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Clarity

Saif Siddiqui

London, UK

I help Businesses, from Start-Ups to Global firms, overcome their management and growth related challenges.

Over the years I've successfully delivered M&A programmes, TOM Implementations, Digital Strategy, vendor selections and contract negotiations of significant value, outsourcing, helped build Startups and advise them too, through the Startup Weekend organisation.

I have a strong technology background but have always worked in bridging the gap between business and technology ensuring that the right solutions are delivered. I have worked in the Telco, Transport (Airline & Rail), Insurance & IT sectors predominantly.

What I can help with:

- Ideation to Startup
- Business & Strategy Development
- Organisational Structure
- Operational Planning
- Financial / Sales Forecasting
- Pitch Development
- VC Pitching
- General Coaching / Mentoring

I look forward to working with you and adding value.

Always focussed on Delivering Awesomeness!
http://saifsiddiqui.com

$2.00/min

4 Calls

22 Reviews

about 1 hour
Avg. call

Startup Consulting Strategy Project Management Business Strategy IT Strategy Mobile Technology Start-up Consulting M&A experience Acquisition Integration Strategic Sourcing

Call me to talk about

Team Building and Leadership

I've run and worked on multiple programmes in varied fields from M&A programmes to programme recovery and everything in between.

Engagements where you have to build teams and work with diverse groups of stakeholders and carry those people with you to achieve the vision to those other engagements where part of the brief is "you're not here to make friends but deliver the change"

I can help talk you through the steps you should take to ensure your success in any delivery situation regardless of whether the people are located nearby or halfway across the globe.

Always focussed on adding value

Saif

Ideation to Startup

Having been a Startup Mentor and worked with successful startups before I'm keen to share that knowledge and help you move from an idea to a startup.

The best way to develop the viability of a startup or idea is to use the Business Model Canvas.

Using this framework I can rapidly work with you towards homing in on the strengths and weaknesses of your idea and helping you to focus on the real areas value generation moving forwards.

Startup Growth

Once you've got your idea, defined a product, identified your target market, honed in on a USP and are ready to go with a few quick failures under your belt, you will actually need to start thinking about building a proper startup OR what used to be called a business!

Sometimes the hardest part of being a startup is getting all of this 'stuff' right; hiring people, firing people, getting an office rented, looking at infrastructure and then the really important stuff about how you should structure the organisation and how you should look to grow the business. But ultimately is it about making sure you can keep growing the demand and keeping up with that growth as an organisation

I've been part of and helped startups in the past and can help you see the wood for the trees.

I loved the experience. Let me help you.

Business Growth & That Nasty Chasm

This is for all of you who have made it. You're now operating as a SME and are ready to take the next big jump. But you don't know where to start. Growth may be steady or increasing but you need help in gearing up your business to cope with the next level of growth.

Maybe you know what you need to do but can only focus / invest in one area.

I will work with you to ensure that you attack the most relevant area of your business to ensure you achieve the best return.

Let's talk.

Strategic Planning / Roadmaps / Brainstorming / Customer Journey Development

In Virtually every role I have had I have had to bring to bear my Strategic planning skills. Each scenario has been different but a combination of the following has always lead to the successful outcome to ensure the correct approach.

Here I will talk you through these approaches and how best to apply them to your particular scenario

- Customer Journey Mapping
- Business Process Mapping
- 'As is' & 'To be' planning
- Enterprise Digital Strategy (information flow across the application estate)

Answers 4
Reviews 22

Answers

Saif Siddiqui answered

What is the best way to get paid speaking engagements?

Hey there

Without knowing the specific industry you're targeting I can only provide general advice.

However, my background is in the technology sector with primarily specific experience in the Telco & Transport sectors. So if I draw on my own experience I would work through the following steps.

1 - Brainstorm the top 3 topics you feel you are confident to speak about and could mould around a specific engagement.
2 - Identify the regular speaking opportunities locally and regionally that you could attend without too much trouble.
3 - Reach out to your network. Let people know you are looking for this kind of opportunity
4 - Be totally willing to speak for free to build up experience as well as a name for yourself.

Everyone would love to walk straight into a paid speaking gig. The reality is that you have to build up a reputation first and only then will people be willing to pay for your services.

Some events, once convinced of your value add, will be willing to pay for your travel costs but not your time. If you can start by getting those you are doing well. Go to the event. Smash it out of the park. Network like crazy. Build a list of other opportunities to pitch for.

Once you have done a few 'free' engagements you can use those as a springboard in your marketing to help draw in paid work. Obviously having a strong social media presence with videos of you speaking at events and details of where you have spoken in the past and are due to in the future greatly help.

Also look at local business support groups where you can build up a following as a 'go to' guy for your sector.

There are a number of approaches you can take and will vary by your background and target audience.

I hope that gives you a little bit of a pointer in how to get started.

Feel free to schedule a call if you would like to discuss further.

Wishing the best for you

Regards

Saif
www.saifsiddiqui.com

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Public Speaking

Saif Siddiqui answered

I hired a firm to to work with me on a startup idea. I have wireframes and their proposal to build. Is it ethical to bid out the work they produced?

