Top Visionary LEADERS to Watch in 2025
Pg. 24
How Savvy Founders Source Top-Notch Supplies Without Burning Cash
Stop Marrying Your First Idea: How Strategic Detachment Creates Breakthrough Wins Pg. 34
Pg. 42
The Unpolished Story That Builds Your Influence
Readers,
Intherelentlesschurnofthedigitalage,it’seasytomistakenoiseforprogress.True vision,however,isaquieter,morepotentforce.It’snotaboutchasingthelatesttrend,but aboutunderstandingthedeepcurrentsofchangeandbuildingsomethingoflastingvalue attheintersectionoftechnology,strategy,andhumanpurpose.Themosteffectiveleadersinthisspace arenotjustdisruptors;theyareintegrators,capableofbringingclaritytochaos.Itisthisbrandof thoughtful,impactfulleadershipthatweexploreinourspecialissue,DigitalVisionaries:Top VisionaryLeaderstoWatchin2025.
Ourcoverstory,SharoldPalmer,FounderandChiefVisionOfficerofSevenPalmsConsultancy,is theverydefinitionofthismodernleader.Herextensivecareer,includingapivotalroleasHeadof DigitalPublishingattheFinancialTimes,gavehera360-degreemasteryofthedigital ecosystem—fromproductdevelopmenttocommercialstrategy.Buthervisiongoesbeyondmetricsand revenuestreams.Herinfluentialworkco-leadingtheFT’sraceandethnicitynetworkdemonstratesa corebeliefthatsustainablegrowthisinclusivegrowth.Now,throughSevenPalms,shechannelsthis holisticexpertiseintohelpingorganizationsnavigatetheirowndigitaltransformations,notwithbrute force,butwithacalmstrengthandapurpose-ledapproach.Shedoesn’tjustbuilddigitalplatforms;she buildsaclearpathforward.
Thiseditionalsohighlightsotherleaderswhoareshapingthedigitalfuturewiththeirownunique brandofforesight.WefeaturetheessentialmarketanalysisofPaulNashawatyatSiliconANGLE& theCUBEResearch;thedata-drivenstrategiesofChananZevin,CEOofInsightfulDataTechnologies; theinnovativeworkforcesolutionsofAqeelAbbas,CEOofWorkStaff360;andthecreative technologicalframeworksbuiltbyRuiMartins,CEOandFounderofROUNDB.
Theleadersprofiledinthesepagesprovethatthemostpowerfulvisionisonegroundedinclarityand purpose.Theyarenotjustbuildingforthenextquarter;theyarearchitectingamoreintelligent, efficient,andinclusivedigitalfutureforusall.Theyremindusthattheultimategoaloftechnologyis notjusttobenew,buttobemeaningful.
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“
Leadership doesn’t have to be loud, quiet power is still power, and actions often speak louder than words.
Founder & Chief
Vision Officer
Seven Palms
Consultancy
Intheworldofdigitalstrategy,leadershipisoften associatedwithlouddisruption.SharoldPalmer, theFounderandChiefVisionOfficerofSeven PalmsConsultancy,hasbuiltherreputationonaquieter, morepotentprinciple: that the most sustainable innovation comes from a place of calm strength, clear thinking, and deep purpose.Herworktodayisabout helpingorganizationsnavigatethecomplexitiesofthe digitalage,notwithbruteforce,butwithanuanced understandingofhowstrategy,technology,andhumanity mustconnecttocreatelastingvalue.
SevenPalmsConsultancywasbornfromadesireto workdifferently Afterasuccessfulcorporatecareer, Sharoldenvisionedamoreagile,purpose-drivenfirmthat couldserveasastrategicpartner,helpingbusinessesgain clarityinanincreasinglychaoticenvironment.Thisvision istheresultofovertwentyyearsofexperienceduringthe digitalrevolution.Throughoutthistime,shelearnedhow toeffectivelybalancecommercialobjectiveswithastrong commitmenttoinclusivegrowth.
Sharold’scareerbeganinthenascentdaysofthedot.com boom,givingherafront-rowseattotheseismicshifts thattechnologywasbringingtotheworldofpublishing. Sheworkedacrosseditorial,production, technology,design,marketingandcommercialteams, watchingastheoldmodelsofcommunicationandcontent consumptionweredismantledandrebuilt.Thisearly experiencegaveheraholisticunderstandingofhow technology,content,andcustomerbehaviorare inextricablylinked,afoundationthatwouldprove invaluableinhersubsequentroles.
Duringherseventeen-yeartenureattheFinancialTimes, SharoldrosetobecometheHeadofDigitalPublishing fortheFTSpecialistdivision.Inthisrole,shewasatrue digitalstrategist,aleaderresponsiblefortheevolutionof platformsthatservedaglobalB2BaudienceofC-suite executives,policymakers,andinternationalinvestors. Thestakeswerehigh.Sheledbrilliantteams,managed multi-million-poundrevenuestreams,andduring typicallydifficultmarketconditions,supportedover £2millioninadvertisingrevenuethroughsophisticated commercialvideoandaudiocampaigns,whichwere deliveredbothlocallyandonthegroundglobally.Inone notablesuccess,shedrovea160%increaseinproduct subscriptions,apivotalachievementthatcontributedto theeventualacquisitionofthebusiness.
Shehaddevelopedafluencyintheentirelanguageof digitalbusiness,fromthearchitectureofaproducttothe nuanceofamarketingcampaign,andsheunderstoodhow tomakeitprofitable.
Inadditiontohercommercialachievements,another currentwasrunningthroughherprofessionallife.Asthe Co-LeadofFTEmbrace,theFinancialTimes’raceand ethnicitynetwork,shefoundherselfchannelingher strategicskillstowardadifferentkindofgrowth.This initiativewasnotseparatefromhermainresponsibilities; rather,thetwopathsraninparallel.Here,too,shewas creatingplatformsandbuildingcommunity,onlythe currencywasvisibilityandopportunity.Shemanagedover twentyinitiatives,includingalandmarkprojectthat establishedthefirstBlackBusinessMarketplaceatthe FT’sheadquarters.Itwasinthefusionofthesetwo realms—high-stakescommercialstrategyand purpose-drivencommunitybuilding—thattheblueprintfor hernextchapterbegantotakeshape.
Afteryearsofnavigatingcomplexdigitaltransformations attheFinancialTimes,Sharoldbegantonoticearecurring patternintheindustry. “I realized that many organizations, especially those navigating change, struggled with product clarity and digital direction,” sherecalls.Theyoftenfelt overwhelmedbycomplexity,caughtincyclesof overthinking,orunabletoleveragetheirownmomentum. Thisobservationrevealedagapinthemarketfora strategicadvisorwhowasnotonlycommerciallysavvybut alsodeeplyhumanintheirapproach.
Thus,SevenPalmsConsultancywasborn.Sharold imaginedadifferentkindofpartnership,onewhereshe couldbeatrueallyintheroom,notjustaconsultantonthe payroll.Foundingherowncompanyalsogaveherthe opportunitytoembedthethingsshecaredaboutmost, equity,responsibleinnovation,andsupportingsocialgood, intotheveryDNAofthebusiness.
SevenPalmsoffersstrategicconsultingacrossarangeof criticalareas,whichSharoldhasneatlyencapsulatedinthe acronymPALMS:ProductInnovation,AITransformation, Leadership,Multimedia,andStakeholders.Whatmakes thefirm’sapproachdifferentisitsabilitytomovebetween high-levelstrategyandpracticalexecution. “We don’t just advise, we co-create and iterate,” sheexplains.
Thefirmisalsooneofthefewconsultanciesofits sizethatbringsdeep,livedexperienceinboththe traditionsoflegacypublishingandthefast-moving worldofemergingtechnologieslikeAI.This hybridexpertiseallowshertotranslatecomplex shifts,whethertechnological,cultural,or organizational,intopractical,actionablenextsteps forherclients.And,crucially,everyprojectis approachedthroughaninclusive,people-firstlens, consideringtheimpactoncustomers,employees, andthewidercommunitiesherclientsserve.
Herclientsaretypicallyfounders,productleads, andleadershipteamswhoareatacritical inflectionpoint,suchasarelaunch,a repositioning,oraperiodofrapidgrowth.Their challengesareoftencomplexandinterconnected. Theymightbedealingwithinternalmisalignment, alackofclearmessagingfortheirproducts, inefficientdevelopmentcyclesthatslowthem down,orthedisruptiveimpactofAIontheir businessmodel.Increasingly,theybringherinto helpembedequityandinclusionmorethoughtfully intotheirinnovationstrategies,notasareactive add-on,butasacoredesignprinciple.
“ You don’t need permission to lead or to innovate but you do need clarity, intention, and a genuine enjoyment of the work.
Sharold’sprocessforhelpingthese organizationsfindawayforwardwhen transformationfeelsoverwhelmingisone ofdistillation. “We always start by listening, really understanding the root issue behind the surface-level pain,” she says. “Then we simplify and prioritize.” Sheprovidesstructurewherethereischaos andaclearstorywherethereisconfusion, allowingteamstofinallyunderstandthe “why” behindtheirwork,makingitmuch easiertounitebehindthe “how.”
