACEOisapersonwhoisinvolvedinsolvingthemajority ofproblemsfortheorganization,employees,andclients.It won’tbesurprisingtoknowthataCEO'sdecisionsintheir organizationaccountfor45percentofacompany’s performance.

Thismightsoundfascinating.Butwhenyouseetheother sideofthecoin,theroleofaCEOisstressful,lonely,and challenging.Heorshehastoliveuptotheexpectationsof directors,shareholders,customers,andemployees.Ittakes perseverance,coupledwithpassionandpresenceofmind, toexcelintheroleofaCEO.

ACEOisinvolvedinprovidinghonestrecommendationsin everypartofthemanagementprocess.Itfollowsby investingtimeintheindustrydevelopmentsandgettingthe bestforthecompany.Heorshegetstherightsolutionby diggingdeepintotheproblem.ACEO’srolealsoinvolves severalindustrialmeetingsforthecompany’sgrowthwith continuousadviceandguidance.Thebottom-line–heor shestandsthroughthethickandthinofthecompany.So,if anypersonclaimstobetheperfectfitformeetingthe company’sneeds,ithastobeaCEO.

CEOslikeJeffBezos,SundarPichai,MarkZuckerberg, TimCook,ElonMusk,andmanyothershavetransformed

theworld.Today,theseCEOshavemadeitpossibleand exceededallexpectations.

Inthiseditionof“Top 10 Pioneering CEOs to Follow in 2021”,wehavefeaturedthejourney,challenges,and overallexperiencesofCEOswhoareleadingtheir organizationssplendidly

Onthecover,wehaveApostleFredAnnin,theFounderof ActionPlusFoundation.HeopenedActionplusFoundation Ghanain2007withtheaimofcampaigningagainstHIV stigmaanddiscriminationtowardspeoplelivingwithand thoseaffectedbythediseaseinAfrica.Thisinitiativeby ActionplusFoundationwastherightsteptobetakenin makingtheworldbetter,safer,andalotmoretolerantand understandingtotheneedsofindividualswithintheir communitiestoenhancethedevelopmentofhealthy communitieswhereeveryonethrivesdespitedifferent challenges.Today,ActionplusFoundationisan internationalfaith-basedHIVcampaigningandadvocacy organizationwithit’sheadquartersstillbasedintheUK withbranchesinGhana,Uganda,andKenya.

WhileyoureadtheinfluentialstoriesandotherCEOsin thisedition,alsomakesuretoreadabouttheCXO standpointsbytheindustryexpertsandthearticleswritten bythein-houseeditorialteam.

Haveagoodread!

sourabh@insightssuccess.com

CHRISTOPHER AMOS

A Profound Trailblazer Offering Marketing Solutions for Micro-Enterprises

Jude Gomes

Leading With Courage, Tenacity, and Diligence

Protecting Lifestyles, Dreams, and Ambitions of Sri Lankans

Mohammed Mubin Mallick

A Doyen in the Field of Robotics

Mr. Sami Sharif

An Embodiment of a Proven Leadership

Thomas A. Bock

A Recognized Life-Science Leader Developing a New Class of Oncology Medicines

A Relentless Leader with a Progressive Approach

Business

David,

Steve,

SME-SMO

Circulation

FeaturedPerson

ApostleFredAnnin FounderandCEO

CompanyName

ActionPlusFoundation actionplusfoundation.org

CarolLafferty FounderandCEO CaliCoin calicoin.me

ChristopherAmos CEO&Chief DigitalArchitect NoBoundaries MarketingGroup noboundaries.marketing

EdwinBessant CEO CeutaGroup ceutagroup.com

MohammedMubin Mallick CEO&Founder

Mr.SamiSharif CEO

ThomasP.Shivers CEOandPresident

KiranSmart kiransmart.com

KuwaitInsurance Company kic-kw.com

FourStonePartners fourstonepartners.com

ThomasA.Bock MD,MBA,CEO Notable notablelabs.com

RobRosenberger CEO&Co-Founder

JudeGomes CEO

ActionplusFoundationisaninternationalfaithbasedHIV campaigningandadvocacyorganisationwithit’sheadquarters stillbasedintheUKwithbranchesinGhana,Ugandaand Kenya

CaliCoinisthefirstandonlycryptocurrencydevotedtohelping animalsofdeterminationaroundtheworld.

NoBoundariesMarketingGroupwasfoundedtosimplifythe marketingandadvertisinggameforsmalltomedium-sized businesses.

KiranSmartisthefirstAIhumanoidrobotcompanyinKuwait DubaiandIndiatoofferprovideITservicestobusinessand homeusers.

KICmaintainsaleadingpositioninthelocalandregional insurancemarketbyprovidingreliableandinnovative insuranceproductsandservicesandprofessionalteamof expertsatthelevelofKuwaitandGCC.

FourStonePartnersisaninnovativeconsultingfirm specializinginbusinessdevelopment,salesoutsourcing,and operationalsupportservices.

Notableisaclinical-stageprecisiontherapeuticscompany developinganewclassofoncologymedicines: PredictivePrecisionMedicines.

Startedin1994asanomni-channelsales&marketing outsourcingpartner,CeutaHealthcarehasnowtransformedinto aGroupoftwelvecompanieswithaccessto114international markets. Blackdragon blackdragon.expert

UnionAssurancePLC unionassurance.com

Blackdragonisthelargestandfastest-growingbidandproposal (B&P)companythroughoutthefederalindustry

UnionAssurancehasbeeninthebusinessofprotectinglives, empoweringpeopleachievetheirdreams,andprovidingpeace ofmindtothousandsofSriLankanssince1987.

Fred Osei Annin Founder

Apostle Fred Annin

Changing the Lives of People Living With HIV/AIDS

‘‘ ‘‘

HIVshouldbecompletely defeatedsowecanleavealegacy behindusandonedaywhenthe storyof HIVistoldtoour childrenandtoourchildren's children,wewillbesmilingat theothersideof lifeknowing wellthatweallfoughttogether tomakethehistoryhappen.

HIVhasalwaysbeenhighintheAfrican communitiesbecauseofignoranceandlackof knowledgeaboutthefactsandthemodeof transmissionofHIV Withthisignorance,coupledwith stigmaanddiscrimination,peoplelivingwithHIVareleft inpoverty.MajorityofpeoplefromtheAfrican communitiesseethediseaseasatabooandacursefrom God.StigmaandPrejudicearethebarrierstoHIV interventionresultingintheunfortunatebehaviorsand attitudestowardspeoplelivingwithHIVinthatcommunity. Theseunfortunateattitudeshasresultedinpeopleliving withHIVinthesecommunitiesbelievinginmythsandnot thefactsrelatedtoHIVandAIDSandhasthereforeput manyliveswithinthecommunityatrisk.

Immediateactionwasneededtosolvethisproblemand therefore,ApostleFredAnninfoundawayofsolvingthis unfortunatesituationwithActionPlusFoundation. Fredwasmovedtointerveneinthissituationwhenhesaw

thattheseunfortunatebehaviorsandattitudeswerebeing practicedeveninthechurch.Hetookituponhimselfto leadacampaigntargetingtheblackAfricanchurchesby interactingwithPastorssothatthegrowingnumberofHIV infectionsintheBAMEcommunitywillbeprevented.

HowitAllStarted?

ApostleFredAnninwasborninGhanaaveryreligious countrybutwasn’tbornagainuntilhisconversiontothe Christianfaithin1980.HeattendedtheFullGospelBible Collegeandgraduatedwithadiplomaintheologyandlater attheFountainGateBibleSeminarytopursueaBachelor ofMinisterialTheologydegree.Hebecameafulltime PastorattheFullGospelChurchinGhanaandservedfor tenyearsuntilhismissionarytourtotheUKin1991.

DuringthistoursponsoredbytheChalkFarmBaptist ChurchinLondon,Fredwasassignedtoanationalcrusade

programme,preachingandteachingaboutPraiseand WorshiptorevivethechurchintheUK.Fredinoneofhis interviewssaidduringthesemeetingsmanyprophetic messagescamefrommenofGodtohimsaying“when I return to Ghana, God will bring me back again to the UK for a specific ministerial assignment.”In1992whenhe returnedbacktotheUKhewasengagedinmany ministerialassignmentsasafreelanceministerofthe gospel.

In1997,FredopenedthePneumaOutreachMinistriesand thePneumaCommunityLinkandregisteredthetwo institutionswiththeCharityCommissionin1997.Pneuma OutreachMinistrywassetupasaplaceofworshipand PneumaCommunityLinkwasalsotoofferpractical charitablesupportsuchasorganizinghealthawarenessand wellbeingactivitiestoeducatetheBlackminorityand ethniccommunitiesinSouthwark.Someoftheprojects theywereorganizingwere,abouthealthyeating,drugand substanceabuse,HIVawarenessandprevention,teenage pregnancy,trainingyoungpeopletousemusicanddramato educatetheirpeerstorefrainfromviolenceandcrime. ItwasthroughthisinitiativethatFreddiscoveredthat LambethwasthehighestHIVprevalentcommunityinthe wholeoftheUKsecondedbyitsnextdoorneighbour SouthwarkwheretheheadquartersoftheCharityisbased.

HealsodiscoveredthattheblackAfricancommunitywas alsooneofthecommunitiesatriskofhavingtheHIV infectionandSouthwarkalsobeingthesecondcommunity withthehighestHIVprevalenceinthewholeofUKafter theMSMgroup.

ItwasthroughthisdiscoverythatgaveFredmore understandingaboutwhyGodbroughthimbacktotheUK andledhimtosetupthecharityrightintheheartof Southwarkandnootherplace.He,therefore,decidedthat hischaritywasgoingtospendmoretimetoconcentrateon HIVpreventionandcreatingtheawarenessoftheinfection inthecommunitytoreducethespreadoftheinfection.

