Extrovert. Green thumb. Family man. Meet the person behind Marketing In Asia’s Editor for Bahasa Melayu – the other side of him of course.
What are you up to lately?
To start, I’m with Marketing In Asia, an online magazine as their – in this case, your – Editor for Bahasa Melayu and I am working on a few projects with the agencies. So yeah, I just started a new collaboration on content marketing and bloggers outreach for a new client in the early childhood education industry and I hope everything will run smoothly as it is.
Where are you now?
Technically speaking, I will say that I’m in Rawang, Selangor.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
Let’s see. I’m a marketer, a proud husband and father of four children. I graduated with an honorary bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Wolverhampton, UK, in 1997 and started my first career as a public relation officer soon after I graduated.
Later on, I managed to secure a permanent job as a marketing executive in an asset management company in 1998 where I successfully engaged in several marketing projects in Malaysia, Indonesia and Frankfurt, Germany. I was then promoted as the Head of Marketing and a representative to our associates in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Frankly speaking, I don’t really enjoy working in the ‘too serious’ corporate environment and in 2003, I was offered an opportunity to venture into the advertising business as a marketing director. As exciting as it is, alas, we were among those who have been affected by the economic crisis in 2008 due to our client’s non-performing debts and contracts cancellation.
Truth be told, it was my darkest time; a major setback of my life, but also a turning point when I accepted an offer to engage as one of the marketing advisory panels for social enterprise projects.
From that moment on, I ran my career as a socialpreneur and started my digital focus as a blogger in 2011. Fortunately for me, I was featured on RTM1, TV3, radio station and several forums and dialogues with well-known bloggers, influencers and digitalpreneurs in Malaysia.
It also supports my professional recognition to become a member of the Institute of Marketing Malaysia and suffice to say, that’s how my journey as a digital marketer grew to this day.
Your Zodiac?
Definitely a Sagittarius.
Are you an introvert or extrovert?
I would consider myself an extrovert. I mean, I enjoy talking and getting social but when situations call for it, I prefer to sit back, listen and observe.
Your official designation now is?
Currently, I’m the Principal Consultant of Khir Khalid Resources, an associate marketing entity focusing on digital marketing and content management.
Marketing is broad, what’s your specialty?
I can confidently say I specialised in project management on content marketing, blogger network, outreach and campaign.
What do you love about marketing?
There are three aspects that I love about marketing; establishing connections, social creativity and the changing of market trends over the time.
What do you hate about Marketing?
Every writer, journo’s enemy: deadlines. They simply kill your creativity, you know?
When thinking, you’d like to be alone or with people?
I prefer to be alone, but then again, depends on the situation. Sometimes being with a certain person talking about a certain subject helps a lot.
Your ideas, most of them came from?
I can proudly say from my observations, past experiences and social interaction.
Are you a digital nomad or an office freak?
This I would go for a 100 percent digital nomad. I’m a coffee addict who enjoys working from cafés and coffee shops.
Your favourite social media?
I prefer blogs and websites over social media, but for the past 10 years I have enjoyed Facebook and Instagram. For the sake of my career growth, I prefer LinkedIn.
What do you do when you’re not working?
I love gardening. It is my favourite pastime.
Who’s your marketing icon?
I have two marketing icons that really inspire my career in marketing. First would be Philip Kotler for his educational input since I was in college. The second one is Neil Patel for his useful tips on digital marketing.
What is the first thing you’d do when you’re hired/chosen to handle a new project?
First, I’d work on understanding the details of the project, with whom I coordinate or team I work with and analyse the whole situation in providing the best framework for the plan and implementation.
Are you a morning person or a night owl?
Easy. I’m a morning person.
How do you stay motivated?
I’m a family oriented person. Family is the best gift that always keeps me motivated. Other than that, I enjoy reading inspirational stories of successful people and great personalities.
Ever got ideas from movies or songs?
Yes, definitely. I’m a fan of Pearl Jam and Sheryl Crow. Their music inspires creative ideas and energetic qualities.
How to contact you?
I can be contacted through my email.
