B.

Entrepreneur’s Background

Personal Information

Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid was one of the most successful female entrepreneur in
history of Malaysia. She was born on 18th April 1955 in district of Jerlun, Kedah. Originated
from a fully Malay descendant, she was married to Haji Shaheen Mirza Habib at the age of
24 and was gifted five children. On the other hand, she has shown great determination and
several contribution to the country by joining the national party of United Malay National
Organization and Barisan National. From these involvement and her successful
entrepreneurship background, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid become a national recognition and
inspiration to all fellow Malaysian. Thus, she was given the nickname of “Iron Lady”.

Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid is a diligent and hardworking person. She dreamt that
there will be a 36 hours a day. Why? Because she said there will be not enough time for
everything and hope that she can learnt everything in a single day. That’s shown how
determinate this person was. Other than that, she also stated that going through various
practical and internship programs are much better than obtaining a degree. For her,
knowledge without obtaining necessary training and exercise is merely nothing.

With this principles, across her lifetime, the late Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid, was
acquired several outstanding academic achievements. For example, she has acquired two
diplomas which are Diploma in Administration Business Executive (ABE) and Diploma in
Personal and Personnel Management while also obtaining Doctorate in Business
Administration in Entrepreneurship, Motivation and Human Capital Development from
Central State University of New York. Besides, she also attend the Business School for
Entrepreneurs in USA and also Business School for Investors in Singapore. She also earned
several valuable practical knowledge throughout Malaysia Institute Managements and also
Excellerated Instructors’ Training & Corporate Education from USA.

Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid also become the pillar of the community. Earning several
medals and achievement and also become an inspiration to another people. She also a
generous persons in term of sharing her success with another people. This can be seen when
she give motivation and talk to other fellow Malaysian and encourage other with her success.
She also narrated and wrote as many as ten inspirational books for other people in hoping of
inspiring others. This includes the famous “Motivasi Memburu Kejayaan 3K” that earn
reputation as one of the best motivational materials.

In addition, she was also a very active and diligent person. Across her lifetime, she
hold approximately eight position. Making thing more interesting, six out of eight were
absolutely nothing to do with her company. For her this is one of a few things that she can
contribute to community. In addition, she once hold a position in one of the most influence
organization in Malaysia, as a chairman of Tabung Haji Travel Industries Sdn. Bhd. and
become a board member of the Lembaga Tabung Haji.

Other than that, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid also involve active in politics. She
became a member of the national biggest party the United Malay National Organization
(UMNO) and Barisan Nasional. She actively became the leader of Wanita UMNO in her
hometown Jerlun and Ayer Hitam. She also become the leader of Wanita UMNO of Kedah
state and become one of the EXCO of UMNO in national party. From this party, she move
actively by contributing more to other people by becoming a volunteer and help assisting
during national disaster.
 Unfortunately, for the past two months of August and September 2017, our Iron Lady
had complaint about fatigue. On late September, she was admitted to ward in Institut Jantung
Negara (IJN) after early assessment encountered a problem within her heart valve. An
immediate surgery is schedule. Yet, our Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid meet her death at the age
of 62 on Wednesday, 4th October 2017 on 6.00 p.m. after a serious heart complication.

Starting Her Business

By relying and fully-prepared with the knowledge and experiences earned across the
globe, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid took a step further in her life by aiming to start a business
on her own feet. She believe that an opportunity will arrive soon and she had to grab it.

Then, one day an opportunity came. A dying small security company at the verge of
bankruptcy due to multiples debts. Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid seen this as an opportunity
and seize this once in a lifetime chance. Yet, this is just her single steps of thousands steps
journey. Many obstacles and challenges will come through.

She started her business with staggering very little amount of money. After
withdrawing all money in her bank account and also his husband’s, borrowing from relatives
and a few other sources, she only can accomplish to collect approximately RM 5,000. RM
5,000 is merely a small value compare to other security company that start with six figures
modals.

With this RM 5,000 she will use it for everything; employing workers, buying
equipment and pay office rental. It all seems impossible at first but at the end, this talented
lady shown that nothing is possible and everything can be achieved. She wanted to create
history and also an eye-opening moment for Malaysian that a women also can strive and
successful in that particular area. More important, she wanted to prove that a women can
become a successful entrepreneur.
Factor Creation of Business

On the other hand, there is a story on how actually security profession system was
chosen by Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid. At first, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid was given an
invitation at a country out of Malaysia. There, she was invited to the embassy of that country.
At that embassy, she was astonished with the security system of that embassy. For her, it was
perfectly organize and all the security officer was well-equipped and trained. She remember
at her own country at that moment, there was no such system was provided by any sectors.
She thought that it will be a great idea to start this kind of business.