APassionateServantofGod

Atthattime,Freddidn’tknowmuchaboutthebattlehe intendedtofightandsohedecidedtodomoreresearch workonHIV.Later,healsodecidedtoconsulttheexperts abouthowtheycouldsupportthisgreatvision.Hetravelled acrossLondonandtheUSAtomeetwithsomeofthe known"experts"butunfortunately,theyallgavehimall sortsofnegativecommentscontrarytohisexpectation.To themthevisionwasgood,buttheysawmorethana

Thisisourworld let’salldo somethingto makeitabetter placetolive. ‘‘ ‘‘

hundredandonebarriers,whichsuggestedthatFred’s dreamwasgoingtobeamissionimpossible.

AfterspendingsomedayswithGodinprayer,Fredheard Godsaying,"Fred I am the one who has called you to intervene in this situation and I am going to use you to release my people from the bondage which HIV has brought upon them especially those in the church. I will prove myself that I am a good God who can never put a curse on my people." TheLordalsosaidtohimthatalthoughthe journeywillbelongandtoughbutifhelooktohim,hewill provideforhimandwillneverfailhim.

Fredworkedtirelesslyovertheyearswiththeirlimited resourcestokeeptheinfectionrateofHIVlowerinboththe UKandGhanabecausethevisiontoestablishtheNGOwas notbornfromhimbutGod.HeisgratefultoGodforusing himtodowhatotherscouldnotdoandwillcontinueto fighttosavemorelives.

ACentralRoleinImprovingLives

FredchangedthenameofhischaritytoActionplus Foundationtoreflecttothekindofchangehewantedtosee inhisorganisation.AfterhishardworkandfaithinGod, thesearetheremarkablemiracleshisNGOhasachieved.It hastrainedover6,000pastorsandchurchleadersbothin GhanaandtheUKforthemtoknowmoreaboutHIVand theyhaveembracedthefactsaboutHIVbutnotthemyths. Ignoranceisremovedandstigmaisbrokeninthechurch.It hasbecomethefirstorganizationintheUKandinGhanato successfullylaunchthemosteffectivemoduleforHIV preventiontodaycalled “Take Action Now”. Ithasbecome thecuttingedgeforHIVtestinginchurchesworldwideand manyorganizationsareusingthismodule.Othershave adoptedthemodulebuthaveonlychangedthename.One

oftheorganisationsusingthismodelhavechangedthe nameofTakeActionNowto“TestingFaith”.These organisationsareusingtheTaneActionNowmoduleto reachouttothefaithcommunitiestogetmanypastorsand faithleaderstrainedsothatpeopleinchurchesandmosques canbetestedforHIVtosavelivesandreducethe prevalenceoftheinfection.

ChallengedStigmaandDiscrimination

ApostleFredOseiAnninopenedActionplusFoundation Ghanain2007withtheaimofcampaigningagainstHIV stigmaanddiscriminationtowardspeoplelivingwithand thoseaffectedbythediseaseinAfrica.Thisinitiativeby ActionplusFoundationwastherightsteptobetakenin makingtheworldbetter,safer,andalotmoretolerantand understandingtotheneedsofindividualswithintheir communitiestoenhancethedevelopmentofhealthy communitieswhereeveryonethrivesdespitedifferent challenges.

Today,ActionplusFoundationisaninternationalfaithbased HIVcampaigningandadvocacyorganisationwithit’s headquartersstillbasedintheUKwithbranchesinGhana, UgandaandKenya

SupportingtheVulnerableandDisadvantaged

In2010,ActionPlusFoundationbecamethefirstHIV charityinGhanatoopenthefirstHIVtestingcenterina churchinGhana.Fredhasmanagedtobreakstigmainthe church.Thechurchhasacceptedtheresponsibilityandhas

nowbecomeasanctuaryagainforthevulnerableespecially peoplelivingwithHIVandtheirfamilies.

Toachievealltheseremarkableresultsgloballywiththe limitedresources,theorganizationisabigsuccesstoHIV preventionandagreatmoduletobeusedinfightingthe menacetillitisfinallyeradicatedfromthecommunitiesand theworldatlarge.ActionPlusFoundationhasfourkey objectivestoaddressHIVintheUKandtherestofthe world.,

1.TopreventHIVinfectionfromoccurring.

2.Topromoteearlydiagnosisandaccesstotreatment.

3.Tochallengeprejudiceandreducestigma.

4.Toreducepovertyexperiencedbypeoplelivingwith HIV

TheMessageofSalvation

EventhoughFredhasgonethroughmillionsofuncountable challengesandoppositionsthroughoutthe24-yearjourney, theorganizationisstillgrowingstrongerandstrongerevery yearsendingthemessageofHIVtoboththeyoungandold. Thisisagreatbreakthroughbecausetheplacewhere innocentpeoplewerediscriminatedbecauseoftheirHIV statushasnowbecomeasanctuaryagain.GlorytoGod. Fredhaswonmanynationalandinternationalawardsfor hisgreatachievementsbychampioningtheHIVcampaign bothintheUKandinAfrica.After10yearsofintensive campaigningonlyaboutthedangersofHIVandits devastatingeffectontheGhanaiancommunity,Godathis owntimeopenedthedooronSundaythe25thofMay2017 forActionplusFoundationtoopentheheadquartersofits

church,JoyCityChapelInternational(JCCI)inAccrawith 150membersduringtheinitialdedicationservice.

OrganizedHIVtrainingandWomenEmpowerment Program

Currently,ActionplusFoundationaimsattrainingwomen livingwithHIVthroughcapacitybuildingtoempower themwithrequisiteskillstoenablethemtoacquireuseful experiencetohelpsustaintheirlives.Tohelpthesewomen, amicrofinanceschemetosupportthetrainedwomenwith financingwillenablethemtobecomeindependentand workontheirownafteracquiringthenecessarytraining fromthecenter

Aspartofthe‘TakeActionNow’campaignbytheAction PlusFoundation,itistryingtogetchurchesmoreinvolved withthisissue.Itisalsohopingtobuildamodern EmpowermentCentreinAccratoserveasaplaceto organisetrainingprogramsforchurchleaderstoemulatea similarcampaigninGhanaandtherestofAfrica. Actionpluswithin14yearsofitsestablishmentinGhana, hasmanagedtolaunchfourmajorprojectstoreducethe spreadofHIVinfectioninthecountry,including;the NationalCHEPProgram“CampusHIVEducational Program.”

COVID-19

Pandemic

DuringtheCovid-19pandemic,Fredagaintooktheleadin organizingonlinetrainingprogrammesandconferencesto createtheawarenessoftheinfectionhereintheUKandin Africa.HealsoledActionplusFoundationtodistributefree PPE’Stoschools,institutions,tradersandthegeneral public

Manypeopleinthedevelopingcountriesexpectpeople fromEuropeorthedevelopedcountriestocometotheir countriestoopenNGO'sthereforedependingontheAID whichtheydonatetothem.Fredhoweverhasmanagedto dotheoppositebyleavingAfricatoopenhischarityinthe heartofEurope.Hehasmanagedtoestablishhisthecharity allbyhimselffor24yearsandhasreturnedbacktoAfrica todothesame,singlehandedlyrunningitfor14years. Londonisoneofthemostexpensivecitiesintheworldbut hereActionplushasgrowntobecomeoneoftheleading HIVorganisationssupportingtheBAMECommunitiesin theUK.IntheUK.ActionplusFoundation,hasbranches notonlyinLondonbutLutonandColchester.InAfricatoo ithasbranchesinGhana,Uganda,andKenya.Trulythisis amiraclebythehandofGodandwegivehimalltheglory.

Since2015FredhaswonmanyLocal,Nationaland InternationalAwardswhichincludes:SouthwarkMajor’s CivicAward,TheDiversityChampionAwardForCharities (UK).TheHeroesAward,TheAfricanPrestigiousAward andthelatestbeingthe2020BestHIVPreventionService Award(UK)

Caroline Lafferty Founder & Chief Execuve

Caroline Lafferty

The Entrepreneur at the Intersection of Cryptocurrency and Animal Advocacy

Thefoundationofhumanityhasalwaysbeenhelping eachother.Therearepeople,andcertainlyanimals, whoarelessfortunatethanus.Animal-based charitiesareinperpetualneedoffinancialsupport—onlyan estimated10%ofallcharitablegivingisdirectedtowards animal-basedcharities;butunfortunately,thesecharities alsosufferfromthesameissuesoffundingandgovernance manycharitiesface.

Now,imagineacharitytokenexistingtoaddresssuch animalwelfareneedswithtransparent,seamless,and documenteddonation.

MeetCarolineLafferty,wholeveragedthisrelativelynew worldofcryptocurrencytoopennewavenuesofdonation forneedyanimalcharitiesbyfoundingCaliCoin.

CaliCoinisthefirstandonlycryptocurrencydevotedto helping,whatCarolineterms,AnimalsofDetermination (animalsthatsufferfromadisabilityand/orarehomeless) aroundtheworld.Itprovidesa100%flow-throughoffunds (0%commissions,overheadfees,orothercharges)directly topre-qualifiedanimal-basedcharitiesservingAODs aroundtheworld.ItensuresCaliCoindonorsthattheir donationsarehelpinganimalsofdetermination,andtheir fundsaregoingdirectlytohelpingtheanimalswithoutany oftheissueswhichcanplagueexistingcharitablegiving options.CarolinewearsthehatoftheCEOinthecompany

ABlendofPassions

CaliCoinisawonderfulblendofpassions.

