Assalamualaikum and salam sejahtera to all of you,

Datuk Wira Dr Azizan Osman here again. I’m writing this with a bit of disappointment, but also with a lot of hope for all of you SME entrepreneurs out there.

I keep noticing that many of you don’t understand how important it is to keep upgrading your knowledge and skills in business. This is not something we can push aside if we seriously want to bring our business to the next level.

Let me share a story:

There’s a woman by the name of Miss Adibah. Three years ago, Miss Adibah was just a government staff member, working as a pharmacist at the Ministry of Health for more than seven years. Her life back then was modest — just enough to support her family. But Miss Adibah had big dreams and the determination to change her life.

One day, Miss Adibah decided to go into business by creating a skincare product, The Raw. She started learning about marketing, how to build a brand, and understanding what customers want. Thanks to her determination and her willingness to change, sales of The Raw grew rapidly. Last year alone, Miss Adibah’s sales passed RM15 million, and this year it’s already close to hitting the same figure.

What’s even more impressive — she’s in Mecca now with her husband, having just completed her haj on a premium package worth more than RM150,000 per person. No, I’m not saying you can’t perform haj with other packages, but I want to show you how her decision to change her life and her business brought about such a big shift. With guidance and hard work, look where she is today. Insha Allah, even more success is waiting for Miss Adibah down the road.

What I want to get across here is this:

1. Stop Being Too Comfortable in Your Safe Zone
Many SME entrepreneurs are trapped in their comfort zone. You feel fine with what you have right now, but that comfort zone is actually the biggest enemy of your success. If you don’t change, you’ll be left behind.

2. Learn, and Keep Learning
Knowledge is the most important weapon in business. The business world keeps changing, and you need to keep renewing your knowledge. Attend courses, read books, learn from those who have already made it. Don’t be afraid to learn something new, because that is what will carry you to the next level.

3. Don’t Be Afraid to Innovate
Try new things. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks. Look at how big companies innovate and take lessons from them. Have you ever tried diversifying your products or services? Do you know what your customers actually want? Keep innovating to stay relevant in the market.

A final word:

I’m not writing this because I’m angry. I’m writing it because I care. I want to see all of you succeed. I want you to become entrepreneurs who can not only support yourselves, but also change other people’s lives. Trust me, with the right knowledge and skills, nothing is impossible.

So take that step now. Step out of your comfort zone, learn something new, and don’t be afraid to change. I’m confident that with effort and determination, you can become a successful entrepreneur and achieve more than you ever imagined.

Remember, success is not for the great. It’s for those who make the effort.

Prof. Datuk Wira Dr. Azizan Osman

Business growth strategist, mentor and TV & podcast host – guiding founders and MSMEs through expansion and scale.