Astheleaderofherownfirm,Sharold enjoysthevarietyandfluidityofherdays. Adaymightincludeamixofclient strategysessions,writingthought leadershippieces,andplanningthenext phaseofthebusiness. “I enjoy the ability to switch between the big picture and the small details,” “That, and the shesays. fact I get to work with people who are curious, ambitious, and open to doing things differently.” Seeingthings“click” forherclients,shenotes,bringsagreat dealofsatisfaction.
Herjourneyhasnotbeenwithoutits challenges. “I’ve often found myself in spaces where I was the ‘only’; the only woman, the only person of color, or the only one offering an alternative perspective,” “That can be shereflects. isolating, but it’s also sharpened my ability to speak up and see patterns others might miss.” Stayinggroundedinhervalueshas beenheranchorthroughtheseexperiences.
Shedoesnothaveasingle,fixedmantra fortoughtimes,butreliesonperspective andpractice.Sheisconsciousthatwhile herworkismeaningful,sheisnotsaving lives.Thisunderstandingallowsherto approachchallengeswithasenseofcalm. Meditationhasbecomeausefultool, helpingherstaycenteredandproductive, especiallywhennavigatingtherapidshifts inAIandmanagingthepaceofher growingbusiness.
Sharold’sleadershipphilosophyisareflectionofher personality:thoughtful,intentional,andquietlyconfident.
“Leadershipdoesn’thavetobeloud,”sheasserts.
“Quietpowerisstillpower,andactionsoftenspeak louderthanwords.”Herapproachisgroundedin somethingmorefundamental: Thesimple, respect non-negotiableactoftreatingpeoplewithcare,honesty, andfairness.
SincefoundingSevenPalms,Sharoldhasfoundanew waytomeasureachievement.Whilesheisproudofthe commerciallysuccessfuloutcomesshehasdelivered throughouthercareer,launchingnewcommercial propositions,overseeingplatformmigrations,and supportingbusinessacquisitions,herfocusnowison buildingavalues-driven,commerciallyfocusedbusiness.
SharoldisespeciallyproudthatSevenPalmshasstayed truetoitspurpose-ledmission.Thecompanygives 7%ofitsrevenuetocharitablecauses,atangible commitmenttoitsvalues.Sheactivelypushesherclients tothinkmorebroadlyabouttheirimpact,consideringnot justwhattheybuild,buthowandforwhomtheyare buildingit.HerrecentresearchexplorationintoAIethics andinclusiveinnovationisparticularlymeaningfultoher, representingacommitmenttoshapingamoreresponsible technologicalfuture.
Lookingahead,SevenPalmsisfocusedondeepeningitsimpact.Thefirmiscurrentlydevelopinga setofdigitaldiagnostictoolstohelporganizationsquicklyassesstheirinnovationreadiness,clarity ofpurpose,anddigitalpositioning.SharoldisalsoexpandinghercollaborationswithAI researchers,EDIspecialists,andimpact-drivenorganizationsglobally,withinternational collaborationsonthehorizon.
Beyondherwork,Sharoldisintentionalabouthowsheinvestshertimeandenergy Asafellowof theRSA(RoyalSocietyforArts,ManufacturesandCommerce),shetakesanactiveinterestin societalissues.Sheisdeeplyconnectedtoherfamily,friends,thearts,andcommunitywork.She lovestotravel,attendthetheatre,andread.Shepracticesyogaandplaystennis.Andshehas recentlypickedupaninstrumentfromherchildhood:thesteelpans.Shealsodedicatestimeto mentoringandsupportingyoungerprofessionals,apracticesheseesasawaytogivebackandstay connectedtothefuture.
Sharold’sfinalmessagetoaspiringleadersisadistillationofherownjourney.Itisaquietcallto action,groundedinself-awarenessandintegrity “Embody kindness, stay curious, and keep learning,” sheadvises. “You don’t need permission to lead or to innovate, but you do need clarity, intention, and a genuine enjoyment of the work. When you enjoy what you do, it shows, and it sustains you.”
www.sevenpalms.group
www.workstaff360.com
www.aizevin.com
www.siliconangle.com
www.roundb.pt
www.sevenpalms.group
Weareexcitedtofeature AqeelAbbas,CEOof WorkStaff360,inour latesteditionof “CEOs of Tomorrow: The Top 20 Visionaries Leading the Way to Watch in 2025.” Avisionary entrepreneurdedicatedtotransforming howexecutivesandbusinessesmanage theirtime,Aqeelhashelpedcountless businessleadersoptimizetheir operationsthroughexpertlyvettedvirtual assistants,allowingthemtofocuson strategy,innovation,andgrowth.
UnderAqeel’sleadership,WorkStaff360 hasbecomeamarketleaderinremote staffing/virtualstaffing,helping companiesstreamlinetheirprocesses withoutthechallengesoftraditional hiring..Hisvisionistoenable businessestosaveover80%on employeecostswhilemaintainingtoptierqualityandefficiency.Bybridging thegapbetweenbusinessesandskilled offshoretalent,heremovestheburdens ofrecruitment,payroll,andmanagement, ensuringseamlessbusinessoperations.
AsTorontocontinuestoestablishitself asaglobaltechpowerhouse, WorkStaff360isattheforefrontofthis transformation.Thecity’svibrant ecosystem,hometoover2,000startups, hasshapedthecompany’sgrowth, allowingAqeeltoleverageglobaltalent andcutting-edgetechnologytoredefine productivity
ThisprofileexploresAqeelAbbas’s journey—fromanoverwhelmed entrepreneurtoaleaderinbusiness efficiency—andhowWorkStaff360is redefiningproductivityintoday’s competitivelandscape.
FromOverwhelmedEntrepreneur toEfficiencyArchitect
Justasabuilding’sfoundation determinesitsstrength,aleader’s backgroundshapestheirvision.To trulyunderstandWorkStaff360,one mustfirstlearnaboutAqeelAbbas. Hisjourneyisnotbasedonabstract theoriesbutgroundedinreal-world businessownership.
“Iwasrunningmultiple businesses,”Mr Aqeelexplains. “Duringthisventure,Irealized thatmanagingeverythingonyour owncanbeoverwhelming.”
Hisacademicbackgroundincludes executivestudiesatHarvard BusinessSchoolfocusedondigital marketingandtechnologyventures, alongwithanMBAfromCOMSATS UniversityIslamabadanda commercedegreefromthe UniversityofPunjab.Whilehis educationequippedhimwith valuableknowledge,itwashis hands-onexperiencethatsparkedthe ideaforWorkStaff360.
TheBirthofWorkStaff360:Solving theCEOTimeCrunch
Theyearwas2020.Theworldwas rapidlyshifting,andtheneedfor flexiblebusinesssolutionswas becomingevermoreapparent.Aqeel Abbasrecognizedthisshiftand, drawingfromhisownexperiences, tooktheinitiativetolaunchMetaWork Solution,anoutsourcingcompanybuilt onastraightforwardpremise:toease theburdenofrepetitivetasksfor businessowners.
“Thoserepetitivetasksandendless adminworkdrainyourtimeand energy,”hestatesplainly,“leavingyou stuckintheweedswhenyoushould befocusingonthebigpicture.”
By2023,MetaWorkSolutionhad evolvedandrebrandeditselfas WorkStaff360.Thisnewname encapsulatedthecompany’score mission:providingcomprehensive staffingsolutionsthatfreeupbusiness leaderstoconcentrateontheir priorities.Thevisionwasclear:to “redefinebusinessefficiency”by connectingbusinessesworldwidewith skilledvirtualassistants.Thisapproach wasnotmerelyaboutfillingpositions; itaimedtotransformhowbusinesses operate,allowingthemto“grabevery opportunitywithease,andfocuson whattrulymatters.”
BeyondBasicOutsourcing: SpecializationandMonitored Performance
Inamarketsaturatedwithoutsourcing andvirtualassistantservices, WorkStaff360carvesauniquepath. “Wearenotjustanother outsourcingandvirtualstaffing company,”assertsMr Aqeel.Their differentiatorliesin“expertlyvetted, specializedvirtualassistantsinmore than30categoriesataffordable rates.”Fromrealestateandhealthcare toe-commerceandconstruction, WorkStaff360offersindustry-specific virtualassistants.
However,specializationisonlypartof theequation.Theyrecognizethat businessesneedresults,notjust promises.“Wedon’tjustprovideVAs andghosts,”Mr Aqeelemphasizes.
“Wemonitorthemtilltheendso thatyougettheresultsyoupaidfor.” Thiscommitmenttoperformance monitoring,combinedwithafocuson quality—”Ourvirtualassistantsare fluentinEnglish,collegegraduates, andnativespeakers”—positions WorkStaff360asaresults-driven operationalpartner
Toronto’sTechHub:Fueling InnovationinVirtualStaffing
Torontoisavibranthubforstartups andcutting-edgetechnology,andithas significantlyshapedWorkStaff360's identity AsMr Aqeelnotes,thecity's “techecosystem”hasinfluencedtheir approachtovirtualstaffingby leveragingadvancedtechnology, automation,anddata-driveninsightsto simplifyremoteworkforce management.