Carolinehasalwaysbeenanavidanimallover.Shealong withherhusbandJamesMichaelLaffertymovedtoDubai withtheirwonderfulYorkiedog,“Cali”.Shortlythereafter, theydiscoveredthatshehasageneticdisorderofherbones. So,they,unfortunately,hadtoamputateoneofherlegs. Calihoweverneverletthissituationbringherdown;she continuedtorompandplayandenjoylife,inspiringthem all.Shortlyafter,theybothfoundanabandonedkittenon thestreetinapileofrubble,whofollowedthemhome.She isalovableArabianMaunamed“Karma”.Botharebest friendsandintegralpartsofthecompany’sfamily.The three-leggeddogandtheorphancat!

Besidesherloveforanimals,Carolinealsohadaspecial affinitywiththeemergingworldofcryptocurrency.Shehas beendeeplyinvolvedasaninvestorforthepast5years. Shesawauniqueblendofthetwo,anideainwhichitcould leveragecryptocurrencyandtheuniverseofcryptousers,to openentirelynewpathwaystosupportAnimalsof Determination.AndthatishowCaliCoinwasborn! CaliCoinmarriesCaroline’sloveofthecryptocurrency worldwithherloveforanimals.

MakingtheWorldaBetterPlaceforAnimalsof Determination

This is all about helping the world be a better place, one needy animal at a time

Inessence,CaliCoinwascreatedoutofthepandemicto bringurgenthelptoanimalcharitiesaroundtheworldthat sawtheirdonationsandfinancialsupportdryup.Caroline hearsfrommanycharitiesabouthowCaliCoinhashelped keepthemoperatingandservingAnimalsofDetermination. “I get a huge sense of pride and joy in being able to help these noble causes. I firmly believe it represents the best of humanity when we can help those on our planet truly less fortunate than ourselves. It’s hard to imagine a population more in need than animals who suffer from disabilities or

are homeless and roaming the streets,” expressesCaroline. CaliCoin’smissionisverynoble:Ithelpsperhapsthemost disadvantagedsubsetonthisplanet—Animalsof Determination.TheteamatCaliCoinhasfinanced100%of thestart-upofCaliCoinandittakesnofeesorcommissions ondonations.

BuiltfromtheScratch

ThebiggestchallengeforCarolinebyfarwasdoingwhat anyentrepreneurknowswell—doingthingsprudentlyand onyourown!MostICOsareexecutedvialargeteamsand theengagementofmanyconsultantsandadvisors,whereas CarolineandherhusbandlaunchedCaliCoinentirelywith aninternalteamofjustahandfulofpeople.Theteam createdthisentireprojectfromscratchwithlimitedbudgets andlotsofsweatequity,alldrivenbyacombinedpassion forgivingbackandhelpinganimalsinneed.Andsofar,she isproudoftheearlyresults:CaliCoinhasgainedglobal tractionandhasappreciatedover300%sinceitslaunch.

SourcesofInspiration

Carolinewasgreatlyinfluencedbyherparents.Shelearned fromthem,thecourageandwilltosucceed.Theyemigrated fromHongKongtoCanadawithnothingandbuiltalifeso thatCarolineandherbrothercouldhaveopportunitiesthey neverhad.Shewatchedthemsacrificeandworkendless hours,justtogivetheirkidsachance.Shewasn’tgoingto letthemdownandsquanderthesacrificestheymade.

Carolinewasatopstudentandthus,sheworkedtogetinto thebestschoolssuchastheUniversityofTorontoand studiedthemostdemandingfields.CaliCoinisonlythe latestofseveralsuccessfulstart-upsshehaslaunchedover thepastdecade.

ThesecondgreatinfluencerwasherhusbandJames,who co-foundedCaliCoinalongwithher

ThePinnacleofProfessionalism

Carolinehasalwaysbelievedthatsuccessstartsandfinishes withpeople.Hersmallteamislikeafamilytoher,andshe takescareofherfamily!Shetriestobreedacultureof ownership,whereeveryemployee“owns”apieceof CaliCoin.Shefurtherbelievesindevelopingtalent,as peoplearemostinspiredwhentheyseethemselvesgrow Shesays, “We are fair and principled, and we do the right

thing. It’s a passionate and caring team and I think this directly reflects on the culture we put people in at CaliCoin.”

AProfoundNotetotheEmergingOnes

InheradvicetoemergingCEOs,Carolinesays“This industry, cryptocurrency, is rife with questionable ethics and people out to make a quick buck. And it is undermining the entire space and the adoption of what is an amazing and forward-thinking concept. Be able to look in the mirror at yourself and be proud. Look at any industry and eventually, ethics wins out. If you want to be both proud and sustainable, embrace strong ethics as a core of your business. It will be harder and take more time. But choosing the “harder right” over the “easier wrong” is always the winning way.”

Amos CEO and Chief Digital Architect

Top 10 Pioneering CEOs to Follow in 2021

CHRISTOPHER CHRISTOPHER AMOS AMOS

A Profound Trailblazer Offering Marketing Solutions for Micro-Enterprises

Haveyoueverwonderedwhileenjoyingascoopof

thedessertthatyouwantedtotrywhilerelaxing onyourcouchwhatmadeyouchoosethespecific brandtosatisfyyourhunger?Wasitthebrandjingle,orthe tagline,orwasitthemind-bogglingpostthatyousawon socialmedia?Whicheverreasonitmightbe,oneofthe essentialfactorsthatmakeanyproductpopularamongthe massesisthemagicofmarketing.

Often,itisquiteamisconceptionthatonlylarge organizationsinvestinmarketingtheirproductstocreatea buzzwhenitcomestomarketing.However,itisnotthe caseanymorewithsimplifiedmarketingandadvertising servicesprovidedbyNoBoundariesMarketingGroup. ChristopherAmos,theCEOandChiefDigitalArchitect hascultivateduniquemarketingstrategiesandsolutions thatassistmicroandmedium-sizedenterprisesin promotingtheirproductsandachievingsuccess.

TheSynopsisBehindtheVenture

Christopherhashadquiteajourneyoverthelastfewyears todesignanagencythatcanconsistentlyexceedthe expectationsofsmallbusinessesbothlocallyandnationally. Withoveradecadeofexperienceintheindustry,heknows businessownersneedmoreasateam.Theyneedadditional transparency,leads,andextraeffortsoutoftheirmarketing team!

NoBoundariesMarketingGroupwasfoundedtosimplify themarketingandadvertisinggameforsmalltomedium-

sizedbusinesses.Itsgoalistoproducetransparent, measurableresultsforclientstofocusongrowingtheir business.

Asafull-servicemarketingandadvertisingagency,No BoundariesMarketingGroupusesvarioussoftware platforms,applications,tools,andresourcestoensureits clientsgetthebestvalueoutoftheirmarketingdollar.

CultivatingaValue-DrivenWorkCulture

Christopherhaslearnedthatthekeytoanawesometeamis tofosterapositiveworkculture.Aworkenvironment wherepeopleareencouragedtosharetheirthoughts,grow thebusiness,andcollaborateacrossproductsandplatforms eliminatesservicebarriersandultimatelyhelpsproducean amazingresultforclients.

Thetruthis,Christopherhasanamazingteamwithskill setsthatrangefromformerbusinessowners,customer serviceprofessionals,webdevelopers,SEOstrategists,and more!Eachpersonprovidesvaluableinsightandproblemsolvingskillsthathelpthecompanyproduceabetter experienceandoutcomeforitsclients!

TheAdaptationthroughthePandemic

Christopermentionsthatthepost-pandemicworldhas changedconsiderably,fromthewaysconsumerssearchand findlocalbusinessestothewayoneshopsforgoodsand services.Theneedforastrong,consistentdigitalpresence

“Your Business, Our Forte”

hasneverbeengreaterthanitistoday.Evenpost-pandemic asconsumersventurebackouttorestaurantsandlocal shops,themeanstowhichtheyfindthesebusinessesalmost alwaysoriginatesonadigitalplatform.

Formanybusinesses,thismeansthathavingawebsiteor socialmediapagejustisn'tenough.Businessesownershave tofocusonprovidingconsumersaccesstohigh-quality contentanddynamicimagesacrossnumerousplatforms. Thisiswhereaccesstoanexperiencedmarketingteam comesintoplay.Businessownersarealreadystretchedthin, sotheneedforareliableandexperiencedmarketercannot onlydriveleadsbutcansavetime,createefficiencies,and somuchmore.

UpscalingTechnologicalAdvancements

Thepost-pandemicbusinessenvironmenthasreallyforced businessestobecomemoredigitalortechnologysavvyto meetthedemandsofconsumers.Thisdigitaltransformation hastakenownersandmarketersalikeoutoftheircomfort zonesandthrustthemintodiversifyingtheironline presence.Now,thingslikereputationmanagement,social

media,emailmarketing,andmorearenolongeroptional. Creatingasynergybetweenplatformsandbrandmessaging hasneverbeenmorecritical.Christopherputsthiswitha saying, "You get one shot to make a great first impression!”

StrategizingProductsandServices

Christopherexpressesthatforabusinessownertomeetthe challengesofthefutureistocommunicatewiththeir marketingteam.Sadly,becausebusinessownerswear multiplehats,itcanbedifficulttostayuponthedataand trending.Thiscanleadtomissedopportunities,diminished results,andpoordecisionsinthelongrun.Thebestwayto avoidfiredrillsandgetthemostoutofthemarketing strategyistostayconsistent,understandthedata,and communicate!

WeavingUpwiththeCommunity

Whenitcomestogivingbacktothecommunity,No BoundariesMarketingGrouppridesitselfinbeingapartof theveryfabricthatmakesupthiscommunity!Itinvestsin severallocalchambersofcommerce,volunteersat

communityevents,anditsteammembersvolunteertheir timetohelpeducatestartupsandnewbusinessessothey canhitthegroundrunning!

