What attracted me to Saltire Fellowship programme were two things, first, the world class learning from a world class institute (especially about sales and marketing) and second, becoming part of a number of diverse and varied networks.
Before joining the Fellowship programme, I was running my own company, already had an MBA, but somehow, I feared sales (or more precisely, I felt uncomfortable in asking for some one's money as part of selling). That's where Babson did me a great favor. Being a technology guy (read 'geek') I was always good at telling the story, creating the vision, engaging the audience, describing things in simple yet interesting ways and making the product/service come alive, ... what Babson did was for me to connect the story telling part with the 'customer wants' part. You see, I am no longer selling you something, I become your buying consultant, and together, we look at the products and services and see how best they fit your needs. This means asking a lot of questions.... and shutting up.... and listening. This last part, shutting up and listening, while the most important, is also the hardest. I remember Babson Sales classes putting us in groups and getting us to practice this again and again, until we got it right.
Along with the hard and technical skills (finance, operational and strategy stuff), and people's skills (leadership, behaviours, even the theatricals to improve our 'leadership presence'), I acquired friends whom I respect enormously and who continue to inpire me in many ways (although some are still after me for table tennis game to get the score even), I got to know some of the most intellectual, interesting and thought stimulating minds on planet in the form of faculty who opened our eyes to identify patterns, trends, underlying opportunities and innovative thinking, mixed with bounds of energy and passion.
My internship with Genzyme, a bio tech company creating drugs for genetic diseases, gave me insights into the world of biotech and pharmaceuticals, exploring avenues of world class manufacturing, lean manuracturing philosophies and radical innovation. It also showed me the human and emotional side of this business. Back in Scotland, I spent three months working with Vamosa, an IT company developing very interesting products for the emerging 'Information Governance' market, putting in practice some of the learning from Babson about customer and market resarch.
After graduation, I have joined Welltime Ltd. a company I have co-founded. Weltime creates IT solutions, with our flagship product for management of online appointments now coming to market, its time to put to test Babson's sales and marketing learning.
Being part of the fellowship means being part of the Saltire network, part of Babson faculty and alumni network, and being connected to Scottish Enterprise and Global Scots. This comes with a responsibility... to have an attitude of success, of ambition, of 'spark in the belly', of courage, and not being afraid to buck the trend. There are a lot of people wanting to make you a success, but most important of them all is you, yourself!
Afterall, you better be ready to leap if you want to be a Saltire*
- Mubbasher.
*Saltire Word Origin and History: prop. neut. of L. saltatorius "pertaining to leaping," from salire "to leap", according to www.dictionary.com