Additionally,Toronto’sdynamic businesslandscapeplaysacrucial rolebycontinuouslyproviding WorkStaff360withinsightsinto theevolvingneedsoftech startups,SMEs,andenterprises. Thisreal-timefeedbackloop ensuresthattheirservicesremain alignedwithmarketdemands, offering“scalable,cost-effective virtualassistantsolutions” preciselytailoredtotoday’s businesschallenges.
without Compromise:ThePillarsof QualityAssurance
Theappealof“savingover70% onemployeecosts”is undeniablystrong.However, savvybusinessleadersrightly ask:cansuchsavingsbegenuine
withoutadropinquality?AqeelAbbas addressesthisconcerndirectly.“Weuse productivitymonitoringtoolstotrack yourvirtualassistants(VAs),”he statesfirmly,“andmakesurethey meetyourexpectationseveryday.” ToolslikeHubstaffareemployedto monitorworkhours,activitylevels,and taskcompletion.
Furthermore,“wehaveadedicated successmanagertokeepaneyeon theirdailyperformanceandresolve yourqueries.”Thishumanelement, combinedwithtechnologicaloversight, formsarobustframeworkforquality assurance.Transparentcommunication viaplatformslikeBasecamp,KPIand goaltracking,andregularclient feedbackloopsfurtherreinforcetheir commitmenttoefficiency, accountability,andrealresults.
OvercomingSkepticism:Building TrustintheVirtualRealm
“Building WorkStaff360 wasn’t easy,” Mr Aqeelacknowledgescandidly.One oftheprimaryhurdleswasestablishing trustinthevirtualstaffingindustry “Manybusinesseswereskeptical abouthiringremotetalent,”he explains,“fearingmiscommunication, inefficiency,orlackofreliability.”
Tocombatthisinherentskepticism,Mr Aqeelfocusedonfoundationalstrength. “Ifocusedonbuildingastrong foundation—handpickinghighly skilledVAs,implementing productivitytrackingtools,and ensuringtransparentclient communication.”
Byprioritizing“qualityoverquantity” andoffering“fullymanagedvirtual staffingsolutions,”WorkStaff360 graduallyalleviatedclients'concerns, earningtheirtrustandsolidifyingits reputationasareliableandeffective partner
“ “
No work is too small or too big— what truly matters is the dedication and effort you put into it.
EyesontheHorizon: WorkStaff360’s2025andBeyond Roadmap
ThejourneyofWorkStaff360isfar fromover;infact,AqeelAbbassees 2025as“goingtobeagame-changer.” Expansionisfirmlyontheagenda, bothinserviceofferingsandglobal reach.Theyplanto“expandour serviceofferings—introducingAIdrivenautomation,industry-specific virtualassistantsolutions,andmore specializedroles.”
Geographically,theyaimto“scale globally—strengtheningour presenceintheU.S.,Canada, Australia,andtheU.K.,while exploringnewmarkets.”
Clientexperienceremainsparamount, withinvestmentsin“bettertools, seamlessonboarding,and personalizedsuccessmanagementto makehiringaVAeveneasier.”
Underpinningallofthisisa commitmenttogrowth–“growour remoteworkforce—providingmore opportunitiestoskilledprofessionals worldwideandensuringbusinesses getthebesttalentatcompetitive rates.”
TheLeader’sEquilibrium:WorkLifeIntegrationintheCEOSeat
EvenashedrivesWorkStaff360 forward,Mr Aqeelrecognizesthe importanceofpersonalequilibrium.
“Balancing work and life is tough, especially when running a business,” he admits.Hebelievesin “working smart, not just hard.” Delegation, prioritization,andempoweringhis teamarekeystrategies.
Outsidetheoffice,Aqeelfindsrecharge in “traveling, reading about business & technology, and staying active.” Healso lovesexploringnewplacesorspending timewithfamilyand“makesureto rechargesoIcanbringmybestselfto WorkStaff360everyday.”
AMessagetoBusinessLeaders: DedicationandCalculatedRisk
Inclosing,AqeelAbbasoffersasimple yetpowerfulmessage,distilledfromhis ownentrepreneurialjourney.“Onething I’velearnedinmyjourneyisthatno workistoosmallortoobig—what trulymattersisthededicationand effortyouputintoit.”
Heemphasizesthelonggame:“Success doesn’thappenovernight,buthard worknevergoesunnoticed.Every challengeandeverysetbackisjusta steppingstonetowardsomething greater.”
Hiscalltoactionisclearanddirect: “To alltheentrepreneurs,businessowners, andprofessionalsoutthere—keep pushingforward.Staycommitted,stay consistent,andneverbeafraidtotake risks.Growthcomesfromsteppingout ofyourcomfortzoneandembracing newopportunities.”
Let’sbehonest:
Mostsmallbusinessesoverspendonsupplies.Notbecause they’rereckless.Becausethey’rebusy.Buried.Swamped.
Andwhenyourattentionisdividedbetweenkeepingthe books,hiringtherightpeople,managingcustomerissues, andkeepingyourproductorservicealive—thelastthing youwanttodoishuntforbetterdealsoninventory,parts, orpackaging.
Buthere’sthecatch: Suppliesquietlybleedyourprofitmargins.
Notdramatically.Notinonebig,flashymistake. Butdripbydrip,invoicebyinvoice—untilyoulookat yourP&Landwonderwhyyour20%marginlooksmore like9%.
ThatStopsNow.
Thisisnotapostaboutcouponcodesorgeneric“cutcosts” tips.
Thisisatacticalframeworkthatlean,resourceful foundersusetobuybetter,smarter,faster—without compromisingonquality.
Let’sunpackit.Linebyline.Nofluff.
1.You’reNotaCustomer—You’reaBusinessPartner
First,changethewayyouapproachsuppliers.
Mostbusinessownerstreatsupplyvendorslikevending machines:putinarequest,gettheproduct,moveon.
Thatmindsetkeepsyouina transactionaltrap—whichiswhere youoverpaythemost
Greatoperatorsflipthescript.
They build supplier partnerships,not justvendorlists.Thatmeans:
· Callingyoursupplierinsteadof emailing.
· Askingaboutbulkthresholds, paymentterms,freight arrangements.
· Lettingthemknowyourorder frequencyandaveragevolume.
· Negotiatingnotonthepricetag— butontherelationshipvalue.
Becausehere’sthetruth: Vendorscareaboutpredictability morethanprice.
Ifyou’reareliablerepeatbuyer,many willofferflexiblepaymentwindows, earlyaccesstoinventory,oreven waiveshippingfeestokeepyouloyal.
Don’t ask for a discount. Ask for a better deal long-term.
2.StopBuyingfromtheFrontPage
Retailersoptimizetheirwebsitesand catalogstomakeyoubuyfast—not smart.
Ifyou’resourcingfromthesamefive suppliersaseveryoneelse,usingthe defaultSKUs,andneverasking: “Who’sactuallybuildingthisstuff?” —you’reeatingmiddlemancosts everytime.
Thesmarterplay?
Goupstream.
· Forequipment:Findthe manufacturers,notjustthe resellers.
· Forrawmaterials:Locateniche orregionalsupplierswho specializeinyourspace.
· Foroperationaltools:Consider refurbishedorhigh-qualityused gear.
Areal-worldexample?
Farmersbuyingbulkfeedbins directlyfromregional manufacturersaresaving30–50% comparedtothosebuyingvia supplychains.Why?Nomarkup layers.Andthesebinslast10+ years—whichmeansmoreROI perdollarspent.
Used ≠ cheap. Sometimes it's just smart buying from businesses who upgrade faster than they depreciate assets.
3.LocalIsn’tJustEthical—It’s Efficient
Toomanybusinessessleepontheir localvendorsbecausetheythink “local”means“limited.”
That’swrong.
Localsourcingcangiveyou:
· Fasterturnaroundtimes(no7dayshippingdelays).
· Lowerlogisticscosts(local pickup,nofreight).
· Betterservice(becauseyou’rea knownface,notorder#934201).
Andhere’salittle-knownpower move:
Barteringwithlocalvendors.
Thinkdesignservicesinexchange forpackaging.Orpromotingtheir brandtoyourcustomersin exchangefordiscountedgoods.
Trust and proximity build creative deals — not just invoices.
4.BuyinBulk—ButOnlywitha Strategy
Yes,buyinginbulksavesmoney.But onlywhen:
· Youusethatproductconsistently
· Youhavethestoragespace.
· Youcanabsorbtheupfrontcost withoutcashflowpain.
Otherwise,bulkisatrapdisguisedasa deal.
Ifbulkpurchasingfeelsrisky,group buyingisyoursecretweapon. Formapurchasingalliancewith3–5 otherbusinessesinyourniche. Splitthecost.Splittheshipment.Keep yourmarginstight.
Thisworksespeciallywellfor:
· Packagingmaterials
· Perishableingredients(with synchronizedproductionschedules)
· Maintenancepartsorconsumables
Buying together creates scale advantages without scaling too fast.
5.PlaytheTimingGame
Suppliersrunoncycles.
· End-of-quarterclearance.
· Off-seasonpricing.
· Holidayoverstockselloffs.
· Fiscal-year-closediscounts.