When she arrive at Malaysia, she spoke out her idea to her beloved husband.
Surprisingly, her husband thought this will be such a great idea and a country like Malaysia
need a well-improved security system provided by a private sector. He sees this as an
opportunity because at that moment, only a few security company available and many flaws
at those company can be detected. Until then, an opportunity came.
C. Company’s Background

Name of Company and Type of Business

Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid successfully founding a security company about three
decades ago. The company established and raised by Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid was given
name and called Securiforce Sdn. Bhd. Sounds like an odd name, but Securiforce is derived
from two main words in security world; “secure” and “force” which resembles strength and if
directly translated, it means “kuasa selamat” in Malay.

Securiforce Sdn. Bhd. was registered under Akta Syarikat 1965 on 27th September
1980. With a careful planning and a wise management, Securiforce has growth exponentially.
Today, despite being a well-known company providing a best Cash and Transit service,
Securiforce also had now providing a more specific service, such as a safe transporting
service. This newly introduced service help to raise the import and export trading in and out
of Malaysia.

Just like other company, Securiforce Sdn. Bhd. also have its own corporate mission.
Their mission is to bring Securiforce to the forefront as a leading and iinovative security
company which provides value-added services tailored to meet the varying needs of their
customers. They are committed to be a most customer-friendly integrated one-stop centre for
all types of quality security services required when providing customer satisfaction will be
their top priority.
How She Run the Business

Early in the establishment of Securiforce Sdn. Bhd., the company only afford to hire
five security guard. Making thing even worse, they were run out of modals and bank
application was declined. Thus, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid had to sell their house to pay
their workers. Not even that, she also had to become the part time guard of that company on
the supermarket and her husband had to patrol their own customer’s house. Datuk Wira
Maznah Hamid once stated that the first ten years of the company establishment is the most
difficult years for her, her husband and also Securiforce. Sdn. Bhd.

Yet every cloud has silver lining and there must be a light at the end of the tunnel,
finally their effort finally paid off. Slowly they rise and expand their company inch by inch.
Today, we can see the word “SECURIFORCE” everywhere. Whether on armoured truck or
security guard shirt, Securiforce Sdn. Bhd. Had become a phenomenal in Malaysia’s security
system. They also managed to expand their business up to Singapore, Thailand, South Korea,
Turkey and also Germany. Securiforce now has 60 branches across all the globe, employing
more than 4000 personnel compare to early establishment where only five peoples. The
company also now has more than 600 armoured and soft skin vehicles including trucks,
prime movers and containers. Making things more interesting is that the armoured trucks are
design by the Securiforce Sdn. Bhd itself.

In context of her personal life when running the business, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid
is a clever and wise employers. Before making any decisions, she will discuss and meeting
with her husbands and few others board members. For her, listening to other opinions and
suggestions are better than making a self-decision. Other than that, she is a concern
employers. She always ask her employers upon their condition and how their working routine
goes on. She welcomed and ready to hear any problems regarding her employee job. For her,
this is one of the way to detect any problems in the company. She is also a very systematic
person. She love everything to be organized and properly scheduled. For her, a well-arranged
plan is better and have higher rate of its will succeed.
Target Customers

Throughout 30 years of the company, the company had become one of the reliable
security force with a very high reputation. It has gain the trust of the local bank including one
of the biggest bank in Malaysia, Malayan Banking Berhad. Others customers are include
EON Bank Berhad, AFFIN Bank Berhad, Bank Islam, Alliance Bank, Agro Bank, Rashid
Hussain Berhad (RHB) Bank and many others bank. It also gains the trust and confidence of
a broad range of company and organization. Most of the customers includes of possession of
highly valuable goods and secure needed factory to guard their belongings. For example
Securiforce Sdn. Bhd. become a security provider for the famous semiconductor company,
Infineon Technologies, Carsem Malaysia Berhad and many others factory. Securiforce Sdn.
Bhd also become the security provider for the mobile phone company such as Motorola
Malaysia Berhad. Other customers also include other financial institutions such as
Internationational Money Express (IME). Some of the government agencies also used
Securiforce services such as Ministry of Education, retail chain outlets such as Mydin and
Giant supermarket and for other commercial or domestic entities.
D. Entrepreneur’s Achievement

Profits

Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid has achieved several outstanding achievements in her
lifetime. First of all in context of how profitable she was, there were no exact numbers or
facts that shown how much that Securiforce Sdn. Bhd. has earned due to the company private
and confidential state, but considering of having 6000 workers that working inside the
company within 60 branches across the globe and also 600 self-design armoured truck, it is
estimated that Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid’s business is worth multimillion. Thus, by judging
of her early modals and todays net worth, she has profit in millions.

