The Edinburgh Business School (EBS) of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) continued the MBA CEO Faculty Lecture Series on Saturday, 11 November 2023, with Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi, a Board Member of the Securities Commission Malaysia and Former Executive Chairman of PwC. The event was held at the HWUM campus, where Dato’ Mohammad Faiz talked about ‘Navigating Strategy in a Digital Age.’

Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Azmi is among the many influential and respected business figures featured in the MBA CEO Faculty Lecture Series to share their expertise and insights on the industry, particularly on how to have a positive impact and shape the nation’s future through capital projects and strategic investments.

The lecture discussed the crucial factors companies must assess for business continuity and relevancy – evolution, adaptation, and innovation to drive success in today’s dynamic business landscape. Time, experience and ingenuity are also essential in devising and implementing strategies to garner a firm grasp on the market.

One of the key takeaways he shared was how strategies, plans and contingencies are essential for the survival of one’s business. The understanding from theories, research and case studies will only be useful when applied in a real-world scenario. It will all comes down to understanding the issues and constantly refining these strategies to ensure smoother navigation as time goes on.

“If you’re the so-called ‘new kid on the block’, you have to be vigilant and ready for anything; trust me when I say that things will be thrown at you from left and right,” he said.

“It’s not only about what you know but also who you know,” he added.

“Establishing and forging connections is a tale as old as time and will always be relevant in any industry. Knowing the laws of the land, understanding how things work in different regions and most importantly, learning from your mistakes will help you move forward with an objective.”

With almost four decades of experience, Dato’ Mohammad Faiz recognises that keeping up with market trends and constantly looking for new ventures and pathways are essential to succeed.

In this day and age, technological advancements come hand-in-hand with a company’s potential. The tools of the trade will always be there in some shape or form, and they will constantly be improved one way or another. The important thing is that they must remain as such: tools and nothing else.

A brief Q&A session then succeeds the talk before concluding with a group photo to mark the successful end of an educational and insightful event.