Inside the Mind of the Entrepreneur Behind This Book for Business Survival

Furkat Kasimov, a seasoned tech entrepreneur and digital innovation expert, has over 20 years of experience scaling businesses through cutting-edge technology and data-driven digital marketing strategies.

As the co-founder of LeadsMarket.com in 2011, Kasimov built the company from the ground up, growing it to nearly $100 million in annual revenue, all without external investment. He led a global team, developed proprietary software platforms, and harnessed the power of AI and machine learning to drive sustainable business growth.

Now, drawing from his extensive experience in the tech industry, Kasimov introduces his latest book, Don’t Do This: A Guide to Business Survival—a must-read for entrepreneurs looking to navigate and avoid common pitfalls in business.

Q: Your book title, “Don’t Do This: A Guide to Business Survival,” is intriguing. Can you elaborate on why you chose to focus on mistakes to avoid?

Furkat Kasimov: We learn as much, if not more, from missteps as we do from triumphs. It’s in navigating the complexities of what not to do that we discover the true potential for innovation and lasting success. This book is about illuminating those paths so others can chart their business journeys. 

With great affection and admiration, I want to credit Alibaba founder Jack Ma for inspiring this book. Mr. Ma once mentioned that he might write a book called Alibaba 1001 Mistakes. I have learned a lot from Mr. Ma and he continues to be an inspiration for a new generation of entrepreneurs.   

Q: How has your experience building LeadsMarket.com to a $100 million enterprise without external funding influenced the advice in your book?

Furkat Kasimov: The solution-oriented mindset of Extreme Ownership, as described by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin, was critical for the survival of LeadsMarket.com in its early days. In a bootstrapped venture, mistakes can be existential threats. You do not have the luxury of letting errors linger or become entrenched in guilt and finger-pointing. You must relentlessly focus on identifying problems, owning them immediately, and driving towards solutions with urgency and decisiveness. 

This urgency, this relentless focus on solutions, is a thread woven throughout “Don’t Do This” because in business, as in life, dwelling on the negative is a recipe for stagnation. At the same time, proactive problem-solving is the engine of progress. I included a separate section in the book about mistakes that I had dealt with.

Q: You are known for integrating AI into marketing strategies. How does your book address the role of AI in modern business survival?

Furkat Kasimov: We must never forget that technology serves the business, not vice versa. Maintaining the human touch, that spark of creativity that makes any venture truly special, is crucial. In my book, I caution against the overreliance on artificial intelligence (AI) in hiring decisions, noting that it has led some companies to select candidates who lack necessary skills and cultural fit. I suggest a balanced strategy to AI, integrating it thoughtfully rather than relying on it blindly.

Q: Your expertise spans digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and angel investing. How do these diverse experiences contribute to the survival strategies outlined in your book?

Furkat Kasimov: Each area, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and investing, provides a unique perspective on the business. They offer different points of view on problems and solutions. My book draws on these interconnected perspectives to provide a comprehensive view of what it takes to build a thriving enterprise. It is about seeing the big picture and understanding each piece’s importance.

Q: How does your book help entrepreneurs navigate the rapid development of business environments?

Furkat Kasimov: Business mistakes are part of the journey. They will happen. My book will help you identify mistakes early and teach you how to solve them. 

Q: With your background in AI and digital innovation, how does this book prepare readers for future technological disruptions in business?

Furkat Kasimov: FedEx founder Fredrick Smith said, “If you do not like change, you will hate extinction.” In my book, I emphasize the need for adaptability and embracing change, as resisting change can ultimately lead to negative consequences, including failure. The business world constantly evolves, and technology is a major driver of that change. My book discusses fostering a spirit of curiosity and adaptability and embracing the opportunities that come with change.

Q: Can you share a pivotal mistake from your entrepreneurial journey that readers will find in “Don’t Do This: A Guide to Business Survival” and explain how it shaped your business philosophy?

Furkat Kasimov: There was a time when we were so focused on growth that we briefly lost sight of the people who made it all possible. I quickly realized that a strong team, a positive culture, and genuine care for our people are the foundations of any successful endeavor. This lesson I share in the book is a reminder that every business, at its core, is about people. It’s about creating an environment where they can do their best work and be their best selves.

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