Christophersays, "If given a chance, I would absolutely love to get additional resources into the hands of aspiring entrepreneurs. A common issue that we hear after meeting with a new client is "I wish I found you guys sooner" or "I wish I knew about that before I wasted my money.”

"Sadly, many new business owners just don't know the insand-outs of the marketing game, and so they are susceptible to being taken advantage of. So, if I could change something, I would love to see more transparent information about marketing and advertising provided to new business owners to help them better navigate the marketplace," Christopherasserts.

GuidingUp-and-ComingGeneration

Inhisadviceforaspiringentrepreneursintothemarketing space,Christophersays, "Be transparent and communicate.”

“Most marketing professionals are great at the sale and the creative. Sadly, what most marketing professionals lack is the transparency and communication skills necessary to truly wow a client. As an entrepreneur myself, we made significant investments into our reporting platform to make sure clients have access to data in real-time, and we made significant investments in our CRM platform to ensure we can effectively communicate with our clients," concludes Christopher.

Bessant CEO Ceuta Group

Edwin Bessant

Leading With Courage, Tenacity, and Diligence

Settingupandstartingabusinesssoundslikeaneasy task,butevenafterhavingahighlysuccessfuland lucrativecorporatejob,itisnotasimplefeat.It requiresonetohavealotofgutsandcouragetogiveupon suchajobandentertheworldofbusinesswithaleapof faith.Acourageousleader,EdwinBessant,spottedagapin thehealthcarearena27yearsago,gaveuphishigh-flying careerinconsumerhealthcareatPfizerConsumer [FormerlyWyeth],andsetupCeutaHealthcarewithhis foundingpartnerAnnetteD’Abreo.Edwinisnowserving astheCEOofCeutaGroup Tenaciouslyanddiligently, Edwincontinuedtoretainavisiononthefuture,ensuring thatCeutawasalwaysfitforthefutureanddeliveringa marketneedforhisclientbase.CeutaGrouphasastrong andtrustedglobalManufacturing&PrivateEquity[ consumerbrandacquirers]clientbaseandisagloballeader withfirstmarketmoveadvantage.

Pioneering

AUniqueVisionandExpandingBusiness

Model

Startedin1994asanomni-channelsales&marketing outsourcingpartner,CeutaHealthcarehasnowtransformed intoaGroupoftwelvecompanieswithaccessto114 internationalmarkets.Together,CeutaGroup’sbusinesses deliverthenextgenerationofanindustry-unique ‘IntegratedConsumerBrandOutsourcingServices’ business–Globalservicesinclude:Advisory,Digital, Shopper&CategoryInsights,CreativeDesign,Data Analytics,FieldMarketingSales&MarketingExecution andLogistics[https://www.ceutagroup.com/.]

EdwinandAnnettelaunchedbrandmanagementspecialist CeutaHealthcarealone,withnoclients,fromathree-desk officeinBournemouthin1994.TodayCeutaGroup, throughEdwin’spioneeringanduniquevision,hasseveral officesaroundtheworld[including:NewYork,Dublin, Amsterdam,Singapore,Bangkok,andSydney].Ceuta

Groupemploysmorethan400people,turnsoveraround $140m,andafterawhirlwindofacquisitions,comprises twelvedistinctcompanies.Severalofthesebusinesseswere boughtaftermeticulousplanningtologicallyexpandthe businessmodel.Edwinpredictsthattheirnetincome, currentlyaround$13m(EBITDA),willdoubleoverthe nexttwo–threeyears.

LeadingAPioneeringInitiative

EdwinwasworkingforPfizerConsumerwhenhespotteda gapinthemarket.He’dbeenwiththepharmagiantfor18 years,whichledtoaDirector’sroleonaEuropeanfast trackprogramme.There,hesawagrowingdemandfor “Outsourcing”and“BrandFostering”–wherean organizationgivestotalresponsibilityforoneormoreofits brandstoathirdparty.Certainly,hecouldbuildacompany tomeetthisuntappedmarketdemand,andusingallhis blue-chipexperience,Edwincraftedoutavisionaryand pioneeringbusinessplan,lefthishighlysuccessfuljob,and settowork,encouragingAnnetteD’Abreotojoinhimas equally,shehadasuccessfulroleatPfizer.Annette immediatelyunderstoodtheopportunityandtrustedEdwin toleadthepioneeringinitiative.

“By the end of Year One, Ceuta Healthcare had 30 employees,” Edwinsays,togivetheimpressionofhowhe hasneveroncedoubtedCeuta’sabilitytobecomeaglobal powerhouse.Headds,“We made a loss of around £300,000 [ $414,000] in the first two years [in line with the bank’s support]. And in year three we made a profit of £50,000 [ $69,000].” Sincethen,thegrowthandinvestmenthave beenexplosive,leadingCeutatobetheONLYcompany thatcandeliverasinglepointofcontactforacompanythat needsinternationalreachandcompletemanagementfor theirbrands.

‘‘

Ceuta Group provides a unique collective of services to enhance, grow and support the brands it represents; delivering everything a brand owner would ever want or need from one outsourced partner.

BeingInspiredbyPioneeringInnovatorsand Entrepreneurs

‘‘ ‘‘

Edwinadmiresthepioneeringinnovatorsandentrepreneurs whohavetrulytakenuptheopportunityofspottingagapin themarket,definingandshapingthenewwayweliveand shopwithphenomenalsuccess,changingconsumer

engagementandtechnologicalenhancementi.e.:JeffBezos –Amazon,ElonMusk–PayPal,Tesla,Space-X,Steve Jobs–Apple,TravisKalanick&GarrettCamp–Uber,Will Shu&GregOrlowski–Deliveroo&JackMa–Alibaba, LarryPage&SergeyBrin–Google,LarryEllison,Ed Oates,BobMiner–Oracle.

Edwinexpressesthathedoesnotliketoplagiarisewhen readingbusinessbooks,butofcourse,heconsidersitis importanttoneverstoplearning,andthereisnoharmin havingagoodmentor.Hedoeslikereadingbooksthathave actuallybeenwrittenorco-writtenbysuccessful entrepreneursi.e.:‘TheAlchemist’byJimRatcliffe[The IneoStory]andtheseriesoftheBlueOceanStrategy& BlueOceanShiftbyW.ChanKim&ReneeMauborgne.

AcceleratingBrandMarketingDevelopment

Duringthecovidperiod,CeutaGrouphasthankfullyhada record-breakingyear,workingwithintheHealth&Personal CareandFood&Drinkindustries,andhavingpartofits workforceworkingfromtheofficesandthemajorityof personnelsuccessfullyworkingfromhome.Ceuta experiencedmorechallengeswithBrexitaffectingits

MarketingAgencies,ascorporationswereholdingback becauseoftheuncertaintyofelectionsandgettingthe Brexitbillpassed.Intheshortterm,therewasatemporary holdonMarketingbudgetswithinsomesectors,butoverall, itsawarapidchangetobrandmarketingdevelopment whichcontinuestoaccelerate.

EnsuringInclusiveWorkCulture

Further,Edwinopinesthatculturecreationwithinany organizationiskey,andthishasalwaysbeenanimportant mantraforCeuta.CeutaGrouphasfourdifferent generationsofemployees,andtheyallhavedifferentlevels ofexpectationsfromanemployer.Ceutamustdeliverto ALL,andtherightculturegluesitsworkforcetogether.In additiontoculturecreation,ithasalsoengagedwithfurther intent,monitoring,support,andexecutingfortheright reasonssuchas‘Diversity,InclusionandGenderbalance[ CeutaGroupisapprox.48%female/52%male]’.Also, sustainabilityandenvironmentalprotectionarekey imperativeforCeutaGroup.

SupportingLocalCommunity

CeutaisemersedandengagedthroughitsCSRteamand supportsadifferentnumberofinitiatives:

Ÿ Supportlocalcharitieswithfinancialcontributions

Ÿ Organizeclean-upevents

Ÿ Volunteerinlocalschoolsorcommunityprojects

Ÿ Localfund-raisingevents

Edwinisa‘FellowofthePrince’sEnterpriseTrust’which helpsvulnerableyoungpeoplegettheirlivesbackontrack.

Itsupports11to30year-oldswhoareunemployedand thosestrugglingatschoolandatriskofexclusion.Edwin periodicallygoesintoclassroomstotalktostudents[from allethnicities]onbusinessbuildingandthewatchoutsetc. whichhereallyenjoys.

ExpansionaryApproach

Inaconclusion,Edwinmentionsthatforthenextfiveyears, CeutaGroup’svisionistocontinuetobuildoutitsGlobal Digitalservices.Itwantstocontinuetobuildoutits ‘MarketplaceSupportPlatform’–USA,Europe,andChina. ItwantstoselectivelyacquireotherCeutatype organizationsworldwideandtoacquireConsumerHealth& Wellnessbrands’.

Edwinisalsoa‘LifeFellowofTheRoyalSocietyof Medicine’

RESOLVING Challenges OUT-OF-THE-BO THINKING

Challenges with T-OF-THE-BOX THINKING

Thechallengesinlifeorbusiness,oranyfieldare

inevitable.Challengesmakethejourneymore interesting,andovercomingthemmakeslife meaningful.Withoutchallengesjourneyoflifebecomes dull.Aneasylifedoesn’tallowustocomeoutofour comfortzoneanddosomethingextraordinary.Challenges addagoodflavortolifeandareblessingsindisguiseas challengesbringoutourrealleader.