Knowingthisgivesyouastrategicedge. Don’tjustbuywhenyourunout.Buy whenthepricecurvedips.Thebest operatorsusepurchasecalendars Theyplanprocurementwindowsaround thesecycles—notonpanicreorders.
Setalertsforseasonaltrendsinyour industry.Keeparunning“nextbuy”list. Even10%offacross20SKUs,4xayear —that'sthousandssavedannually
Buy early. Buy when the market blinks.
You’renotNike.Youdon’tneed brandconsistencyontheboxesyou openbehindthescenes.
Ifyou’repayingapremiumjust because“that’sthebrandwe’ve alwaysused”—askyourself: Isitactuallybetter?Orjust familiar?
Comparison-shopwithspecs.
Lookatmaterialquality,warranty, leadtimes—notlogorecognition.
Newerorupstartbrandsoften overdeliveratlowerpricestobuild marketshare.Youwinbytesting andswitchingwherepossible.
TryA/Btestingyourtopfive purchaseswithalternativesuppliers quarterly.
Trackcost,performance,and feedbackfromyourteam. Familiarity feels safe. But margins don't lie.
7.CreateaSupplierScorecard
Tostayruthlessaboutyoursupply chain,trackmorethanprice.Builda monthly/quarterlysupplier scorecardwith:
· Costperunit(includingdelivery)
· Productdurability/returnrate
· Leadtimeaccuracy
· Paymentflexibility
· Responsiveness
Thenrankyourvendorsandditch thebottom20%.
Noemotion.Justperformance. Greatbusinessesdon’tjusttrack sales metrics.Theytrack spend performancewiththesame discipline.
If you’re not measuring supplier performance, you're not managing it.
8.DocumentYourProcurement Playbook
Here’sadirtytruth:Mostsmall businesseskeepsupplysourcing“inthe owner’shead.”
Thentheownergetssick,hiresabuyer, orscales—andchaosfollows.
Don’twingit.
StartasimplesupplySOP:
· Whereyoubuyfrom(and2–3 backups)
· Whyyouchosethem(price,quality, relationship)
· Howoftenyoubuy(andseasonality notes)
· Whatdealyou’venegotiated(and renewalterms)
Documentingthissavestime. Trainsyourteamfaster. Protectsyoufromkey-manrisk.
Systems scale. Scramble doesn’t.
FinalWord:SmallBusiness,Big Advantage
Thedifferencebetweenascrappy businessandascalableoneoften sitsininvisiblesystems. Procurementisoneofthem.
Whenyoushiftfrompassive buyingtoactivesourcing,you unlock:
· Highermargins
· Moreresilience
· Lessstress
Youstopreactingandstart operating
Sowhetheryou’rerunningarural supplyshop,aSaaSstartupwith physicalcomponents,oralocal foodbrand—rememberthis: Everydollaryousave without sacrificing quality dropsstraightto profit.
Smartsupplychainsaren’ta luxury.They’reaweapon.
Usethemlikeone.
Inthehigh-stakesarenaofglobalfinance,predictive accuracyisparamount,yetnotoriouslyelusive. Artificialintelligenceisemergingasapotentially transformativeforce.ChananZevin,ChiefExecutive OfficerofInsightfulDataTechnologies,isattheforefront ofthisshift. HisfirmispioneeringAI-drivenpredictive analyticstorevolutionizefinancialdecision-making.
AsZevinstates, “My goal is to achieve a high level of reliability in financial forecasting, enabling investors and institutions to make data-driven decisions with greater confidence.” Establishedin2023,InsightfulData Technologies,headquarteredinDubai,israpidlygaining recognition.ThisprofileexaminesChananZevin’scareer journeyandtheinnovativetechnologiespoweringInsightful DataTechnologies.
Zevin’sCareerPath:FinanceandAlgorithmicExpertise
ChananZevin’scareerisablendofpracticalfinancial marketexperienceanddeepknowledgeofalgorithmic design.Hisfoundationalyearswerespentinconsultancy
rolesatmajorEuropeanbankssuchasDresdnerBank, Commerzbank,andDiscountBank,providinghimwitha robustunderstandingofbankingoperationsandrisk management.
Furthermore,headvisedgovernmentministries,applying hisknowledgeofalgorithmsandprocessoptimizationto nationalsystems.Thisextensiveexperienceinfinance gavehimadeepunderstandingofmarketdynamicsand thecriticalneedforaccurateforecasting.
However,itwasinthefinancialmarketsthatZevin recognizedtheuntappedpowerofAI.“Myinterestin AI-poweredpredictiveanalyticswassparkedbymy workinfinancialmarkets,”heexplains,“whereI recognizedthepotentialofmachinelearninganddeep learningtoenhanceforecastingaccuracy.”
ThisrealizationsparkedtheideaforInsightfulData Technologies:astartupfocusedondevelopingcuttingedgeAImodelsforpredictingstock,forex,and commoditymarkets.
InsightfulDataTechnologies:CoreOfferings
InsightfulDataTechnologies,operatingthroughitsplatforms AizevinStocks.comandAizevin.com,deliversAI-driven analyticstailoredforthefinancialsector,banking,ecommerce,andmedia.AsZevinexplains,InsightfulData Technologiesis“anAI-drivenanalyticscompany specializinginpredictivemodelingforfinancialmarkets, banking,e-commerce,andmedia.”
InsightfulDataTechnologies’coreservicesare:
●AI-PoweredFinancialForecasting:Utilizingsophisticated AImodelstopredicttrendsinstock,forex,andcommodity markets,aimedatinformingandenhancinginvestment strategies.
●BankingRisk&CreditAnalytics:ProvidingAI-driven toolsforcreditriskassessmentandfrauddetection,intended tostrengthenriskmanagementwithinfinancialinstitutions.
●E-commerceDataOptimization:Deliveringdata-centric solutionsfordemandforecasting,strategicpricing,and personalizedproductrecommendationstooptimizeecommerceoperationsandenhancecustomerengagement.
●Media&ContentIntelligence:OfferingAIanalyticsfor audiencebehaviorandtrendpredictionindigitalmedia, designedtorefinecontentstrategiesandboostaudience engagement.
AizevinStocks.comispresentedasaspecializedplatform providingdailystockpredictionsgeneratedbyAI.It incorporatesdeeplearning,ensemblemodels,andnatural languageprocessingtoanalyzeextensivemarketdataand generateprecisestockpriceforecasts.
Inaddition,Aizevin.comfunctionsasthecorporatehub, “servingasacorporatehubthatshowcases:Company Vision&Expertise,Technology&AIModels,Business Solutions,Research&ThoughtLeadership,andContact &Partnerships,”asperZevin.
AIPredictionSystem:TechnologiesandMethodologies
InsightfulDataTechnologies’predictionsystemis underpinnedbyasophisticatedAIarchitecture,reportedly achieving“areported85%accuracyinforecastingstocks, forex,andcommodities.”Keytechnologiesand methodologiesintegratedwithinthesystemincludea“hybrid approachthatcombinesmultipleAImodels,including deepneuralnetworks(DNNs),ensemblelearning,and reinforcementlearning,”accordingtoZevin.Thekey componentsare:
●HybridAIModelApproach:Thesystememploysa hybridapproachintegratingdeepneuralnetworks (DNNs),ensemblelearning,andreinforcementlearning. Ensemblemodelingenhancespredictionaccuracyby dynamicallyselectingthebest-performingmodelfor eachasset.
●FeatureEngineeringandDataIntegration:Multilayereddataprocessingintegratesdiversedatasets, includinghistoricalpricetrends,technicalindicators, marketvolatilityindices,andmacroeconomicdata. NaturalLanguageProcessing(NLP)isutilizedto analyzefinancialnewssentimentandmacroeconomic reports,enrichingdatainputs.
●AdaptiveModelSelectionandContinuous Learning:Thesystemdynamicallyselectsthemost appropriatemodelforeachassetbasedonreal-time performancemetrics.Reinforcementlearningis implementedtoenablecontinuousmodeladaptationto marketdynamics,improvingthroughiterativefeedback loops.
●RiskManagementandReliabilityScoring:A proprietaryreliabilityscoringalgorithmassessesthe confidencelevelofeachforecast,prioritizinghighprobabilitypredictions.Errormetrics,suchasMean AbsoluteError(MAE)andRootMeanSquareError (RMSE),andsafetyindicatorsareintegratedtofinetuneandvalidatemodelperformance.
●ScalableAIInfrastructure:Thesystemisdeployed onacloud-based,high-performancecomputing infrastructure,utilizingparallelprocessingandGPU accelerationtofacilitatereal-timedataanalysis efficiently APIintegrationensuresseamless accessibilityforinstitutionalclientsandtraders.
Thesemethodologies,asZevinemphasizes,areintricately woventocreate“anadvancedAI-drivenprediction systemthatleveragesstate-of-the-artmachine learninganddeeplearningtechniquestoforecast stocks,forex,andcommoditieswithhighaccuracy.”
Zevinacknowledgesthat“BridgingthegapbetweenAI capabilitiesandreal-worldbusinessapplicationsin financialmarketsrequiresovercomingseveral challenges.”
