At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Noor Mohammed Jeelani for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Noor is an Apple Certified Trainer & Consultant, Certified LEGOⓇ SERIOUS PLAYⓇ Facilitator and an Influencer. Let’s learn more about his background, inspiring journey so far and his advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Noor:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My professional journey since 2005 (20 years) so far has been into training the IT Support teams of Large & Medium Organisations and the Individual users of Apple Devices, including Macintosh, iPhone, iPad and other Apple Software and Hardware Solutions. Apart from training, I am also an Apple Authorised Solutions Consultant.
After completing my Diploma in Automobile Engineering from P E S Polytechnic, Bangalore. I joined a Maruti Car Dealership as a Final Inspector in Bangalore. Then, not knowing what to do, I did learn multiple software programs, including AutoCAD, Adobe Photoshop, 3D Studio Max, Web Designing and worked with different companies.
And finally, in 2005, I landed in an Apple Technical Support Centre owned by Aditya Birla Group. I was providing Telephone Technical Support to Apple Customers in the UK & Ireland. Within a span of 10 months promoted as a Technical Trainer, and I have 4 certifications from Apple as an Apple Certified Trainer, valid globally.
Till 2018, I had worked for different organisations that are authorised by Apple as Training Centres, Premium Retail Stores, Service Providers and Distributors. Currently, I am a training provider for Apple and have been training various large, medium and small organisations.
So far, I have trained more than 7000 IT Professionals who are responsible for supporting their organisations. And also trained more than 3000 users on productivity and creativity using Apple Devices.
Apart from Apple, I am also an internationally certified soft skills trainer. I have trained sales and customer service professionals of various organisations, including IT Retail, Apple Retail, Automobile Sales and Service, and Electronic Manufacturing organisations, on effective communication and interpersonal skills to provide customer service excellence.
How did you discover your passion?
For years I have been working with different verticals including, Mechanical / Automobile Component designs using AutoCAD, 3D Studio Max, Solid Works, Then I did even work for a BPO And finally landed in a web designing company who use to sell websites, email services where I learnt some basics of IT Software and Hardware.
It was only after 8 years of my wandering into various jobs I suddenly one day get a call from a consultant who wanted to send me for an interview with AOL ( America Online ) for a chat support and they also mentioned there is an opportunity to attend interview for an Apple Technical Support Centre with a company owned by Aditya Birla Group called Minacs. Back then, I didn’t know that Apple had a Technical Support Centre in India.
I ignored everything and responded to the consultant, please let me go to Minacs. And then I attended the interview at Minacs. It was 5 rounds of interviews and finally I was hired, and after 6 weeks of training and clearing 4 Apple Exams, I was included in a team to provide with Telephone Technical Support for Apple UK and Ireland Customers. And the rest is history, as you already know.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
I have learnt things the hard way always. I was a below-average student in my academics. That means the biggest challenge I had was communication. My Schooling is done in a Small Town named Chintamani (Karnataka) where the English language is heard rarely.
In a way, those 8 years where I changed jobs frequently also gave me an opportunity to learn new skills, English Language, Effective Communication, Presentation, Customer Service, and Teamwork. It was that 8 years filled with various challenges that made me strong enough to face tough situations to reach where I am today.
Today, when I come across challenges, I know either I can pass through and win over OR give up without attempting and regret for life. I always decide to attempt the challenge with the best of my abilities and the support available, if any. And I must say I have been successful 90% of the time, if not 100%.
This motivates me to attempt any challenge I come across personally OR Professionally. I always draw my strength from my past successes, and I am determined to overcome any obstacles that come my way.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
My Uncle (Father’s younger brother) used to tell me. As long as you hold your fist without exposing what you hold in your palm, the whole world is curious to know what do you have.
And my Father used to tell me: The Tree which bears abundance fruits will have many stones thrown at it.
The above-mentioned 2 advice have remained in my mind forever, and it will be for my lifetime.
I used to consider people with their Face Value and trust them blindly and do everything what is in my capacity to uplift them OR help them. It was very difficult for me to say NO to someone. In return, I did not expect anything but just to remain as a friend OR a contact. But I was easily forgotten by the same people within no time.
I have been drained financially, burdened with stress and anxiety, many times in life by various people whom I considered my best friends. And surprisingly, there are some people in my life who have given me more than what they have taken from me.
So the lessons I learnt are:
1) Take time to understand people. Don’t be in a hurry to judge people before engaging with them for anything.
2) It is better to be alone in business; however, collaborate with people who are really genuine and who reciprocate the same values as I do
3) Be Available for genuine people when they need me the most.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Among the various key factors for success. I consider the following keys the most effective.
> Plan First
> Take Calculative Risks
> Be Confident in Approach
> Have a Plan B always
> Learn from the past failures
> Be Proactive
> Learn from every opportunity, whether failure OR success.
> Offer help to people in need.
> Build Trust and Maintain Ethics
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Academics are essential as they give you immediate recognition as a graduate / postgraduate OR a master’s degree in some stream.
However, it is very very important to focus on your interpersonal skills that includes, Learn Effective ways of communication, Making Impactful presentations, being an Active Listener, and being open to feedback. Cherish the positive feedback and consider negative feedback as an opportunity to learn and improve to be your next best version.
Build courage to face failures and analyse your failures carefully to plan your next move. Be Ready to unlearn things when needed for your own good.
Have both Personal and Professional Goals and work consistently towards achieving them. Focus more on things you need to improve and work towards converting them into your strong points.
Most importantly, now is the time to start things, to be happy and to find your passion and work towards achieving your goals.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
Most of my time is spent on Training People on various skills, including both Technical and non-technical. With every batch I train, I look for opportunities to do something better than what I did for my previous batch. That includes my delivery style, my approach, the real-world examples and the flow of topics and the flow of thoughts.
I have been consistently practising the above ever since I started my training. And have been getting positive feedback on my training delivery style, best use of Examples, storytelling Telling and adding humour to make my sessions interesting, build curiosity and engaging.
This constant effort has led to getting very good feedback on my work, which motivates me to do better every time with every session. And builds excitement in me for each and every training I deliver, whether it is a short seminar OR a 4-day workshop.
Among the feedbacks, some of my participants write about how my training has motivated them to be a better person and present their best version to the world.
Even after attending technical training programs and workshops people write their feedback about how my training has enhanced their knowledge on Apple Technology which will help them do their job better.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