Crisisforcesapersontobealeader,andchallengesarethe wake-upcalltothinkinnovativeandintangibletobreakthe shackles.Ifweseewiththerightperspective,obstaclesare opportunities.Pioneeringleadersbelieveintransforming challengesintoopportunities.Theybelievethattough challengesaretheopportunitiestocomeupwithmore innovativesolutions.

Unprecedentedchallengescallfordistinctiveandout-ofthe-boxsolutions.Pioneeringleadersinanyfieldchoose thisapproachtodealwithunprecedentedchallengesand understandthatnoproblemcanbesolvedwiththesame levelofthinkingwhenitarrives.

Thetimeofpandemicisunprecedentedgivesrisetonew challenges.Thegreatnessofapersonorleaderhastobe estimatedbytheirabilitytodealwithtoughtimes.Their

abilitytobemostpragmaticandcleverintheapproachand playtheroleofsituationalleadershiptoresolvethe challengesinunprecedentedtimesmakethemadmirable.

Leadershipisnotaposttoenjoy,butitisaserious responsibility.Greatleadersthinkinthisway Theyarethe personificationofexemplaryandingeniousleadership. Theyalsoholdtheabilitytocomeupwithsolutionstothe challengesevenatthespurofthemoment.Theycantake high-valuedecisionseveninunprecedentedtimes.They don’tbelieveingivingupandkeepfightingcourageously withpassionandperseverance.Theyknowthatwiththe fightingspirit,anythingcomplexcanbeovercome.They adoptanewapproachtodealingwithsituationsthatare neverexperiencedbefore.

Theworldisabattlefield.Businessleadersbelievein havingafighterspiritforsustainingtheircompetencyand valueintheworld.Theyunderstandthatnewsituationswill requirenewsolutions,andoldwaysneedtobegivenup. Theyprioritizeclearingouttheoldtomakewayforthe new

Notbeingstuckandalwayshavingtheattitudetodeliver whatthesituationdemandsshouldbetheattitudetobethe mostoutstandingleaderinmoderntimesfordelivering evolvingsolutionstosustainthecompetencyinthemarket.

Innovativeandout-of-the-boxthinkingisthehallmarkof pioneeringbusinessleaders.Theyarealwaysopento acceptingthenewwayofworkingandexpandingthe business.Theyensurethattheycancontinuetheir dominanceinthemarketbyservingtheirclientsevenif therearechallengingtimes.Theyarecleveratadaptingnew waystoservetheclients,buttheywillnevergiveuptheir spiritofservitude,andinthisway,theykeepexpanding theirservicestothegreaternumberofclientsandcan ensurethesuccessoftheirbusinesses.

Timeslikepandemicsmaybeunprecedentedand challenging.However,pioneeringleaderscandealwith suchsituationsalsoimmaculatelywiththeirclever, innovative,rational,andpragmaticapproach.Theycan delivervaluetotheclientsnomatterwhattheoddsor challengesare.That’swhatthegloriousleadersdo,andthat iswhattheywillkeepondoing.Inthisway,theyinspirethe nextgenerationofentrepreneurstothriveevenin challengingsituationswithaspiritoffighting,grit, perseverance,andresilience.Suchleadershipgoesalong wayinmakingasustainableimpactinthelivesofeveryone theycomeacross.

Jude Gomes

Protecting Lifestyles, Dreams, and Ambitions of Sri Lankans

Inapandemic-riddenenvironmentthatwasuncertain,

complex,andfast-evolving,ahandfuloforganizations haveshowntrueresilienceandbusinesssuccessunder theguidanceandnavigationofleaderswhohavebroken awayfromthearchetypal'commandandcontrol'mouldof traditionalleadership.

JudeGomes,theChiefExecutiveOfficerofUnion AssurancePLC,isamongthoseleaders.Hedrawsfroma highlyaccomplishedcareerinfinancialservicesspreadover threedecadeswithexperienceaccruedacrosskeyAsian marketsandkeyglobalfinancialinstitutions.Withover threedecadesofindustry-leadingsuccess,UnionAssurance (UAL)isthecountry'soldestprivateLifeInsurer empoweringtheSriLankandream,offeringarangeof insurancesolutionscoveringeducation,health,protection, retirement,andinvestmentneedsofSriLankans.Powered byanetworkof76branchesanda3,000-strongteamthat sharesacustomer-centricapproachtobusiness,the companycontinuedtoinvestinpeople,digital infrastructure,productsandprocessestoremainagileand responsivetoemergingandunprecedentedchangesunder Jude'sguidanceandvisionaryleadership.

Underthebanner'Yourlife,Ourstrength,'thecompanyhas nurturedtheSriLankandreaminuniqueandpersonalways tosupportourpolicyholdersandthepeopletheylove. Excellence,ethics,integrity,innovation,andacustomercentricmentalityaretheheartbehindday-to-dayoperations atUnionAssurance.

ActingasaCatalyst

Thecoronaviruspandemicbrokeoutjustafewmonths afterJudetookthereinsastheCEOofUnionAssurance.

However,heguidedhisteamonajourneyof transformation,positioningtheCompanyasamodern, customer-centric,digitallifeinsurertoaddressthelagin technologyadoptionwithintheindustry

Withthemissionofsimplifyinginsuranceandempowering customers,theCompanyshifteditsfocustowards digitisationduringthistime.Thetransformationwas initiatedbysimplifying,innovating,anddigitisingcomplex processes,culminatinginanoverhaulofitsoperating systemtoadigitalmodel.Toprovideuninterruptedservice toitspolicyholders,theCompanyestablishedatrilingual callcentrethatoperated24/7,anonlinechatbotandenabled digitalplatformsandgatewaystomeetthegrowingdemand incustomerqueries.Furthermore,UnionAssurance disruptedthefutureofLifeInsurancebyaddingadynamic facettoitscustomerexperiencewitha100%digital platform-Clicklife,whichofferscustomerstopurchase productsinstantlywithoutanypaperworkandphysical interactionaswellasaplatformwithrealtimeselfservicingcapabilityaspartofitsend-to-endonline insurancesolution.TheappfeaturesWorldHealth Organizationapprovedchallenges,rewards,andother excitingin-appfeaturestoengageandmotivateusersto stayfitandhealthy.

NavigatingThroughChallenges

Speakingaboutchallenges,Judementionedthataspectsof economicgrowth,socio-culturalfactorsandfinancial literacyhavebeenbarrierstoindustryexpansion.Inhis view,financialliteracyislowcomparedtodeveloped marketsinwhichinsurancepenetrationishigh.Thisisan importantfactorforimprovinginsuranceconsciousnessand awarenessacrosssociety.

Jude Gomes Chief Executive Officer Union Assurance PLC

Gomesarticulatedthreekeystrategieshebelieveswilldrive theinsurancesector:first,cohesivestrategiesshouldbein placetoattractandretaintherighttalent,especiallygiven thattheindustryismanpower-dominant;second,there shouldbeafocusonanomnichanneldistributionmodelto providegreateraccessibilitytocustomers;third,isin creatingefficienciesinoperationsanddeliveryplatforms makingthebuyingcycleeasy,convenient,fast,and transparent.

PeopleEmpowerment

Judeisanardentbelieverthatleadersshouldconstantly challengethemselvesandtheirteamstoexceed expectationsandembracenewopportunities.

Empowermentisanimportantcriterionforleadingpeople andorganisationstosuccess.Tothisend,Judenurturesa workplaceenvironmentinwhichsafetyandtrustare prerequisitesforpeople’sempowerment.Whenpeoplefeel empoweredandsafeintheworkplace,itpavesthewayfor moreinnovationandadvancementstotakeplace.He believesincultivatingaculturewhereemployeeslearn frommistakesandstrivetowardsexcellence.

AcceleratingGrowth

Insurancehastrailedotherindustriesandinparticular financialserviceswhenitcomestotransformation–digital orotherwise.Inanincreasinglydata-drivenenvironment, poorpublicperceptionofinsurerscamedowntoa combinationoffactors.Thelackoftransparencyaugmented byarchaicprocesses;lowunderstandingand misinformationofinvestmentvs.protection,lackof confidenceininsuranceagents,inadequatefocusontraining andskilldevelopment,restrictedchannelsandlimited productsuitesskewedtowardsinvestmentratherthan protection,aresomeoftheindustrychallenges.

Gomesbelievesadefiningfeatureforgrowthaccelerationis inthedepthofcustomer-centricityadopted.Protection shouldcentrearoundthepeopleitprotects.

Byrollingoutasimplifiedcustomer-focuseddigitalagenda in2019,UnionAssurancemappedoutacomprehensive customerjourney,addressingpainpoints,eliminating complexities,andcustomizingsolutionsthroughthe applicationoftechnology,settingthebenchmarkfora future-readyoperatingmodel.

Understanding that you don’t know everything is a very valuable lesson to learn early on. Adming o failures, taking accountability, and making necessary changes fast is what is important for success. “ “

ANotetoEmergingLeaders

“When you’re in a leadership role, developing your intuition plays a big part as your employees rely on you to make trustworthy decisions meeting needs of all stakeholders.

“It is important to note that staying true to your values and morals is key in your journey. Understanding that you don’t know everything is a very valuable lesson to learn early on. Admitting to failures, taking accountability, and making necessary changes fast is important for success.”

Mohammed Mubin Mallick

A Doyen in the Field of Robotics

Sincedecades,technologicaladvancementshavebeen assistinghumansinalmosteverysphereoftheir lives.Eveninthispandemicsituation,technology didn’tfailtoofferassistancetous.Theuseofrobotswas exploredextensivelybymostoftheresearchersand businesses,especiallyhealthcareorganizations,considering thefactsthattheydon’tneedmask,theycaneasilyget disinfected,andtheydon’tfallsick.Withthisidea, MohammedMubinMallick’sKiranSmarthas significantlycontributedtothedevelopmentofadvanced roboticsinthisongoingpandemicthroughitsstate-of-theartroboticssolutions.