Leaders who invest in AI today will define the industries of tomorrow. “
KeyChallengesandSolutions:
●DataQualityandAvailability:CrucialforAI accuracy,ensuredbyrigorouspreprocessingand anomalydetectionforclean,high-qualitydatasets.
●MarketVolatilityandExternalFactors: Unpredictablemarketsareaddressedwithadaptive AImodelsusingreinforcementlearningandrealtimedatafordynamicforecastadjustments.
●ModelInterpretabilityandTransparency: Essentialfortrust;ExplainableAI(XAI)techniques likeSHAP/LIMEprovideclearrationalesbehindAI predictionsforfinancialinstitutions.
●OverfittingandModelGeneralization:Prevented bycross-validationandensemblelearning, enhancingmodelgeneralizationandensuring reliableperformanceinnewmarketconditions.
●RegulatoryandComplianceConstraints:Strict financialregulations(GDPR,SEC)navigated throughauditableAIprocesses,biasmitigation,and proactiveadherence.
●Real-TimeDecisionIntegration:Cloud-based, low-latencyarchitectureswithAPIconnectivity enableswift,real-timedeliveryandintegrationof AIpredictionsintofinancialsystems.
CEORolesandAchievements:LeadershipinAI Innovation
AsCEOofInsightfulDataTechnologies,ChananZevin’s roleismultifaceted,encompassingstrategicleadershipand hands-oninvolvementinAIinnovation.Hisprimary responsibilitiesincludeguiding“StrategicLeadership–Settingthecompany’sdirectioninAI-poweredfinancial forecasting,”and“AIResearch&Development Oversight–Leadingthedevelopmentofmachine learningmodels,”amongothersaspreviouslydetailed.
Zevin’snotablecareerachievementsunderscorehis expertiseandimpact:
●ServedasaconsultantformajorEuropeanbanks, includingDresdnerBank,Commerzbank,andDiscount Bank,whereheprovided“expertiseinAI-basedrisk modelingandfinancialanalytics.”
●Heldadvisoryrolesforgovernmentministries,“focusing onalgorithmicdesignandprocessoptimization.”
●LedthedevelopmentofInsightfulDataTechnologies’ predictiveAImodels,reportedlyachieving85% accuracyinforecastingstocks,forex,and commodities.
●DesignedproprietaryAImethodologies“thatbridgethe gapbetweenacademicAIresearchandpractical businessapplications.”
●CompletedadvancedprofessionaltraininginData EngineeringandDataScienceatNayaCollege.
InsightfulDataTechnologiesrigorouslyquantifiesitsAI solutions’impactthroughclient-centricmetrics.AsCEO Zevinemphasizes,“AtInsightfulDataTechnologies, wefocusonquantifiableperformancemetricsand client-drivenoutcomestomeasuretheimpactofour AI-poweredpredictivesolutions.”
KeyPerformanceIndicators(KPIs)forsuccessand clientROIinclude:
●PredictionAccuracy:MeasuredviaDirectional Accuracy(Buy/Sellsignalcorrectness),Mean AbsoluteError(MAE),RootMeanSquareError (RMSE),andaproprietaryReliabilityScore.
●ClientFinancialPerformance:TracksProfitability ofAI-driventrades,RiskReductioninportfolios,and PortfolioVolatilityReduction.
●BusinessProcessEfficiency:QuantifiesTimeSaved inmarketanalysisduetoAIautomation,SpeedofAI ModelAdaptation,andIntegrationSuccessintoclient systems.
●ClientFeedback&Adoption:GaugedthroughUser satisfaction,clientretention,institutionalclient Feedbackformodelrefinement,andMarket Expansion/industryadoptionrates.
TheseKPIsensureacomprehensiveevaluationofAI solutioneffectiveness,focusingonbothtechnical accuracyandtangibleclientbenefits.
AizevinPlatforms:PracticalApplicationsofAI
AizevinStocks.comandAizevin.comarethepractical manifestationsofInsightfulDataTechnologies’AI vision.
Regardinghisplatforms,Zevinexplains, “aizevinstocks.com–Aspecializedstockprediction platformleveragingadvancedAItechniques… aizevin.com–AbroaderAI-poweredanalytics platformcoveringForex,commodities,andstocks, providingactionableinsightsandpredictive intelligence.”
ThedynamicadaptabilityofZevin’sAIsystemisakey differentiator,offeringameasurableadvantageover traditionalmethodsbecauseof“hisAI’sabilityto processcomplexdatasets,identifypatterns,and adjustdynamically.”
NavigatingChallenges:Zevin’sStrategiesfor Success
Zevinadmitsfacing“Technologicallimitations–KeepingupwithAIadvancementsandhandling scalability,”aswellas“Industryskepticism–ConvincingfinancialinstitutionstotrustAIdrivenpredictions,”amongotherhurdles.
Toaddresstechnologicallimitations,Insightful DataTechnologiescontinuouslyinvestsinresearch anddevelopment(R&D)andstaffdevelopment, stayingattheforefrontofAI.Additionally,to combatindustryskepticism,thecompany proactivelydemonstratesapredictionaccuracyof over80%andestablishestrustthroughstrategic partnerships.
Moreover,issueswithdataaccuracywere addressedbyimplementingrobustpreprocessing techniquesandascalablecloudinfrastructure. Consequently,toaddresscompetitivemarket pressures,thecompanystrategicallyfocusedon nichemarketslikeAI-drivenForexforecasting.
Intermsofregulatorycompliance,thisisensured bybuildingauditableAIprocessesandadheringto financialregulations.Finally,withrespectto talentacquisition,thisisprioritizedbyfosteringa high-performanceteam,andfinancial sustainability,similarly,ismanagedthrough meticulousplanning,whileglobalexpansion, finally,isapproachedwithstrategicpartnerships andmarketresearch.
Furthermore,regulatorycomplianceisachieved bycreatingauditableAIprocessesandadheringto financialregulations.Talentacquisitionis prioritizedbyfosteringahigh-performanceteam. Financialsustainabilityismanagedthrough carefulplanning,whileglobalexpansionis approachedthroughstrategicpartnershipsand thoroughmarketresearch.
Despitethedemandingnatureofhisrole,Chanan Zevinvalueswork-lifebalance.Hededicatestime topersonalenrichment,noting,“Iprioritizea balancedwork-lifeapproachbydedicatingtime toactivitiesthatenrichme.”
Zevinenjoys“readingaboutmilitaryhistory,a subjectI’mverypassionateabout—andI’mafan ofProfessorAnthonyBiwer.”Furthermore,he spendstimelearningaboutnewtechnologieson YouTube,whichhelpsmestayuptodatewithmodern innovations.
InsightfulDataTechnologiesisactivelypursuing futureinnovations,withongoingprojectsfocusedon enhancinghedgeriskmanagementsolutionsand expandingintocryptoassetanalytics.
Zevinstates,“AtInsightfulDataTechnologies, we’reexcitedtobeworkingonseveralcuttingedge projects.We’reenhancingourhedgerisk managementsolutionsbyintegratingadvanced exposurecalculationtechniquesandreal-time marginalertsystems.”
MessagetoCEOs:EmbraceAIforStrategic Advantage
ChananZevinadvocatesforthestrategicintegrationof AIandpredictiveanalytics.“AIandpredictive analyticsaremorethanjusttools;theyarestrategic enablers,”heasserts,urgingfellowCEOsand businessleaderstorecognizetheiressentialrolein maintainingcompetitiveness.
Heemphasizes,“ForCEOsandbusinessleaders, embracingAImeansshiftingfromreactive decision-makingtoaproactive,data-driven approach.”Zevinfirmlybelieves,“Leaderswho investinAItodaywilldefinetheindustriesof tomorrow.”
Letmetellyouatruththat’smade—and saved—millionsforCEOswhoplaythelong game:Youcan’tmarryyourfirstidea.
Ilearnedthatthehardway.
TheOfferThatWentNowhere
Ihadwhatfeltlikeabrilliantidea.Myapartmentin Porto,Portugal,sitsemptywhenItravel.Manyofmy friendsfantasizeaboutworkingremotely,tastingthe “digitalnomad”lifestyle.SoIthought—perfect.I’doffer themthechancetostayinmyplace,free.
They’dgetatasteoflocationfreedom.I’dgetthe satisfactionofhelpingthemtakeasteptowardabigger life.Win-win,right?
Ireachedouttosevenpeoplewhoseemedlikeperfect fits.
Result?
Nothing.Notasingle“yes.”
Sure,Igotpolitereplies.Afew“That’samazing!”and “I’dloveto,but…”Butnoaction.
Iwasstunned.Inmyhead,I’dpicturedatleasttwo peoplesayingyesbeforeIfinishedmakingtheoffer. Instead,Iwasleftstaringatalistofpeoplewhoseemed interested—butweren’tmoving.
Here'swhereIwentwrong:Ididn’tfollowmyownrules.
Iteachentrepreneursthatastrongofferneeds:
1. Aclearproblem—andprooftheaudiencefeelsit now,notlater
2. Asolutionthatconnectsdirectlytothatproblem.
3. Awhythatmattersemotionally,notjustlogically.
4. Messagingthatjoinstheconversationalreadyin theirheads.
5. Acompellinghookthatmakessaying"no" feelexpensive.
6. Therightaudiencesizewithskininthe game.
Ididnoneofthat.
