The challenges of a CEO — according to a CEO.
#TwelveDaysofISDI: Career advice, interviewing tips, and Silicon Valley secrets to make your 2018 the best it can be.
We’ve done it. We’re finally at the end of our #TwelveDaysofISDI series — for those of you who stuck it out with us from the beginning, thank you. For those who are just tuning in, we have so much more for you, check us out at blog.isdidigital.university.
We wanted to round up our career insights, interview tips, and motivation for a great 2018 with someone who leads, inspires, and we ourselves look to when help is needed — so we reached out to Amir Mashkoori, ISDI Digital University’s very own co-founder and CEO.
Amir is a visionary Silicon Valley business leader having led major technology companies to success — but his heart has always been devoted to coaching and teaching. He has previously served on the Board of the San Jose State University Tower Foundation and acted as Chair; his love for education has ultimately brought him to ISDI where he not only leads the team but also the Digital Vision & Strategy and Mobile & Apps modules.
Prior to ISDI, Amir has partnered with leaders and companies in Silicon Valley’s semiconductor, memory, wireless, cloud-based sensory, consumer interactive, analytics and internet of things industries to create significant value and in turn develop a global network. Over the past 15 years, Amir led the global memory business to $2B in annual revenue and number one in worldwide market share as General Manager of AMD’s wireless memory organization and delivered a world’s first cloud-based printed integrated circuit as CEO of start-up Kovio.
He has deep understanding of what it takes to create the experiential value required to set solutions apart in the marketplace. Amir brings his collective experience and passion to ISDI and he is determined to help all students succeed — both inside and out of the classroom.
Could you share with us a little bit about your background? How did you end up in education — more importantly, why?
I’m a product of the Silicon Valley tech community. I got started in the semiconductor industry when it was cool to be in semis, got into the Internet of Things space way too early before it was cool to be in IoT, and overall am extremely lucky to have met some tremendous people along the way.
I owe a lot of what I’ve achieved to the mentoring I’ve received from a community of friends and colleagues around me throughout my career. I only realized later in life that working full-time while attending SJSU full-time provided me an unique opportunity to apply what I was learning in school to my work and to fully appreciate the value of education.
The advice that I’ve received has shaped who I am today and I’ve always enjoyed doing the same for others. I am now in a position, at a university, where I have the opportunity to do bring together my passion for work and education together on a larger scale, work with friends and colleagues I enjoy working with, and to solve relevant issues that are impacting many of those around us.
What is the best lesson you’ve learned from a boss, and one you’ve learned as a boss?
From my first boss, I learned to do whatever it takes.
From my second boss, to work hard and play hard.
My third boss taught me the power of respect and true friendship. Not just the LinkedIn type!
My fourth boss, showed me how to celebrate wins with the team.
Fifth boss used to say if everyone does their job, all jobs will be done. He wasn’t exactly a people person. :)
Sixth boss taught me the introverts advantage.
Seventh boss taught me that you can get a lousy investment opportunity funded by a VC on a day where they’ve had a great exit, and get rejected on an awesome opportunity on a bad day for them. Isn’t that the truth for everything?!
As for me, I always say that life — and work — are about the little things. Make the little things great and the big things will be greater.
What’s something about Silicon Valley that people on the outside may not expect?
The pace. I’ve traveled all around the world and there is no other place that can match the rate of work and innovation that happens in Silicon Valley. It’s so fast that it sometimes it takes me three days just to slow down enough to enjoy a vacation.
The work is almost video-game-ish where everyone’s busting tail to stay ahead and not become obsolete. Whereas a Detroit can fall due to its inability to stay relevant in the auto industry, Silicon Valley thrives on obsoleting its own capabilities.
It is an amazing melting pot of the best and brightest from around the world with something for everyone.
A home with a tiny lot is pretty pricey, but then again California is your backyard.
For those who dream to become a CEO one day, what are some of the most surprising challenges a CEO faces? What is your greatest reward?
Ironically, the easy part was becoming a CEO as there was a clear path and roadmap on how to get there. The hard part is what to do when you get there. You’re no longer optimizing, you are now creating, a lot of times from scratch.
Nothing beats winning with a great team! Whether you are first to market with a product or take over the top spot in market share, the feeling of accomplishment for a team that’s made the impossible, possible is hard to beat.
Make a prediction. Any prediction.
The 49ers will make the playoffs in 2018 and Jimmy Garoppolo will be Sportsman of the year.
Finally, is there anything you want to share about ISDI with our readers?
Give it a shot and take a closer look under the hood.
I’ve been with ISDI for two years now, and what surprises me the most is that I have yet to meet anyone who thinks that our dedication to digital transformation — of both individuals and organizations alike — is a “bad” idea or not relevant in today’s incredibly fast paced world. That said, “digital transformation” is not the most straight forward concept to grasp, so sometimes it takes just an open mind and a closer look.
We have a truly unique blend of holistic education, the program has been recognized and approved as a master’s degree by the state of California, and best yet — we bring in a lot of people I truly respect and admire, some of the leading digital business professionals from Silicon Valley and beyond.
With that, thank you again for being a part of our #TwelveDaysofISDI journey. To see all the days, take a look below. To learn more about ISDI Digital University and our 9-month master’s degree for digital business program, visit us at www.isdidigital.university.
Most importantly, above all, have a wonderful holiday season with loved ones, and if you’d like any love or support in the new year, you know where to find us.
Love,
ISDI Team.
Day 1: Former VP of Talent at LinkedIn and a Partridge in a Pear Tree
Day 2: Director of Digital and Social of the 49ers and Two Turtle Doves
Day 3: Three-time Author @britopian and Three French Hens
Day 4: Research Director of Google Cloud and Four Calling Birds
Day 5: CEO of Charlotte Russe and Five Golden Rings
Day 6: Founder of Adobe Analytics Consulting Group and Six Geese A-Laying
Day 7: VP of Marketing at Box and Seven Swans A-Swimming
Day 8: SVP of Digital & Marketing at Zeno Group and Eight Maids A-Milking
Day 9: Agile SCRUM Master and Nine Ladies Dancing
Day 10: Coriant CCO and Ten Lords of Leaping
Day 11: ISDI Student and Eleven Pipers Piper
To learn more about ISDI Digital University and the 9-month master’s degree in digital business program, visit us at www.isdidigital.university.
