Why do I have to work 9am to 6pm?

THIS week we catch up with Will Group Sdn Bhd, Chatime master franchisee, Managing Director Aliza Ali

How has your life experience made you the leader you are today?
I question a lot. For example, can we make it better? Why do I have to work 9am to 6pm? Why do I have to be in the classroom and be there all the time when I think I can study better when I’m on my own? That part of me where I like to find ways to do things better have paved my way to business. Rather than using the conventional way, I think of ways to make it better and determining my own future.
What traits do you look for in your talent or how do you decide who is right for a job?
Someone who is knowledgeable, has the confidence to voice out and can adapt to changes and improvise.
What advice can you offer those looking to start their career/own business?
First, they have to observe the market and observe people who have succeeded. Adapt and improvise what quality these people have and learn from them. Make them as an example to forge ahead rather than only with your own ideas without looking at what’s in the market.
How has mentorship made a difference in your professional life?
I don’t have a person who I call a mentor but I read about people who are successful. From there, I see their examples, what they do to make themselves successful and the qualities they have. Those are not classroom education but you’ve got to observe successful people.
What do you want to accomplish in the next five years?
We’d like to be a role model to young entrepreneurs, especially to women entrepreneurs. Women can be successful and be in the field that is headed by men.

Most admired business leader? Why?
American businessman Ray Kroc, who is responsible for expanding McDonald's into a mega franchise. That takes a lot of skills, perseverance and self-believe to make it big.

What has been the biggest challenge you have faced? And what did you learn from it?
To start Will Group from scratch to what is it today. What you decide will determine what is your future. People think that we have it easy. It’s not.

Malaysia's greatest brand.
Neelofa. The way I see a greatest brand is how they start. I always admire those that start from zero or from an idea. I give it to Neelofa who founded a Muslim women's clothing brand Naelofar Hijab. Personally, what she does is impressive, to start something from scratch and to make it what is it now.

A must-read for every business owner/manager is ..
Who Moved My Cheese? It’s about adapting to changes. When you do business, you’ve got to be able to adapt to changes because it comes every day. How we run a business 10 years ago is not the same now.
What are the top three factors you would attribute to your success?
Perseverance; ability to adapt to changes; and ability to see the positive side of a situation and seeing the opportunity in it.