IassumedmyfriendswantedwhatIwantedfor them.Ioffereditwithzerourgency,zerocost, andzerocommitment.Which,ironically,is exactlywhatItellmyclientsnottodo.
So,whatdidIget?
Politeenthusiasm.Andnothingelse.
RealProblemWasn’tThem
Iwasn’tjustattachedtotheidea—Iwasweddedtoit.Inmyhead,I’d alreadydecidedthey’dloveit.IskippedthepartwhereIactually confirmedwhethertheyneededit,wantedit,andwerereadyforitnow.
Worse,my“samplesize”wassevenpeople.That’snotevenatest—it’s adinnerparty
Andhere’sthebigbusinesstruthIhadtoswallow: Justbecausesomeonesaystheyloveanideadoesn’tmeanthey’llacton it.
It’snotmalice.I’stiming.Peoplehavelives.Prioritiesshift.Meaning welldoesn’tcreatemomentum.
OnceIgotovermybruisedego,IaskedthetwoquestionsI should’vestartedwith:
· What’sthereallessonhere?
· HowcanIpivotwithoutclingingtomyoriginalpictureof success?
That’swhenIflippedtheoffer
Iturnedthe“freestayinmyapartment”intoaVIPStrategy WeekendinPorto—apaidexperiencewherebusiness ownersworkwithmeontheirbiggestbusinesschallenges, face-to-face,inanenvironmentthatfuelsstrategicthinking.
Thistime,itlanded.
Why?Becausenowithadtheelementsthatactuallydrive action:
· Clearproblem:Entrepreneursneededfocusedtimeto workontheirbusiness,notjustinit.
· Logicalandemotionalpayoff:They’dleavewithclarity, strategy,andexecutionsteps—resultstheycouldfeeland measure.
· Skininthegame:Payingmeantthey’dprioritize showingupandimplementing.
· Rightaudience,rightmoment:Iputitinfrontofpeople activelysearchingforabreakthroughnow,not “someday.”
Yourfirstideaisn’tsacred.Thefasteryoureleaseit,the fasteryoufindtheversionthatworks.
Icould’vewastedmonthstryingtoconvincemyoriginal grouptotakemeuponthefreestay.Icould’vedoubled downonsellingsomethingtheydidn’tseeasurgent.But detachingfromtheoutcomefreedmetospotthebetter opportunity
Thesameprincipleapplieswhetheryou’repitching investors,launchingabiotechproduct,orsellingconsulting. CEOswhoscalefastdon’tjustinnovate—theydiscard quicklywhenaconceptdoesn’tconvert.
HowtoSpotWhenYou’reWeddedtoanIdea
Askyourself:
· AmIignoringrealfeedbackinfavorofwhatI imaginedwouldhappen?
· DoIkeeppushingthesameofferwithoutrevisiting theproblemitsolves?
· AmImoreinvestedintheideaitselfthaninsolving thecustomer’sactualneedrightnow?
Ifyouanswer“yes”toanyofthese,you’renot testing—you’redefending.Anddefensedoesn’tscale.
Here’stheprocessInowfollow—andcoachothersto use—whenanofferstalls:
1. StepBack.Removeyouremotionalinvestment. Thinklikeanexternalstrategist,notthecreator
2. CheckYourAudience.Areyouspeakingtothe rightpeopleattherighttimeintheirdecision cycle?
3. RefinetheProblem.Isthepainurgentenoughfor themtoactnow?
4. RebuildtheOffer.Increaseclarity,urgency,and commitment.Givethemareasontoprioritizeit.
5. RetestFast.Smallaudience?Smalllaunch.Don’t waitsixmonthstofindoutifthepivotworks.
Ifyourofferisn’tlanding,stopforcingit.Release yourattachmenttowhatshouldwork.Thefasteryou moveonfromthedeadweightofyourfirstidea,the fasteryoufindtheonethatcreatesrealtraction.
TheCEOswhowinbigaren’ttheoneswiththebest firstideas.They’retheoneswhoadjustfasterthan themarketshifts.
So,askyourselftoday—not“HowdoImakethisidea work?”but— “What’sthenextbestversionIcantestnow?”
In the dizzying world of enterprise technology, where innovation moves at the speed of code, Paul Nashawaty has carved out a unique and essential role. He is not just an analyst; he is an interpreter, a guide who helps businesses understand the profound story being told by the machines and the people who build them.
Thereisalanguagespokenintheworldofhigh-tech,a denseandconstantlyevolvingdialectofacronymsand concepts:DevOps,cloud-native,open-source,digital transformation.Formostbusinessleaders,thislanguage canfeelimpenetrable,abarriertotheveryinnovationsthat promisetosecuretheirfuture.Tonavigatethislandscape requiresatranslator,someonewhocanstandatthe intersectionoftechnologyandbusinessandmakesenseof itall.Forthepastthirtyyears,PaulNashawatyhasbeen thattranslator
AsaPrincipalAnalystatSiliconANGLE&theCUBE Research,aleadingfirmintechnologyanalysis headquarteredinPaloAlto,California,Mr.Nashawaty occupiesauniqueposition.Heisastudent,ateacher,anda strategistallatonce.Hisworkinvolvesimmersinghimself inthedeepestcurrentsofapplicationmodernization—how softwareisbuilt,released,andoperated—andthen surfacingwithclear,actionableinsightsforhisclientsand thebroaderITcommunity.Hisinfluenceisnotamatterof opinion;itisquantified.Hewasrecentlylistedasthe#4 analystintheARchitectAnalystPower100,aranking thatplaceshimamongthemostimpactfulvoicesinhis field.
ButtounderstandPaulNashawaty’sworkistounderstand thatitisaboutmorethanjusttechnology.Itisaboutthe humanandbusinesschallengesthattechnologyismeantto solve.Itisaboutbridgingtheoften-vastdividebetweena
strategicvisionanditssuccessfulexecution.Hisjourneyhas beenoneofmovingfrombuildingsystemstobuilding understanding,atransitionthathasmadehimoneofthemost trustedadvisorsintheever-shiftingworldofenterpriseIT.
Thirtyyearsinthetechnologyindustryprovidesaperson withacertainkindofperspective.Itisthelongview,the abilitytorecognizepatterns,todistinguishbetweenfleeting trendsandfundamentalshifts.Mr.Nashawaty’scareerhas beenamasterclassinthiskindofobservation.Hehas workedacrossdiverseindustries,seeingfirsthandwhat makesbusinessesthriveandwhatcausesthemtostagnate. Thisextensiveexperienceformsthebedrockofhiscurrent role.Heisnotatheoristoperatinginanacademicvacuum; hisinsightsaregroundedindecadesofreal-world application.
Hisfocusisontheintricateworldofapplication modernization.Inanerawhereeverycompanyis,insome way,asoftwarecompany,theabilitytobuildanddeploy applicationsefficientlyandsecurelyisparamount.Thisisthe challengethatMr.Nashawatyhelpshisclientsnavigate.He providesresearch,analysis,andguidanceonthecomplex interplayofDevOpspractices,theadoptionofopen-source software,themigrationtocloud-nativearchitectures,andthe overarchingstrategyofdigitaltransformation.
Hisleadershipphilosophy,whichhedescribesasa“give-toget”model,iscentraltohisapproach.“Leadershipisn’tjust aboutbeingatthehelm;it’saboutenablingothersto succeed,”hesays.Thisisnotjustamanagementstyleforan internalteam;itistheethosthatdefineshisrelationshipwith theentireindustry.Heactivelyshareshisknowledge,notjust withpayingclients,butwiththebroadercommunity
HeisacontributingauthortotheForbesCommunications CouncilandhasbeenfeaturedinTheWallStreetJournal. HeservesasanadvisoryboardmemberatTheGeorge WashingtonUniversitySchoolofBusinessandisa strategicadvisorandinvestorinseveraltechnologystartups.
Thiscommitmenttogivingback,tosharinginsightsfreely, isthefoundationofhisinfluence.Itbuildstrustand establisheshimasacredible,authoritativevoice.Inreturn, thisengagementprovideshimwithacontinuousstreamof feedbackandnewperspectives,keepinghisown understandingsharpandrelevant.Itisareciprocallearning environmentwritlarge,withhimatitscenter
ThestrategicpartnershipwiththeCUBEResearch,a companyfoundedin2010withateamof11-50employees, hasprovidedMr.Nashawatywithapowerfulplatformto amplifyhiswork.HisappointmentasPrincipalAnalystfor ApplicationDevelopment(AppDev)wasakeymilestone, leveraginghisextensiveexperiencetoenhancethefirm’s serviceofferings.Hehasbeeninstrumentalinhelping theCUBEResearchdelvedeeperintoemergingtrendslike AIintegrationandthecontinuedevolutionofDevOpsand open-sourcesoftware.
