From College Dropout to TEDx Speaker - Aashiq Shariff "The Corporate Junkie" | Coffee Pump (E020)

Welcome to another episode of The Coffee Pump Podcast! On E020, we have Aashiq Shariff. He is a self-taught business professional and entrepreneur with over two decades of building and leading successful innovative and technology led businesses in the East Africa region. His remarkable journey started in the year 1999 as a salesman in an Internet Service Provider business operating in Tanzania. Through his passion for technology, especially nurturing talent, Aashiq played an instrumental role in transforming a small ISP to one of the leading broadband connectivity and IT powerhouses in Tanzania. Under his visionary leadership as the CEO, the business was acquired by Liquid Intelligent Technologies in 2017, marking a major milestone in Tanzania's tech sector. Aashiq has since continued to set records as a promising business advisor, public speaker, and business coach to young start-ups. Drawing from his entrepreneurial spirit and cross-industry expertise, he has built a diverse portfolio of investments in marketing and business consulting, mobile advertising, digital ticketing and clean energy solutions. Currently, Aashiq serves as the Managing Director of Echo Tanzania and Regional Commercial Director of Echo East Africa that is a digital services integrator providing managed services, ITaaS, cloud solutions, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence-based surveillance systems, and internet connectivity. Topics discussed: 0:00 - Introduction 2:33 - Aashiq's background 8:00 - Entering the ICT space with RAHA 11:16 - Experience of working in Sales and it's importance in any organisation 23:10 - How to climb the corporate ladder 29:50 - Life after RAHA 39:16 - Giving a TEDX Talk 42:32 - Tips for Sales Folks to hit their targets 51:53 - Expanding into Kenya with Echo 56:41 - Cyber Security threats in East Africa 59:26 - Kenya Vs Tanzania 1:07:37 - Kenya's proposed Finance Bill and advice for people looking at setting up businesses in East Africa 1:12:27 - What business Aashiq start if he had a blank cheque? Find Aashiq Shariff: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aashiqshariff/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecorporatejunkie?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aashiq.shariff - Aashiq's Book "HOW TO REALLY SELL": https://www.suitsnsneakers.co.tz/product/how-to-really-sell/ - Echo East Africa: https://echotel.international - 78 Inc: https://78inc.co - Aashiq's TedX Talk: https://youtu.be/5S1iJODV-fQ?si=5oqf8JrN5bQM_qMw CoffeePump Socials: - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeepumppodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw== Find our host Sajid Vayani: - Instagram: https://instagram.com/sajidvayani?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA== - TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@sajvayani - YouTube: https://youtube.com/@sajidvayani - Twitter / X: https://x.com/sajvayani?s=21 Coffee Pump Audio: - Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffee-pump/id1711398436 - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0X1unCgwcsMSoG7YfgAu73 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe ❤️ #coffeepumppodcast #entrepreneurship #businessleadership #techinnovator #AashiqShariff #EastAfricaBusiness #technologytrends #startupsuccess #businessgrowth #digitaltransformation #EchoEastAfrica #tanzania #inspiringstories #PodcastEpisod#kenyanpodcast #innovation #businessjourney #leadership #digitalservices #cleanenergysolutions #iaas #cybersecurityinsights #cybersecurityexperts #artificialintelligence #managedservices #businessconsulting #marketing #publicspeaking #businesscoaching #isp #AFPIF2024 #networkmarketing #salestraining #salestips