Interview with an entrepreneur - Term Paper Example

? Interview with an Entrepreneur Introduction to the Entrepreneur: Entrepreneur’s Afzal Kahn Occupation: Founder & CEO of Project Kahn and Kahn Design Company name: A Kahn Design Contact number: 01274-74-99-99 Email: KAHN@KAHNDESIGN.COM About the Entrepreneur: Afzal Khan is a passionate businessman and an automotive designer who is famous for his creations of Range Rover, Rolls-Royce and Bentley programs, and the ownership of two Bugatti Veyrons, currently placed in Bradford, UK. Afzal Kahn is the creator of A Kahn Design Group of Companies and CEO of Project Kahn and Kahn Design. His basic education was in the field of Architecture. Kahn Design is a British company expert is producing bespoke vehicles. The Kahn design factory is located in Bradford, UK and it was initially incorporated in 1988. In 2003, the company has grown into car design modifications and initiated as Project Kahn and Kahn Design. His company sells an average of 250 bespoke vehicles a year and moreover, he is developing a parallel property business under Kahn Landmark and has a buying capability of over ?75 million with properties worldwide. He has also moved into the world of watch design and is on the lookout for a talented fashion designer who can help launch the Project Kahn fashion-label. Also, he has recently purchased the UK's most expensive number plate, F1. During an Interview Afzal Kahn was asked several questions about his entrepreneurship and success. Following are the answers given by Afzal Kahn in response to the questions that were asked in an exclusive interview: How Kahn took Start-up of Entrepreneurship? (Entrepreneur Process and Opportunity Identification) Afzal Kahn studied architecture but he always had a strong passion for cars. At some initial age, he give up architecture and established Auto Design Technics in Bradford and within five years he made sufficient money and went on to set up A Kahn Design. Afzal Kahn said that he strongly consider that everybody has given with a gift just like Armani has a gift for fashion design, he feels that he has borne with a gift for car designing. At his teenage, he got motivated from the plastic coffin making factory where he learned the skills of managing a factory. Kahn said that he was always passionate about cars and his dream was to set up a shop of car. Later on, implemented his skills into practice and then after few years he started making plastic parts which are used in cars and then he founded an Auto Design Technics in Bradford. Initially he did not start with direct supply to customer and as he earned money, he established his working staff and expanded his product ranges. In start, he was unaware of owning patents and its important and therefore, Kahn’s customers were using his deigns and works into their product ranges. Then he decided to expand his products range and selling them to the consumers directly. In the duration of just five years of hard work and devotion towards work, he made a sufficient amount of money and established A. Kahn Design. Thus direct business by selling directly to customers amplified his earning which enabled him to try out with a wider product range. By the time, A. Kahn Design became experts of designing different parts of car. His first remarkable creation was the design of a wheel rim (five- spoke) and for making it; he went to Italy to discover a factory where he can manage to start its production. About this creation, Kahn said that this invention was different to everything else out at that time. This invention was very less advertised but still his wheels sold in a very short time. In recent years, Kahn expanded his business. He then managed to buy a few Land Rovers and then he revealed their original design and then re-engineered them with his own style. Kahn’s work is different from others as Kahn has invested a lot in technology unlike other competitors he made the model of the car digital which looked like a real one when others were using clay models. What is the theme for Kahn’s success and popularity? Afzal Kahn answered it in a realistic style that the secret for a car to look good is that it needs to be balanced in the precise way. He does not launch a product until he is satisfied with the design. The ability to improve the original design while reserving the car’s originality is a theme of Kahn’s designs and work. Kahn re-design existing cars and modify them to improve their looks and design. The aim of Kahn Design is to add up the existing design with sophisticated styles. A. Kahn Design spends a lot of money in precise research and development of product designs. All this efforts make Kahn’s designs to achieve top success. Kahn’s work is not limited to automobiles. What are other areas under the Kahn’s developing business? Kahn was initially got an offer to work together with an existing timepiece manufacturer but Kahn is a keen collector of fine timepieces and as a personal interest he launched his own designed timepieces brand range of products in 2007. The timepieces collection gives him a direct success from the brand entity of timepiece collections which consists of the great sophistication of Kahn classic designs with striking product range. All timepieces in the collection were manufactured to the highest standards, reflecting the quality and achievement which Kahn included in designing his best bespoke wheels. The Kahn fashion accessory range is growing rapidly with more products which are under progression. Future expansion of Kahn’ business would be the invention of a Kahn’s Boutique. With success in other areas, he would definitely get success in this business area too. What are the biggest challenges which Kahn faced as a Entrepreneur? He said that while establishing a designing company, the major challenge is to get manufacturer support. Kahn has made a good relationship with Land Rover but its support is still up to a certain limits. He found that establishing and maintaining industrial relationships with other manufacturers always proves difficult because everyone wants to support a businessman to whom they trust more, and to build a trust takes a lot of time and struggle and Kahn always try to do his best for proving himself to be a number one designer. What is the future prospects for Kahn Design? These days, Kahn’s business is expanding rapidly, Kahn currently own about dealerships in the United Kingdom but he is more willing to expand higher and to make partners in the Middle East and China. Recently Kahn has made an agreement with the owners of Jeep to put on the market a modified and improved version of Jeep’s Wrangler truck and Kahn rebranded it as the Chelsea Truck. He has also combined with Audi, Porsche and Ferrari and used British parts of car in these brands of cars. Kahn is constantly investing in new product development and leading technology to guarantee to create products that stands out from others. Measuring the success of Entrepreneur: The venture which Afzal Kahn has established in a dedicated manner is found to be successful as he putted in a lot of hard work dedications in taking up his business to the peak levels of success and revenue. The criteria from that makes the venture successful depends upon the market situation and demands of the time. The Afzal Kahn business is growing very rapidly day by day because in today’s corporate world people has demanding lifestyle and Kahn’s business successfully satisfies his customers as he provide with the demanding designs, qualities and innovations in the products range. By his efforts and investments in new products design, Kahn’s designs are made with distinctions from other’s design and this distinction has lead his design to the top demanding levels in today’s market. While achieving this outstanding success, Kahn had to give up his most loving and important thing which is the time that he could spent with his family as he has to be very devoted and dedicated towards his work. He works day and night and he wants his family to live a secure life in a safe environment. Kahn’ work is very dedicated and he is very honest with his work. This dedications and efforts make him a successful entrepreneur in today’s competitive business world. Judgment: In future, if I get an opportunity to invest in this type of venture in automotive sector, i.e. to start a business of improving and modifying cars and designing cars and other collections, I would involve personally in this venture because I have a built in passion for designing new products with innovative ideas. I would also like to invest and work for Afzal Kahn’s business because he is a shining star who has reached to higher level of success in business world and becoming a part of his work would be a great experience of my life. To be a successful Entrepreneur, I must follow Kahn’s saying that we cannot get anything on a plate, we must work hard for achieving our dreams. This is the theme which Afzal Kahn has followed by and to be a successful entrepreneur like him, I have to move on his path. Therefore as I have an enthusiasm towards designing and creating new products then to be a successful Entrepreneur like Afzal Kahn, I must work hard and invest in this venture with a desire of success. Read More