TowardsVisionaryProject

Intheyear2017,Mubinpredictedthefutureasitisgoing totakeaturntowardssomeadvancedtechnology The thoughtcameintohismindwasrobotsasitwashis childhooddreamtohaverobots.Buthewasdemotivated anddiscouragedafterbeingrejectedonhisroboticsideaor topicbymany Thesenegativefactorsmadehimstrongerto faceandchallengethemarket.

Sincehischildhood,Mubinhasseenmanydifficultiesand hastackledthemsuccessfully,beitstudies,sports,

traveling,orlivingaloneawayfromhome.Hehasnever brokendownandhasalwaysstooduptofightthesituation. Astimepassed,thingsbecameeasierforhimtohandledue totheexperiencehegained.

MubinfoundedKiranSmartwithlotsoflovefrompeople whoreallywantedtohavetheseservicesandsolutions.He didmarketresearchinGCConrobots.Hedevelopedevery singleroboticssolutionforeveryindustryandaswellfor hometoo.HedidnotfindsuitableCEOwhowould understandhisvisionandthatisthereason,hedecidedto wearthehatofCEOaswell.

Wellversedwithdifferentroboticsmanufactureraroundthe world,MubinisworkingonhisVisionaryPrimeProject whichcouldmakehimthepioneerintheworldonrobotics servicesthathumanhasneverimaginedorexpectedonthe idea.

GettingtheBestoutofEverything

Mubinmentionsthateveryjourneyisnotpleasantandthus, runningacompanysuccessfullyisalsonotaspleasantas wethink.Therearealwaysupsanddowns,becauseasa holisticviewitisacompanyandnotabusiness.

ForMubin,buildingacompanywaslikebeingonthe battleground.Asachallengehesawfinancialcrisis,getting therightpeopleforrightplaceandrightjob,findingexpert peoplewithinnovativeideas,andgettingtheinvestor. Mubinkeptongoingandtoday,KiranSmartisafirst HumanoidRobotSolutionsandServicescompanyin Kuwaithavingexistenceinmultiplelocation,providingIT servicestobusinessandhomeusers.

DevotedtoServeHumanity

Mubin’sfatherlatehajiNoortaughthimtoliveforothers andservehumanity.Oneoftheincidentsthatimpactedhis lifewasthecasewherehefoundaladywhowascryingfor themoneytodothetreatmentofherdaughter.Hewasjust achildandonlycouldunderstandthatsheisaskingfor money.Hehad50paisainhispockettobuyachocolatefor heryoungersister.Hecouldnotsaynototheladybecause hertearsbroughthimdownsoemotionalthathestarted weepingandgaveher50paisa.Theladyjustsawthecoin andsaid,“My son GOD will give you enough so that you can help others and GOD will make your heart big enough to help others.” Hecanneverforgetthisincident.

InnovationinRobotics

KiranSmartisintoInformationTechnology,Digital Transformation,Robotics,ArtificialIntelligence,and Fintech.Mubinisofthebeliefthatthesetechnologieswill playamajorrolepost-pandemic.Thus,ifbusinessesinany industryhavetosurvive,theywillneedtoimplement Robotics,Automation,andArtificialIntelligencetomake advancedhybridsolutionstosurviveinthefuture.

AtpresentKiranSmart’sRobotServicesareinclusiveof HumanoidRobots,ServicesRobots,DeliveryRobots, EducationalRobots,LogisticsRobots,PetRobots, DisinfectionRobots,CleaningRobots.Otherthanthisithas smartdigitalscreenswhichthecompanysellassolutions andalsorentsthemout.EvenforRobots,itprovidesthe solutionsandalsorentsouttherobotsinmulti-purposeuse, providingservicesgloballyaswell.

Atthesametime,Mubinisalsoworkingonthe“Riseof RoboticsGeneration”whereheistrainingchildrenabout robots,teachingaboutrobotsbutwithlivedemoonthe company’sdifferentmodelsofrobots.Hisvisionissimple forthenext5years–toberecognizedasoneofthebest brandserviceprovidersgloballyespeciallyintermsof RoboticsServices.

GoodNetworkforBusinessOpportunities

Mubinandhisteamgeneratejobsforeverycategorysothat peoplecouldsurviveandfeedtheirfamilies.Heandhis teamcreatejobsfordrivers,engineers,managers, supervisors,developers,skilledandunskilledlabor,waiters andwaitress,andcleaners.Also,hesharesthecompany profitonacertainpercentageascharityacrosstheworld wherethecommunityishelpingtosurvivetheirlife. Heislookingforagreatopportunitytochangetheworld intoasmartvillagebutofcoursetheremustbeagoodteam toexecuteitlikeinvestors,businessmen,entrepreneurs, partners,engineers,andalotmore,becauseheisworking ononeofhisprojectcalledROBO2050whereeveryhouse willhaveKiranSmart’srobots.

“Information Technology will be so advanced and if we don’t adopt ourselves in terms of business and personal life then we will be left alone to suffer.”

Mr.SamiSharif

AnEmbodimentofaProvenLeadership

Thepioneeringleadershipisacombinationof exemplaryskills,abilitiesandtalents.Tolead organizationsuccessfully,itisessentialforleaders tohavegoodamountofcompetence,asitplaysa significantroleinthesuccessoftheorganizationandits clients.Whenthesamecompetenceispairedwithstrong managerialandtechnicalskills,theresultsattainedare excellent.AnembodimentofsuchaleadershipisMr.Sami Sharif.HeistheCEOofKuwaitInsuranceCompany (KIC)since2016.

PriortoKIC,Mr.Sharifhasheldvariousleadershiprolesin differentrenownedcompanies.HeearnedhisBachelor’s DegreeinMathematicsandSpacePhysicsandaMaster’s DegreeinMathematicsbothfromtheUniversityof Houston–USA.Heworkedforseveralyearsasalecturer inmathematicsandstatisticsatthesameuniversity.Heisa FellowoftheSocietyofActuaries(FSA)intheUSAsince 1996andamemberoftheAmericanAcademyofActuaries (MAAA)since1993.Besides,healsohasanin-depth experienceinlife,health,andgeneralinsurance,and takaful.Hecarriesanimmenseknowledgeofstrategic managementconsultingcombinedwithsoundactuarial background.Healsohasin-depthexperienceinlaunching andleadingnewinsuranceoperationsindifferentcountries.

KIChasafulllineofconventionalandtakafulinsurance productsforcorporateandindividualscoveringgeneral insurance,lifeinsuranceandmoneyaccumulation.Ithas morethan200employeesand10branchesinKuwait.

BeingDrivenbyAchievement,InnovationandPeople Development

Mr.SharifisdrivenbyKIC’ssharedvaluesi.e. Achievement,InnovationandPeopleDevelopment.He mentionsthatthecompanycaresforitsstaff,shareholders, andclients.Itadherestoasetofvalues.

KIC’svisionistobethefastestgrowingcompanyin Kuwaitandtoexpandgeographically.Itaspirestobethe companyofchoiceforpersonalandcommercialinsurance productsandservices.Itaimstobethefastestandthe simplestindeliveringitsservicesandthemostadvancedin usingtechnology.Itenvisionstobethecompanyofchoice foremployment.AlltheeffortsofMr.Samiareinthe directiontowardsachievingthisgoal.

KIC’smissionistoprovideitsclientswiththemost competitiveproductsintermsofbenefits,valuesand services,toprovideitsdistributionchannelswithstate-ofthe-artservices,toinvestondevelopingitsstaff,andtobea schoolofinsuranceandmanagement.Besides,thecompany alsobelievesinbeingsales-drivenandinachievingitssales target.Itbelievesindifferentiatingitselfwithinnovative Products&Services,DistributionChannels,and Technology.ItbelievesinitspeopletoexhibitKnowledge, Leadership,andCommunication&InterpersonalSkills.

Having

AdvantageofExperiencedStaff

Talkingaboutthechallenges,Mr.SharifsharesthatKIC hadtodealwithachallengeofpoliticalrisksincethearea isinflamedwithmanypoliticalproblemsthatleadtosome businessinstabilityintheregion.Maintainingthesizeof theportfoliowasamajorchallengeforKIC.

KICisthefirstinsurancecompanyinKuwaitandtheGCC. Ithastheadvantageofkeepingexperiencedstaffwhohave beenwiththecompanyfordecades.Takingsomeofthekey stafftothemostadvancedwaystorunabusiness,in particulartherelianceontechnology,wasachallengethat theyenjoyedthestagestoovercomeit.

BeingInfluencedbyWorkingwithGreatPeople

Mr.Sharifisanex-consultantwithMcKinsey&Co.thathe considershisbestschool.Hestillcherishesthedayshe

workedforMckinsey,thepeopleheworkedwith,andthe leadersthatheworkedundersuchasMr.DominicBarton. Inaddition,hehasworkedwithpeoplewhohadagreat influenceonhim,like:

Ÿ HismathematicsprofessorDr.KlausKaiseratUniversity ofHouston.

Ÿ HisspacephysicsprofessorDr.BeringatUniversityof Houston.

Ÿ HisfirstactuarialmanagerMr.MarcPitoniacwhotaught mehowtosurviveunderanyworkchallenges.

Ÿ Mr AbbasKhalaf,RegionalpresidentofALICO, MEASARegionwhotaughthimleadership.

Ÿ Mr.BarryJacobson,PresidentofACELife(nowChubb) agreatleader

Ÿ Mr.GhaziAbuNahl,PresidentofNestInvestmentshard workandperseverance.

