Interview with Furkat Kasimov
Hi Furkat, what inspired you to become an author, and how does your passion for writing drive your work?
My extensive experience in the business world inspired me to become an author. There, I witnessed firsthand the numerous pitfalls that entrepreneurs and business owners often encounter. Having spent over two decades building and scaling companies, I developed a passion for mentoring others and sharing the lessons I've learned—both from successes and, perhaps more importantly, from mistakes. This passion for helping others avoid the same errors that I and many others have made is the driving force behind my writing.
Q. Your book, "Don't Do This: A Guide to Business Survival." What inspired you to write this book, and what do you hope readers take away from it?
The inspiration for "Don't Do This" came from recognizing a gap in traditional business literature. Many books focus on success stories and theoretical frameworks, but I wanted to create a practical guide grounded in business realities. I was inspired to share the often-unspoken mistakes that companies make, both big and small, to provide a real-world education for entrepreneurs. I hope readers will learn from these examples, identify potential problems in their ventures before they escalate, and ultimately increase their chances of business survival and long-term success.
Q. What sets "Don't Do This" apart from other business guides, and how does your approach differ from more traditional business advice?
What sets "Don't Do This" apart is its direct, no-nonsense approach. Unlike many business guides that offer theoretical advice or focus solely on success stories, my book delves into real-life mistakes made by actual businesses. Each example is concise and provides clear takeaways on what went wrong and how to avoid similar errors. This approach differs from traditional business advice by focusing on practical learning through the experiences of others, presented in a friendly yet honest tone, treating readers like smart adults who can learn from cautionary tales.
Q. Your book focuses on sharing real-life mistakes from actual businesses to help entrepreneurs avoid making the same errors. Can you share with us one of the most surprising or eye-opening mistakes you came across during your research?
The book contains close to 150 real-life mistakes, and many were quite surprising and eye-opening. However, the provided documents do not highlight one specific mistake as the most surprising or eye-opening. The book itself provides numerous examples across various aspects of business.
Q. Many entrepreneurs and business owners might be hesitant to admit their mistakes or failures. How do you think your book can help shift the conversation around failure and learning from mistakes?
I believe "Don't Do This" can help shift the conversation around failure by normalizing it as a crucial part of the business journey. By openly sharing a multitude of real mistakes, the book demonstrates that errors are common and, more importantly, valuable learning opportunities. It encourages a culture of transparency and honesty, suggesting that by acknowledging and understanding past missteps – whether our own or those of others – we can gain invaluable insights and avoid repeating them. The book's tone aims to create a safe space for learning from these experiences without judgment.
Q. Your book covers a wide range of topics, from handling money to managing people. Can you walk us through your process for organizing and structuring the content of your book?
My content-organizing process was driven by the key areas critical to business survival. I structured the book to cover essential aspects such as handling money, managing people, marketing, leadership, and more. Within each section, I presented specific mistakes as short, clear examples, followed by actionable advice on how to avoid them. The inclusion of checklists and direct tips throughout the book was intended to make the information easily digestible and immediately applicable for readers facing various business challenges.
Q. What are your long-term goals as an author, and how do you see your writing evolving in the next 5-10 years?
As an author with a background deeply rooted in building technology businesses, my long-term goal is to continue creating resources that offer practical, real-world guidance for entrepreneurs navigating the ever-evolving business landscape. Having experienced the transformative power of technology firsthand, and with a keen interest in the burgeoning impact of AI, I see my writing evolving to explore these intersections more deeply.
In the next 5-10 years, I envision expanding beyond just sharing past mistakes to also providing insights into how emerging technologies like AI can be strategically leveraged for business survival and growth. I might explore topics such as building AI-powered tools, adapting business models to incorporate AI, and understanding the potential pitfalls and opportunities that AI presents. I would aim to bridge the gap between technological advancements and practical business applications, offering actionable advice grounded in my own experiences in the tech industry. Just as "Don't Do This" focused on learning from the past, future writings could focus on proactively navigating the future with technology as a key enabler.
Q. Can you share with us some of your notable achievements as an author, and how they've contributed to your growth and success?
As an author, one of the most notable achievements has been the positive reception of "Don't Do This: A Guide to Business Survival." Hearing from readers about how the book has helped them identify potential pitfalls and make better decisions in their businesses is incredibly rewarding. This feedback and the increasing attention the book is receiving validate the approach of sharing practical, real-world lessons. This success motivates me to continue sharing my experiences and insights in ways that can benefit others in the business community.
Q. How do you stay motivated and inspired to continue writing, and what role do your readers play in your creative process?
My primary motivation comes from my passion for helping entrepreneurs succeed. Knowing that my experiences and insights can make a tangible difference in someone's business journey is a powerful driving force. The positive feedback and engagement from readers who have found value in "Don't Do This" serve as a significant source of inspiration, encouraging me to continue sharing knowledge and potentially explore future writing projects.
Q. What's next for you, Furkat? Are you working on any new projects or books that you can share with us?
While I am always exploring new ideas and considering future projects, my current focus is on ensuring that "Don't Do This: A Guide to Business Survival" reaches as many people as possible and provides them with valuable guidance. I don't have any specific plans for new books to announce at this time, but I remain actively engaged in the business world and continue to gather insights that could potentially inform future writing.
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