All depends on the understanding with which they provided their proposal and what level of 'work' they delivered to you.

If the work is just what they would consider to be part of their sales process then you should be okay but if they went above and beyond with the expectation of winning the final project then there are ethical questions for you to consider.

Having said that, this is how many larger firms operate. They send out RFIs and then based on the information they get back they refine and re-issue a more detailed specification in their RFP.

If you know what you're doing and are clear at the start then there shouldn't be a problem

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App Development

Saif Siddiqui answered

If I own a company and the annual revenue is $100,000, and I have investors with a 15% ownership. Where does the money go?

This will depend on a number of things including but not limited to:

* Structure of the company
* Shares previously issued
* Number and type of shares issued for the 15% ownership
* Number and type of shares issued for the remaining 85% ownership
* Priority of dividend payment against each type / class of shares your company has issued. As well as whether they are to be paid before any other outstanding debt the company has
* Obligatory dividend payments
* Contracted agreement for dividend payments to invetors

Given the number of variables, contracted or otherwise, I would strongly recommend you speak with an accountant who understand the applicable legislation to your company depending on where it was incorporated and where it operates.

Please give me a call if you'd like to discuss anything further.

Wishing the best for you

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Financial Analysis

Saif Siddiqui answered

Looking for an ideal M&A broker with strong credentials/ contacts in US and UK particularly within Top-tier travel sector for fast growing SME? Thanks

Hello there

There is not going to be a binary answer to your question. The variables of what you want to achieve, your situation (both personal & corporate) and more specifically what the market is dictating will all have a bearing on things.

I have worked on large international M&A engagements previously and also have good contacts internationally in the Airline / Travel sector.

I have quite recently worked with a FinTech organisation preparing them to take on investment for growth or acquisition. Experience I believe which would be of benefit to you in the position you describe. I can assist on the deal brokering side of things.

I'm a firm believer in adding value and look forward to being able to do so when we speak.

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M&A experience

Brokers

Exit Strategies

Reviews

After my call with Saif I feel motivated to make positive changes to my business. Saif gave me so much useful information that I can implement right away to start making profits. Thank you and I look forward to future calls!

Carly Dawson Source: Clarity

Saif is an incredibly knowledgable and motivating mentor, imparting practical wisdom and sage advice to entrepreneurs seeking to propel their business towards success. I look forward to continue learning for his invaluable insights!

Sofiya Khan Source: Clarity

I worked with Saif at the conception stages of Aspective. He was always pushing the boundaries and thinking outside of the box. An excellent teamworker.

Ahmed Rawaf Source: LinkedIn

Saif really has a handle on Programme issues and Delivery issues. He was steering the Programme in the direction that seemed to be the best option for everyone, all round. He negotiates well and is clear and concise. These qualities/skills were invaluable when the company needed guidance and advice in an area of intranet/access to information that was new to senior people and staff.

Gary Buck Source: LinkedIn

Saif looks at the bigger picture as well as managing his programmes and projects effectively. During my time working as Enterprise Architect for a specific programme, Saif had the Programme Management responsibility and in addition to smooth management of the work streams, was able to accomplish some significant contributions toward the EA, including the closure of some important enterprise licenses and the rsolution of some critical staffing issues for strategic projects.

Dennis Fletcher Source: LinkedIn

Saif worked with me as programme manager. I found Saif's knowledge and prefessional integrity to be first class.

Richard Carter Source: LinkedIn

Saif has good working knowledge of best practise and what needed to get done for successful implementation of the requirements. Also knew what behaviours needed to change within the business to achieve the full benefits.

Heather Dostine Source: LinkedIn

Having worked with Saif on a number of programs, I found that Saif has the unique ability to translate complex IT and business solutions and present implementation plans that all stakeholders understand. He is diligent, has an excellent eye for detail and cares about the work he delivers. Saif would be a valuable asset to anyone's organization.

Adil Hosgor Source: LinkedIn

Saif is a walking treasure trove of wisdom and sage advice for start-ups and enterprises alike. His experiences with BT hot houses and other clients makes him a good choice for innovation programs. Rare for a Program or Project Manager, Saif brings a deep appreciation of the leadership qualities successful IT programs need and mentors teams through both the technical, business and design challenge of strategic IT investment. I have no doubt of more great things from Saif in the future.

Daryl Wallace Source: LinkedIn

I had the pleasure of working with Saif at Emirates and found him to be an extremely thorough and capable Programme Manager. His attention to detail and ability to navigate a programme of work through very difficult situations made him stand out from the many Programme Managers I have worked with. Saif’s was able to effectively navigate through the complex CMMi structure in an extremely short period of time and cleared multiple organisational road blocks to ensure on time delivery. He is a great asset to any programme and I would be delighted to work with him at any time in the future.

private private Source: LinkedIn

Saif has to be one of the most interesting people I have worked with, certainly one of the most intense.

Saif has an affinity with people who want to get on; people who want to better themselves. Even with high-profile jobs, there can be a frustration with the day-job. Saif looks to understand the problems.

I've worked with Saif, and he may be able to join like minded people together!

Stuart O'Garr Source: LinkedIn

Member since November 2013