EvaluatingEmployeesObjectivelyandCompensating themFairly

Mr.SharifhascreatedapositiveenvironmentatKICwhere everyonethrives.Thecompanystronglybelievesinthe well-beingofitsemployees.Itstronglyencourages educationandpaysalleducationexpensestoitsemployees. Moreover,itcreatedthefirstcompanykitchenrunbya professionalcheftoprovidedailyhealthymealstoitsstaff atminimumcharges.Itcreatedanurseryatworktohelp motherswithbabykids,age0-5atnocharge.Ithasa thorough360systemtoevaluateitsemployeesobjectively andtocompensatethemfairly.ItestablishedKICacademy toofferprofessionalcoursesandtrainingtoitsstaff.

StrikingaBalancebetweenPeopleSafetyandBusiness Safety

WhenCovid-19pandemicarrived,ithaditsprosandcons ontheinsuranceindustryasawhole.However,Mr.Sharif seesmoreprosthancons.Thewayofdoingbusiness becamemoretechnology-driven,astechnologyisakey successfactorforallindustriesincludinginsurance.

AKICputsabalancebetweenpeoplesafetyandbusiness safety Assuch,itwaspresentandfunctionalinitsmarket.

ContributingtoCommunitywithWelfareServices

Whenitcomestogivingbacktothecommunity,KIC alwaysstandstall.Onalmostmonthlybasis,itruns differentcampaignsExamples:

Ÿ CleaningthebeachinKuwait

Ÿ BloodDonationcampaign

Ÿ Brestcancerawarenesscampaign

Ÿ Diabetesawarenesscampaign

BeingPeoplePersonandExpandingRobustly

Mr.SharifadvisesaspiringandemergingCEOsinthe insuranceindustrytoworkontheirtechnicaland managerialskills.Hetellsthemtolearntheessenceof leadershipandcultivateahealthylifestyle.Heasksthemto berough,tough,butreasonable.

Besides,healsoadvisesthemtobepeopleperson,havea largeconnectioninindustry,andtoavoidarroganceand givesmiletoeveryone.

The Break from the ORTHODOX LEADERSHIP

Thereisasaying,"becomethebestversionof

ourselves."Well,whatdoesittaketobecomeone? Itisthebreakfromtheordinary,challenging orthodoxthinking,andcomingoutasthebestversionof ourselves.Itappliesthesameinleadership;today,itisthe breakfromorthodoxleadership,whichweneedwith innovativeideas.Whatelsefollowsinthejourneyofa leader?Let'shavealookthroughthisarticle.

Long-lastingLeadership

Thewilltolearnnewthingsbycollaboratingwiththe expertsofthatparticularfieldexpandstheknowledgeofthe businessleaders.Whilewemayagreethateveryone's journeyinlifeisdifferent,itfollowsyoutilltheendonce youchoose.Buttheendgoalistomakeanimpactinthe lifeofothers,beitintheformofbusiness,sports,politics, entertainment,oranyotherniche.And,whenitcomesto business,thereisapositionwhereassisting,motivating, andimpactingthelivesofothersistheresponsibilityofthe businessleader-CEO.ThedecisionstakenbyaCEOcan haveahugeimpactontheorganization'slifeandthe people.

TheCEOIngredients

WhenwespeakabouttheCEO,whatarethemust-have qualitiestowatchoutfor?Theprimaryaspectcomesfrom knowingtosolvetheproblemsoftheemployeesandthe company Theteam'ssupporthelpstheCEOincritical timesandwithoutateamplayer,onecannotsucceedin businessoranyotherfield.Therestofthequalitiescomes frommaintainingaculturethatisworthinspiringand following.

TheCEOisthemostappropriateandresponsiblepersonfor meetingtheneedsoftheemployeesandthecompany The ideas,decisions,andculturesetbytheCEOmakethe companyshineineverysituation.He/sheisinvolvedin everymanagementdecisionandisthepersonwho understandstheclientsandtheemployee'sneeds.He/she

alsoactsasamediatorwhodigsdeepintoeveryproblemof allthecompanylevels,astheCEOisinvolvedinseveral meetingsrightfromtheemployeetothecompanygrowth. ThereisnosingledecisiontakenwithoutaCEO;asa matteroffact,he/sheisthefaceofthemanagement.

ThereisalotofvalueforintegrityinthelifeofaCEO becauseyouhavetoprovidehonestrecommendationsand instructionineverypartoftheorganization.Additionally, beingawareofthemarketupdatesandknow-howcomes naturally,asyougottobethebestinbusinessfortheteam andthecompany.Lastly,promotinginclusivityand diversityintheorganizationmakestheorganizationaplace tothrive.

WhereareweNowandtheFuture

Today,weseemoreintelligentCEOswithapositiveand freshapproachenteringthebusinessarena,breakingthe trendoforthodoxleadership.Withtheirinnovative thinking,companiesareresultinginmoreinnovative practices.TheCEOisbringingthetransformationand successfullymeetingalltheexpectationsfromtheclientsto theemployees.Ultimately,onlylivinguptothesevalues canbringtheoveralltransformationintheindustry.

ThejourneyoftheCEOisnodoubtchallengingbutlooking attheresults,itisallworthyintheend.Inaworldfullof transformation,itisbesttobalancebothtechnologyand compassion.Itwillleadusalltoabetterfuture,wherewe ashumanscannurtureandprogressevenmore,makingthe worldabetterplacetoliveforusall.

Lastly,withthis,let'sallhopethatwelivealifefullof compassionandkindnesswhatevertimewehaveonearth. Afterall,itshouldnotalwaysbeaboutthebusinessand profitbutalsoaboutcreatingaworldofopportunities, whereallthepeoplefeelincluded.And,beingaCEO,it becomeshis/herroletoleadallsuchpeoplewiththebest skillset.

Thomas A. Bock

MD, MBA, CEO

Notable

Thomas A. Bock A

Recognized Life-Science Leader Developing a New Class of Oncology Medicines

Recentadvancesinscienceandtechnologyhave

resultedinaneweraofmoretargetedtherapiesfor manydiseases.Theseadvanceshavematerialized forpatients,resultingissometrulytransformative treatments,thankstothetalentanddedicationofthelife sciencescommunity

Meetonesuchlife-scienceleaderwhohasdevelopedand commercializedsixlifesavingparadigm-changing blockbustermedicinesincancer,ultra-raredisorders,and inflammation,andwhohasbuiltfourentrepreneurial organizationsthatcreatedamajorimpactforbothpatients andinvestors.-ThomasA.Bock,MD,MBA,andCEOat Notable.

Inspiredbyhiswork,weat Insights Success hada conversationwithThomastoknowmoreabouthisjourney andhowNotableistransformingthewaycanceristreated.

Below are the highlights of the interview:

Giveusabriefoverviewofyourpositionatthe company,andyourjourneysinceinception. IjoinedNotableasanIndependentBoardDirectorin2020 andthenstartedservingastheCEOinFebruary2021.At thattimeourcompanywasknownforourpredictive technologyplatformdevelopedtohelpphysicians determinewhichcancertreatmentsaremosteffectivefor theirindividualpatients.

Today,wearebeginningtoleverageNotable'sleadershipin predictivetechnologytodevelopcancertreatmentsfocused onindividualpatientswhoweknowwillrespondtoa specifictreatment.Myroleistodriveourorganizationtoa leadingprecisiontherapeuticscompanybycreatinganew classofprecisionmedicines– predictive precision medicines.

Pleasedescribethetechnologythatmakesyour companystandoutfromthecompetition.

Notable'spredictivetechnologycombinesmachine learning,laboratoryautomation,andhighthroughput screeningdirectlyonpatientbloodsamplestopredict responsestotherapieswitha92%accuracy.Overthepast years,wecreatedauniqueandcontinuouslygrowing libraryofoptimized(outofmillionsofoptions)platform conditionsandpredictivedataacrossapprovedand investigationalcancertreatments.Thisenablesustofocus onthemostpromisingcandidatemedicinesanddevelop themaspredictiveprecisionmedicinessolelyinclinically respondingpatients.Patientbypatient.Cancerbycancer

Whatisyouropinionontheadvancementsofbusinesses toimprovetheirofferingswithnewertechnological developments?

Notablerepresentsthenextgenerationofpredictive precisionmedicinesforpatientswithcancer,basedonthe emergenceofnewtechnology.Ourplatformcanpredictan individual'sclinicalresponsetocancertreatmentfroma bloodsampletaken before beginningtreatmentwitha92% accuracy.Iamproudofhowourproprietarytechnology addressesthequestionthatmattersmosttopatients,yet previouslycouldnotbeanswered:"Doctor,willthis treatmentworkforme?"

Whatisyourthoughtonthenecessityofapositivework culture?Inwhatwaysdoyouimplementitatyour organization?

Notable'scultureextendsfromitscoremissionof redefiningtreatmentforpeoplewithcancer.Forus,the patientmattersmost.Thismeansthatwenotonlypursue transformativemedicalimpactbutalso,proceed responsiblyandwiththesenseofurgencythatpatients deserve.Ourteamisspearheadingtherapeuticsolutionsat theinterfaceoftherapeutics,diagnostics,andengineering.

Scientists,engineers,andexpertsfrommanyfieldswork togethercloselyandalsobuildoffoftheinsightsandideas fromeachother Theyworkhandinhand,peertopeerina uniqueandcollaborativeapproach.Leadingthispatientfocusedandintegrativecultureiskeytoaninnovative environment,andIbelieveitisbecauseofthisthatwehave beenabletorecruitandretaintoptalentacrossindustries.

Inwhatwayshaveyouoryourcompanycontributedto thecommunity?Ifgivenachance,whatchangewould youbringincreatinga"communityofhealthy business"?

