Firoz Thairnil, CEO & Founder Of Westford Education Group: How To Be a Highly Effective Leader During Turbulent Times
“Leading during challenging times involves being realistic, maintaining transparency, and instilling the confidence to endure tough times. You need to keep your team strong and united.
During the initial years of Westford, we faced difficulties, particularly in gaining community acceptance, which is crucial inhigher education. Trust takes time and it took us 3 years to gain that acceptance. But, as I said, I had belief in the vision I had set out for and ensured that the team identified with the vision and shared the passion and commitment. Our priority was to ensure excellent student support and maintain quality in the course delivery.”
Firoz Thairnil is CEO & Founder of Westford Education Group, a dynamic institution which aims to make quality higher education accessible to all. To achieve that, they have been harnessing technologies such as AI & Blockchain to build scalability in the system and maximize accessibility.
We spoke to Firoz about his story so far, his motivations, his approach to leadership and his plans for the future.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
I’m Firoz Thairnil, CEO & Founder of Westford Education Group. I started my professional life in a clerical role at Standard Chartered Bank in Mumbai and went on to work in the Banking industry for 15 years. In 2007, while pursuing my MBA at the University of Wales, I was inspired to venture into higher education. The pragmatism and accessibility of the UK Education System were so compelling that I determined to make it accessible to a wider audience. I was serving as National Head when I decided to step down and establish Westford in UAE. It was a culmination of several entrepreneurial attempts over two decades and my passion for education. Since then, Westford’s core objective has always been to make high-quality higher education accessible to more and more people.
Extensive research suggests that “purpose-driven businesses” are more successful in many areas. When your organisation started, what was its vision, what was its purpose?
It is the need of hour, people should look beyond profit, they should support the social system, that is the reason we have started UniAthena where we are offering Free High Quality Education to over 1.5 Million learners in a year, we have been able to reach out parts of world, where access was very difficult.
I believe that the time has come for companies to shift their focus from profits to the larger social ecosystem.
The objective of Westford Education Group has always been to make Quality Higher Education accessible to all. We have been diligently working to make our offering as affordable as accessible as possible. To achieve that, we’ve been harnessing technologies such as AI & Blockchain to build scalability in the system and maximize accessibility.
UniAthena, our e-learning platform has played a pivotal role in realising this vision. In just one year, we’ve been able to offer free learning opportunities to over 1.5 million learners. With UniAthena, we’ve been able to expand our global footprint into regions where educational access has historically been a formidable challenge.
Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion. Can you share with our readers a story from your own experience about how you lead your team during uncertain or difficult times?
Leading during challenging times involves being realistic, maintaining transparency, and instilling the confidence to endure tough times. You need to keep your team strong and united.
During the initial years of Westford, we faced difficulties, particularly in gaining community acceptance, which is crucial in higher education. Trust takes time and it took us 3 years to gain that acceptance. But, as I said, I had belief in the vision I had set out for and ensured that the team identified with the vision and shared the passion and commitment. All this time, our priority was to ensure excellent student support and maintain quality in the course delivery.
Did you ever consider giving up? Where did you get the motivation to continue through your challenges? What sustains your drive?
Never! I was always focused on my objective and believed in myself and my vision. I understood that failures are just another part of the journey and kept working towards my goals.
My dream and belief in myself have served as the primary sources of motivation and have sustained me through challenges.
When the future seems so uncertain, what is the best way to boost morale? What can a leader do to inspire, motivate and engage their team?
It’s essential for the team to believe in the vision and this starts with the leader’s confidence in the vision. You should be confident and ensure that the same is passed on to the team. Besides that, you should ensure that every team member knows the significance of their role and how they have a priming role in driving the impact.
Ensuring absolute transparency within the team is equally vital. The team must possess a clear understanding of the roadmap, milestones and progress that aligns with the organizational roles.
What is the best way to communicate difficult news to one’s team and stakeholders?
Such information should be communicated with utmost transparency, clarity and without delay. It should be direct, in-person and there should be no room for any uncertainties or doubts. Be it life or business, the highs and lows are part of the cycle and we should learn to get comfortable with both. The sooner we realize and normalize this reality, the better it becomes to deal with it.
How can a leader make plans when the future is so unpredictable?
As a leader, you will encounter various types of waves of change. Some are on expected lines, while others catch everyone by surprise. Expected changes arise out of industry shifts, technological advancements, or evolving industry trends. To navigate them, it’s crucial to continuously adapt your organisation. Your operations, infrastructure, and business model should be continuously worked on to remain not only compatible but also capable of capitalizing on emerging trends.
When it comes to unpredictable changes, your plans won’t always be foolproof but can act as a robust framework against the challenges. The key here is to adapt, embrace change, accept it, stay realistic and adjust accordingly.
Is there a “number one principle” that can help guide a company through the ups and downs of turbulent times?
In times of turbulence, flexibility and adaptation are crucial. It’s not just about responding to change. It’s about rapidly embracing the circumstances & making strategic shifts. The adoption can be in terms of changes in product or service portfolio or maybe the way you operate. The priority should be to sustain the organization while ensuring uninterrupted services to its valued customers and the financial stability of the organization. Such times generally call for a shift from profitability to sustenance. Ensuring cash flow and sustainability of business is the key. Reinforcing the vision and bringing confidence to the team is also needed to keep the it motivated.
Can you please give us your favourite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
“Dream is not that which you see while sleeping it is something that does not let you sleep.” ― A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
This quote by the Missile Man of India, Dr. Kalam, has been instrumental in shaping my journey to date. For me, it has served as a constant reminder to go the extra mile and be ready to make sacrifices when called upon. I literally couldn’t sleep until I achieved what I dreamt of, day and night! It is indeed a blessing that I have a dream which keeps me alive and awake.
What are your hopes for the future and Westford Education Group?
Technology is reshaping our lives, our work, and we’re already witnessing its transformative power. It is imperative for a 21st century citizen to understand the transition we are going through and to adapt to the same. At Westford Education Group, we envision ourselves playing a pivotal role in helping individuals align their skill sets to the evolving landscape.
We’re committed to excellence in Higher Education, making accessible and affordable upskilling opportunities to learners worldwide. Our aspiration is to be among the Top 10 Education Providers with technology at the core of our operations and delivery.
How can our readers further follow your work?
I’m not very active on social platforms. However, you can stay updated with our group and the company’s social media channels, where we regularly share insights, news, and updates. Additionally, you’re welcome to follow me on my LinkedIn page for more updates.
Thank you for your time!