Thiscollaborationhasallowedhimtoprovideclientswith cutting-edgesolutionstailoredspecificallytothe applicationdevelopmentlandscape.Acentralelementof thisworkistheAppDevANGLEpodcastseries,whichhe hosts.Thepodcastservesasavehicleforthought leadership,aplacewherehecanexplorethefutureof AppDev,highlightnewinnovations,andengageindialogue withotherindustryleaders.Itisanotherexpressionofhis “give-to-get”philosophy,awaytoengagewithabroader audienceandsolidifyhispositionasatrustedadvisor
Throughtheseinitiatives,heisnotjustanalyzingthe industry;heisactivelyshapingtheconversationwithinit. Heiscreatingaspaceforamoreintegratedapproachto technology,onethatseamlesslyblendsmarketingstrategy, MarTech,andcontentcreationintoaresults-driven solution.Thisisthecoreideabehindhiscompany, EfficientlyConnected,Inc.—aphilosophyofbreaking downsilosandcreatingacohesive,unifiedapproachto businessgrowth.HisworkasananalystfortheCUBE Researchistheultimateembodimentofthisphilosophy, demonstratingonagrandscalehowconnectingstrategy, technology,andinsightcandelivermeasurablevalue.
Theprimarychallengeforanyanalystinthetechindustryis therelentlesspaceofchange.Newtechnologiesemerge, newmethodologiesaredeveloped,andnewmarketleaders riseandfallwithbewilderingspeed.Therolerequiresnot justkeepingup,butstayingahead,distinguishingthesignal fromthenoise,andidentifyingwhatwillhavealasting impact.
Mr.Nashawatyhasnavigatedthesecurrentsbydeveloping akeensenseofwhathecalls“hyper-personalization.”Inthe earlydays,herecognizedthataone-size-fits-allsolution wasarecipeforfailure.“There’snoone-size-fits-all solution,”henotes.Thisrealizationpushedhimtodevelop flexiblemodelsandprocessesthatcouldaccommodatethe diverseneedsofhisclients,fromstartupswithlimited budgetstolargeenterpriseswithcomplexlegacy infrastructures.
Scalingresourcestomeetthisdemandwasanother significanttest.Heandhisteamworkedtobuildefficient systemsandstreamlinecommunicationtoensuretheycould deliverhigh-quality,personalizedguidanceconsistently. Theseearlychallengesbecameopportunitiestorefinehis approachandstrengthenhiscommitmenttoexcellence.The turningpoint,hesays,camewhenhefullyembraced adaptability,shiftinghisfocusfromstandardizedsolutions tohyper-personalizedstrategiesthataddressedtheunique challengesofeachclient.
Thisfocusontailoredsolutionsispoweredbytechnology itself.HeleveragesAIandmachinelearningtoanalyzevast datasetsanduncoveractionableinsights,allowinghimto crafthighlypersonalizedcampaignsandstrategies.Hehelps clientsoptimizetheirMarTechstacks,integratingplatforms likeCRMsystemsandmarketingautomationtoimprove efficiencyandagility Andheunderstandsthatgreat strategiesandtoolsaremeaninglesswithoutcompelling content.Heusestechnology,includingAI-driventools,to createdata-backednarrativesthatconnectwithspecific audiencesegments,captureattention,anddriveaction.
PaulNashawaty’sworkisinherentlyforward-looking.Heis constantlyscanningthehorizon,identifyingthetrendsthat willshapethefutureofbusiness.Heiscurrentlyfocusedon thegrowingimportanceofpersonalization,usingAI-driven analyticstohelpclientsdeliverexperiencesthatfeel authenticandmeaningful.
Heisalsoastrongadvocatefordatasecurityand privacy-compliantmarketingsolutions,recognizingthat trustistheultimatecurrencyinanybusiness relationship.
Heisparticularlyexcitedaboutthepotentialof immersivetechnologieslikeaugmentedandvirtual reality.“Immersivecontentisn’tjustatrend–it’sthe futureofhowbrandswillconnectwiththeir audiences,”henotes.Heisalreadyexploringwaysto integratethesetoolsintohisclients’strategies,from virtualshowroomstointeractivestorytelling experiences.
Internally,hefostersacultureofinnovation, encouraginghisteamtothinkbeyondthepresent, experimentwithboldideas,andchallengetraditional methods.Hebelievesthatinanunpredictableworld,an innovativemindsetisthemostvaluableasseta companycanhave.Hehasalsofoundawaytobalance thisdriveforinnovationwiththeneedforstability throughashared-riskmodel.“Shared-riskmodelsallow ustoinnovatewithconfidencebecausewe’rejustas investedintheresultsasourclientsare,”heexplains. Thisapproachfostersadeepsenseofaccountability andtrust,ensuringthateverysolutionisdesignedwith long-termimpactinmind.
ForPaulNashawaty,legacyisnotmeasuredin accolades,thoughhehasmany.Itismeasuredin impact.Hesetouttobemorethanjustaservice provider;heaimedtobeatruepartneringrowth,a trustedadvisorwhocouldhelpbusinessesnavigatethe complexitiesofdigitaltransformation.Hissuccessis reflectedinthetangibleachievementsofhis clients—increasedaudienceengagement,significant boostsinoperationalefficiency,improvedwebsite traffic,higherconversionrates,andexpandedmarket reach.
Buthislegacyalsoextendstotheculturehehasbuilt andtheknowledgehehasshared.Byfosteringa workplacethatvaluesgrowth,collaboration,and mutualrespect,hehascreatedanenvironmentwhere peoplefeelempoweredtoexcel.Hiscommitmentto mentorship,whereevenjuniorteammembersare encouragedtoteachothersintheirareasofexpertise, hasbuiltacultureofreciprocallearning.“Everyonehas somethingtoteachandsomethingtolearn,”hesays.
Hisdedicationtogivingbacktothecommunity, throughpro-bonoprojects,educationalinitiatives,and mentorshipprograms,furtherdefineshisimpact.He believesthatcreatingvalueforsocietyisjustas importantascreatingvalueforclients,abeliefthatis wovenintothefabricofhiswork.
Intheend,PaulNashawaty’sstoryisoneof connection.
Heconnectsstrategytotechnology,datatocontent, andinnovationtostability.Butmostimportantly,he connectspeopletothecomplexworldoftechnology, translatingitsdenselanguageintoaclearand compellingstoryofopportunity.Heisaguideforthe modernbusinesslandscape,atrustedvoicehelping organizationsofallsizesfindtheirwaythroughthe digitalfrontierandbuildalastinglegacyoftheirown.
Foundersspendmillionstryingto craft“theperfectstory.”They hireagencies,shootcinematic videos,polisheverylineuntilitshines.
Thentheywonderwhyitdoesn’tconnect.
Here’sthetruthmostPRdeckswon’ttell you:thestorythatearnsinfluenceisrarely theoneyou’vepolished.It’stheone you’velived.
Afewweeksago,Isatinaroomwith fifteenhigh-performingfounders.We werethereforstrategy,nottherapy.Yet oneperson—withoutaslidedeck,without the“approved”brandnarrative—tolda raw,unscriptedaccountofthemomenther businessalmostfolded.
Shedidn’t“present.”Shetalked.She describedtheweekshehadtochoose betweenmakingpayrollandpayingher mortgage.Sheexplainedexactlyhowshe calledhersupplierandnegotiatedtermsto buyherself48hours.
Itwasn’tpretty.Butthetablewentsilent.
That’swhenithitme:yourinfluence startswhereyourpolishends.
Mostleadersknowtheirrésuméversionoftheirstory—the LinkedIn-approvedbulletpoints:
· Grewrevenueby300%.
· Expandedtothreecontinents.
· FeaturedinForbes.
Buttheycutthesentencesthatmatter:
· Spentsixweekssleepingonafriend'scouchtosavethe business.
· Spentfouryearssellingaservicenoonewantedbefore findingproduct-marketfit.
· Nearlyquitthenightbeforethebigbreak.
Wecutthembecausethey’remessy.Wecutthembecause they’renot“on-brand.”
Theirony?Thosearetheexactlinesthatmakeyoubelievable.
Here’sthecostofstaying“safe”withyourstory:
1.Yousoundlikeeveryoneelse.Polishedfounderbiosare interchangeable.
2.Youcreatedistance.Peoplecanadmireperfection,butthey rarelytrustit.
3.Youloseleverage.Investors,clients,andpartnersleanin whentheybelieveyou’vebeentestedandsurvived.
EveryCEOIrespectusesstoryasatool—notasahighlight reel.
Forget“crafting”foraminute.Gostraighttothe eventsthatfeltriskytosayoutloudatthetime. Askyourself:
· WhathappenedthatchangedthewayIrunmy business?
· WhendidIhavetomakeadecisionthatcost memorethanmoney?
· Whatmistaketaughtmesomethingno spreadsheetcould?
Thosearethepointsofconnection.That’sthe materialpeoplerepeatwhentheytalkaboutyou inroomsyou’renotin.
Wemisusetheword“vulnerability”inbusiness.
It’snotaboutoversharingoremotionalcatharsis.It’sabout strategictransparency—sharingenoughofthetruthto makethelessonundeniable.
Here’sthefilter:Ifthepersonacrossthetablecanapply whatyoulearnedtoavoidamistake,ortakeacalculated riskfaster,it’sworthtelling.