Today,mostcancertreatmentsdeliveronlymodestclinical responseratesandfailforthemajorityofpatients,exposing themtoineffectivetherapiesandunnecessarysideeffects andtoxicities.Notable'smissionofdeliveringpredictive precisionmedicinethatworksforeachcancerpatient,and reducingunnecessarysideeffects,makesanimportant impactforthecommunity Thesetypesofadvanceswill revolutionizetreatmentforpeoplewithcancer

Whatisthebestwaytomeettoday's/tomorrow's challengeswithyourcompany'sexceptionalproducts andservicesforurgentneedscomingourway?

Inordertocreatethestreamofpredictivemedicinesthat patientscanrelyonwiththeurgencytheydeserve,itis criticalthatwecontinuetocollaboratewithindustry partnersandacademia.Havingdevelopedand commercializedmedicinesforcancerandrarediseasesfor morethantwentyyears,Iknowthatmanymedicinescan deliverahugemedicalimpactbutunfortunatelyonlyfora smallsubpopulationofthepatientswhoreceivethem. Wehavecreatedaplatformthatreproducesthehuman cancercellmicroenvironmentthatcanbeusedtotest cancertherapies,patientbypatient,witha92%accuracy,

beforetheyreceivetreatment.Thankstoourplatformand itspredictionaccuracy(asreportedbyStanford University*),wecannowengagewithprospectivepartners toco-developandlicensesuchtransformativemedicines solelyfocusedonrespondingpatients.Patientscanbe confidentthattheirtreatmentwillworkforthem,andour lifesciencespartnersbenefitfromafasterdevelopment speedandahigherlikelihoodofsuccess.

*Source:MichaelA.Spinner,…,PeterL.Greenberg;Ex vivodrugscreeningdefinesnoveldrugsensitivitypatterns forinformingpersonalizedtherapyinmyeloidneoplasms. BloodAdv2020;4(12):2768–2778.

AsanestablishedCEO,whatwouldbeyouradviceto thebuddingentrepreneursaspiringtoventureintothe industry?

Beabletopivotquicklytotakeadvantageofemerging opportunities,expectbumpsanddetoursalongtheway,and mostimportantly,staytruetoyourcorevalues.Whenyou developproductsforpatients,proceedwithextraurgency andcare.

Howdoyouenvisionsustainingyourcompany's competencyinacutthroatandvolatileworldof Security?Wheredoyouseeyourselfandthecompany inthenextfiveyears?

Partofourintegrativecultureistobeexternallyfocused andequallyseizeopportunitiesandaddresschallengeswith thebestpossibleapproaches.Challengesmakeusstronger andwillexpediteourvisionofdeliveringastreamof predictiveprecisionmedicineandredefiningthestandardof care,alwaysensuringthebestpossibleoutcomesfor patients.Patientbypatient.Diseasebydisease.

Each patient is notable and can benefit from a predictive precision medicine that works for them. “ “

Thomas P. Shivers CEO and President

Partners

Thomas Shivers

A Relentless Leader with a Progressive Approach

Relentlessleaderssetdirectionstomakeideasinto reality.Theyfocusonproducingideasthathave practicalimplicationsforthem.Whatmakesthem standoutfromtherestistheirabilitytolistentotheirteam andrecognizetheeffectivenessoftheirofferings.Onesuch pioneerofrelentlessleadershipisThomasP.Shivers,who hasbeenconsistentlyrecognizedasanindustryleaderfor hisconstantfocusonresults,accountability,andpractical application.

Withover25yearsofexecutiveandentrepreneurial experienceintheworkers’compensationmanagedcare marketplace,Tomhasbeeninstrumentalinshapingthe industry AstheCEOandPresidentatFourStone Partners,hehascreatedauniqueconsultingfirmthathas beenwidelypraisedforitsinnovation,effectiveness,and efficiency.

We,atInsightsSuccess,caughtupwithTomtounveilhis entrepreneurialjourneyandhowFourStonePartnersis optimizingtheperformanceofbusinesses.

AnEntrepreneurialJourney

TomfoundedFourStoneasastartupthathasnowgrown intoanationalorganization.Thefirmstartedwithoutany privateequitymoney;FourStonehasbeenself-fundedsince itsinception.

Alongtheway,Tomhasmetgreatpeopleandgreatclients who,inonewayoranother,havecontributedatremendous

amountoflearningexperienceforhim.Ithasbeenan incrediblejourneyforTom,andthereisyetmoretocome.

TheValuesThatOptimizePerformance

FourStonehascontinueditsexpertiseintheworkers’ compensationindustryandcommercializinghealthcare productswithauniqueapproach.Tomhascentered FourStonearoundpracticalapplicationandcollaboration. Hefocuseshistimeandattentiononpracticalapplication thathelpsclientsmaximizetheiropportunitiesbasedon whattrulyworksanddevelopsimplementableand actionablestrategies.

Tombelievesinlesstheoryandmorepracticalactions.In hisopinion,whatdifferentiatesFourStonefromits competitorsisthatitprovidesitsclientswithimpactful strategiesandthenexecutesthemontheirbehalf.

SculptingStrongLeadership

FromtheperspectiveofTom,impactfulleadershipis collaborativeinnature,anditisalsoneveraskinganyoneto doanythingthatyouwon'tdoyourself.Aleaderneedstobe accountableforthedecisionsofhisorherteam.

ThepersonalphilosophyofTomis 'everybody in the room is the smartest person in the room based on the subject.' He implementsthesameatFourStone.Thisway,thebestidea wins,nomatterwhocreatesthatidea.Thisallowspeopleto beattheirbestselveswithoutanyfearandexpresstheir

‘‘

We are a high energy, high intensity, results driven organization that fully engages with our clients to optimize performance.

‘‘

pointofview,thoughts,andideasonthesubject.Atsome point,theseideasandcanbeembracedandmovedforward. Overall,thisempowerspeopletofeelfreeandnotbeafraid tomakemistakes.Thisapproachwillunlocktheir maximumpotentialinthelongterm.

Inaddition,Tomalsobelievesthathumilityisanessential traitforaleader ACEOshouldbeopentonewideasand understandthateverycolleaguebringstheirknowledgeto thebusiness.Itiscrucialtobeabletolisten.Ontheflipside ofbeingahumbleleaderisbeingrelentlessinpursuing goalsandsuccess.

Tomsays, "I've got a team of employees that count on me to be very good at my job. So, I have to be really good at my job for them. And I feel like one of the traits that I have that has allowed me to succeed is that sort of relentlessness and tenacity. If you combine that with humility and behaving honorably, I think it creates a nice culture. And I think the culture at our firm is something we're very proud of.”

AHealthyWorkCulture

Whenaskedaboutmaintainingpositiveworkcultureat FourStone,Tomsays, "I don't think you can overvalue a positive work environment and a positive work culture. I think it's incredibly paramount to the success of a firm long term. We take an immense amount of pride in the culture that we have.”

ThecultureatFourStoneiscollaborative,competitive,and family-orientedthatprioritizesperformanceandtakingcare ofeachother Thecultureisalsobaseduponpractical application;theteamatthefirmtreatsthemselveslikethey treatitsclients.Thereisn'tanytheory,esoteric, unquantifiablesortofmissionorgoal.Whenpeoplebring ideastothetableforthefirmortheclients,theyhavetobe basedonpracticalapplication,focusingonrealworld solutionsthatcanbetrackedandmanaged.

Tomandhisteamarefearlessandtenaciouswhen implementingnewthings.Theyaren'tafraidtoquickly makeeducateddecisionstorolloutnewproductsand enhanceexistingproducts.Theyworkcollaboratively,both internallyandwiththeirclientsandotherconstituents.The teamtakesmuchprideinhowtheypresentthemselvesto oneanotherandtheirclientsandindustry.

TheHighsandLowsofPandemic

FourStonemanagedtosurviveandexperienceaslight growthduringthepandemicbecauseofitsdiversified portfolio.Someofitsproductsandservicesdidsuffer,but someofthemcouldmaintainandgrow.

Culturally,thepandemicaffectedFourStonethemostas everyonehadtoundergoaremoteworkculture.The companyimplementedsomevirtualmodelsforsomeofits productsandservicesinabrieftimeframe.Italsomeantto

trusttheteamtodotherightthingandworktherightway Fortunately,Tomhasspentmuchtimeonhiringbasedupon character Thishelpedthefirmwhenitwentremoteandhad todothingsdifferentlyovernight;thehiringphilosophy provedsuccessfulastheentireteamadjustedremarkably well.

Tomopinesthatitwascrucialtoadapttothecircumstances. Theperformanceofthecompanyinmanywayshas exceededexpectations. Infact,someoftheFourStone Teamwillcontinuetoworkfromhomepost-pandemic.

TechnologicalAspectstoMoveAhead

Technologyhasplayedsuchanincredibleroleinthe evolutionofhowcompaniesfunctionduringthispandemic, andTomdoesn'tthinkthat'severgoingtorollitselfback.It willgetmoreimportantmovingforward.

HeadingIntoNewHorizon

Tomhasanabsolutevisionoforganicgrowth,whichisa challengingroad,andhethinksinthefutureFourStonewill alsogrowthroughacquisition.Thecompanyisactively lookingatsomepotentialacquisitiontargets.Thefirm wouldalsoliketodiversifyandexpandtheservicesthatit offerstoitsclients.

WordsofWisdomforAspiringEntrepreneurs

Inhisadvicetoupcomingentrepreneurs,Tomsays, "Be absolutely relentless in your pursuit of success. Listen to people who know more than you, surround yourself with the best team that you can find that has complementary skills to yours, and allow them full opportunity to help grow the company with their own expertise and spirit”.