Ifit’sjustforshockvalue,saveitforthememoir
Onefounderinthatroomsaidsomethingthatstayedwith me:
“Ididn’tcomeheretobeinspired.Icamehereto rememberI’mnottheonlyoneinthefight.”
That’swhypeercommunitiesmatter.Notbecauseyou “feelseen,”butbecauseyougetoperatingintelfrom peoplewho’vesurvivedwhatyou’reinrightnow.
Whenyoutellthetrueversionofyourstory insideatrustedcircle,twothingshappen:
1.Yougetthestrategiesthataren’tinbooks.
2.Youbuildalliancesthatturnintodealflow, partnerships,andbackchannelintroductions.
ThisiswhyeveryseriousfounderIknow investsingettingintherightrooms—notjust forvisibility,butforsurvival.
I’vewatchedleaderstripletheirspeakingfees, closeseven-figurecontracts,andlandmedia features—notbyaddingmoresuccessstats,but byrevealingtheturningpointsbehindthem.
Themechanicsaresimple:
· Rawdetailmakesitmemorable.“Iwas downtomylast$412”stickslongerthan“we werestrugglingfinancially.”
· Specificitysignalstruth.Peopleinstinctively truststorieswithdates,numbers,andreal stakes.
· Strugglesignalscredibility.Ifyou’vebeen throughit,youcanhelpothersnavigateit.
YourstoryisnotPRfluff.It’sanassetwitha measurableROI.
Considerthisyourpushtostopsandingofftheedges.You don’tneedadramaticoverhaul.Youneedtoreintroducethe humanstakesintoyourorigin,yourturningpoints,andyour currentplay
Trythis:
· Identifyonestoryyou’vebeenavoidingbecauseitfeelstoo raw.
· Writeitinbulletpoints—justthefacts,noadjectives.
· Decidewhichpartsconnecttothevalueyoudelivernow
· Shareitinaroomwherethereturncouldbereal—whether that’sasalesmeeting,investorpitch,orstrategicpeergroup.
Yourpolishedstorymaygetpolitenods.Yourrealonewillget remembered,repeated,andrelayedtodecision-makersyou’ll nevermeet.
Inbusiness,beingknownisn’tabouttellingpeoplewhat you’veachieved—it’saboutshowingthemwhatyou've survived,andhowthatshapesthewayyoulead.
Don’twaitforpermission.Don’twaitforthe“right”moment. Therightmomentistheoneyoudecidetostophidingthepart thatmakesyoucredible.
Liftthefilter Tellthetruth.That’showinfluencestarts.
& Founder | ROUNDB
Meetthedistinguishedleader, RuiMartins,theCEOand FounderofROUNDB
Coveringallareasoffiberoptic developmentwithspecializationand customersatisfaction,ROUNDBhas markeditspositioninthe telecommunicationsindustry.Amaster ofhistrade,Ruiisspearheadinghis companywithleapsandboundsand envisionsreachingthetopofthe pyramidinthenearfuture.Hissheer passionanddedicatedprincipledwork arehelpinghimsailthemanyseasof success.
Ruibeganhiscareerwithadegreein electricalengineering,andsoonafter graduation,hejoinedaPortuguese multinationalcompanythatintroduced himtotheworldof Geographic Information Systems.Thisnewarea piquedhisinterest,andhequickly becameavaluableassettothe company.Heservedthecompanyfor twodecades,risingthroughtheranks andeventuallybecomingabusiness manager.Hewentontomanageother businessareasbeforebecoming DirectorofTelecommunications.
In2015,Ruimadethebolddecisionto leavehissteadyjobandstarthisown company.Inthefirstyear,heprovided consultationservicesforseveral companies.However,itwashis exposuretotheFrenchmarketthat sparkedhisinterest.TheFrenchmarket wasdevelopingitsfiber-optic networks,andRuisawanopportunity
Ruiseizedtheopportunityandfounded ROUNDB,acompanydedicatedto providingcutting-edgefiber-optic networksolutionstoclientsacrossthe globe. “It was too fast to realize that I was again starting an engineering project in this area with ROUNDB.
From there on it was consolidation and growth,” Ruisays.
ROUNDBwasfoundedinLisbon, Portugal,in2015,andbeganwith smalltelecommunicationsprojectsin PortugalandFrance.Rui’svisionfor ROUNDBwastocreateaturnkey projectthatincludedafiber-optic networksurvey,planning,anddesign, allowingthecompanytoestablisha centralizedofficeinPortugalcapable ofexportingglobally
Thecompany’smissionistoprovide servicesandrelationshipsthatpromote well-being,createvalue,andensure thesustainabilityofthebusiness.It aspirestobethebestoptionfor customers,employees,andsuppliers forthequalityofitsproducts,services, andrelationships.
In2017,ROUNDBwonacrucial projectthatmarkedthestartofan incrediblejourney.Today,thecompany hasoperationsinsevencountries, includingtheUSA,UK,France,Spain, andGermany,andemploysaround120 people.
ROUNDBisnowagroupoffive companies,withheadquartersin
Portugal,France,andtheUnited Kingdom.Thegroupisdividedinto twoactivities,Telecommunications, andRealEstateDevelopment,andhas establisheditselfasaleaderinboth fields.
UnderthevisionaryleadershipofRui, ROUNDBprovidesexclusiveservices andsolutionsthatsetitapartfromits competitorsinthetelecommunications industry Thecompanyspecializesin planninganddesigningfiberoptic networksandexecutesallphasesofthe chain,includingsurvey,design, support,construction,andas-builts.It alsooffersconsultingservices, feasibilitystudies,andnetwork optimizationthroughintelligenttools thatemploysophisticatedalgorithms formorecomplexoperations.
ROUNDBprimarilytargetsthe telecommunicationsindustrywitha missiontobecomeagloballeaderin planninganddesigningfiber-optic networks.Thecompanydeveloped intelligentanalysisanddesigntools thatoptimizenetworkplanningand design,reducingconstructioncostsfor itsclients.
Whilethecompany’stechnical capabilitiesareimpressive,itisthe emphasisoncommunication,trust, quality,capacity,anddeadlinesthat trulycaptivatesitscustomers.The company’smotto “Once a client, a client forever” illustratesitsdedication tocustomersatisfaction.
AsthefounderandCEOofROUNDB, Ruishoulderstheimmense responsibilityofleadingacompany thatplacesastrongemphasison internallaborandemployeewellbeing.Oneofhismostimportant responsibilitiesistoconstantlyattract businesstosupportROUNDB’s growthandretainitstalentedteam.
Ruiispassionateaboutcreatinga positiveworkculturewherepeoplecan thriveandthisisreflectedinthe variousbenefitsandsocialinitiatives thatthecompanyoffers. “One of our main goals, and mine in particular, is to create an organization where people feel good,” addsRui.
InrecognitionofROUNDB’s achievements,thecompanyhas receivednumerousawardsand accolades,includingthePMELíder andTOPSCORING5%awards.The
companyisalsoISO9001-2015certified,demonstratingits commitmenttoqualityandexcellence.Thesehonorsarea sourceofgreatprideandmotivationforRuitokeep pushingthecompanyforward.
Ruihasaclearperspectiveonthecurrentscenarioofglobal businessleadership.Accordingtohim,leadershipneedsto beinclusive,andbasedonprinciplesofcommunication, trust,andaccountability.Hebelievesthatweareina differentworldnow,withnewvariablessuchas globalization,telework,andanewmindsetofyounger workerswhoseekwell-beingastheirfirstneed.
Ruialsoemphasizestheimportanceofbeingproactiveina competitivebusinessenvironment.However,heemphasizes thatproactivityisnotlimitedtoexternalfactors.Itismore importanttobeproactivewithintheorganizationby supportingemployeedevelopmentandgrowth.
Tostayrelevantamidstchangingleadershipstyles,Rui ensuresthathegivesthemanagementteamallthetoolsand includestheminacultureofsharingwhilemaintaining rigor.Furthermore,hebelievesinincorporatingnewsocial benefitsintotheproductivelinesfromtheperspectiveof sharingandinclusion.
Ruiunderstandstheimportanceoftakingabreakfromthe fast-pacedcorporateworldtoenjoylifebeyondtheoffice walls.Heprioritizeshisinterestsandhobbies,which includetraveling,sports,reading,andspendingqualitytime withhislovedones.
Maintainingaperfectwork-lifebalanceiscrucial,andRui achievesthisbydedicatingtimetohispersonalinterests, thusrejuvenatinghimselftoreturntoworkwithfreshideas andaclearmind.
Asanesteemedleaderintheindustry,Ruihassomewords ofwisdomforbuddingentrepreneurswhoaspiretoexcelin theircareers.Accordingtohim,businesssuccessis primarilyaboutinvestinginpeople,therealdrivingforce behindanyorganization. “In this way, I suggest betting on the training of staff and setting an example,” assertsRui.
Ruiemphasizestheimportanceofhavingaclearvisionand communicatingiteffectivelytotheentireteam.Healso highlightsthesignificanceofbeliefandresilience,asthe roadtosuccessisoftenfraughtwithchallengesand obstacles.
“ROUNDB makes the difference because it develops, analysis, and designs tools that allow it to obtain the best solutions for its customers.”
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