Awards and Achievement

In addition of millions profit, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid also acquired numerous
awards and achievement. For her successful achievements she had been awarded:

 Anugerah Graduan Cemerlang Daya Kepimpinan Diri - PDL.

 Anugerah Tokoh Usahawan – DPMM (WP) – 1990

 Anugerah Wanita Cemerlang Tan Sri Fatimah Hashim -Avon

 Anugerah Wanita Kehormat - Universiti Putra Malaysia

 Anugerah Khas Hari Kualiti Kementerian Pembangunan Usahawan dan Koperasi

 Anugerah Kecemerlangan Wanita 2005 – Majalah Her World

 Anugerah Wanita Kedah Cemerlang 2006 – Kerajaan Negeri Kedah Darul Aman

 Tokoh Usahawan 2006 – DPMM – Kedah

 Anugerah BrandLaureate –SMEs, Brand Personaliti 2007 – (The Asia Pacific Brand
Foundations - APBF)

 Anugerah Ibu Usahawan 2008 –  AVON

 Anugerah Ijazah Kehormat Keusahawanan 2008 – Help University

 Anugerah Usahawan Luarbiasa – National Women Entrepreneurs Award 2008 -

 Anugerah Phd, Ijazah Kedoktoran Pentadbiran Perniagaan dalam bidang

 Anugerah Perdana Menteri Usahawan Wanita 2011 (Finalis)

 Anugerah Platinum Entrepreneur Award 2011 – SME Recognition Award 2011

 Anugerah Tokoh Ibu Harmoni 2012 – Utusan Karya

Other than that, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid also earn several medals for her contribution
to her hometown state, Kedah and her country in general.

 Ahli Mahkota Kedah (AMK) - 1991

Key Success Factors

Just like other individual success there are factors that lead towards success. All of
this award and achievement were driven by several key success factors. These factors were
including from a person, her self-attitude and other general factors.

First and foremost, there is a saying stated that “behind every man success is a
woman”, yet in our Iron Lady case, there is a man behind this successful women. The person
is her husband. The continuous support and encouragement from her beloved husband, Haji
Shaheen Mirza Habib were there all the thick and thin time of his wife. This perhaps provide
a morale boost for our Iron Lady to pursue her dreams and never giving up. From the very
beginning amidst the hardship they face through till the last breath of a successful
entrepreneur, her husband always supporting and be with her.
 On the other hand, she also was well-educated and trained before jumping into the
world of business. As been stated earlier, she had achieved higher education in degree and
also doctorate from the overseas. Not even that, she spent years of internship and training in
well-known facility in Malaysia. It is also undeniable that attending several famous business
school was aiding her success. Thus, we can conclude that before taking the first step in order
to begin her own business, technically she was fully-prepared with complex business
knowledge.

Other than that, I strongly agree by the fact that her keen determination till the end
was one of her key success. Although that she faced many hardship in her business, she never
shown any sign of despair. Neither out of modal nor at the verge of bankruptcy, nothing can
stand against this women purity of will to succeed. Whenever obstacles or challenges that try
put her down, her rise even stronger and eventually against all the odds, an initial RM 5,000
modal have now earn a global recognition.
E. What are the competencies of the entrepreneur

Philosophy and Belief

Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid is a diligent and hardworking person. She dreamt that
there will be a 36 hours a day. Why? Because she said there will be not enough time for
everything and hope that she can learnt everything in a single day. That’s shown how
determinate this person was. Other than that, she also stated that going through various
practical and internship programs are much better than obtaining a degree. For her,
knowledge without obtaining necessary training and exercise is merely nothing.

She also shared one of her business success factor is that to stay committed all the
time. She said that if you are doing something, commit to it and give 100% effort on it. More
important thing is, finish the thing that you start. Do not left anything only halfway through
and for her, unfinished business will soon ruin everything.

Other than that, her philosophy is that never give up. For her, whatever comes through
or whatever people said, never let it put you down and rise even stronger. We can took
exemplary upon her determination when facing financial problems. She embrace herself and
took a dramatic step by becoming the security guard herself. She believe that behind those
hardship, lies a meaningful and sweet success waiting for those who not despair.

Challenges Faced

There will be no rainbow without rain and also there will be no success without
obstacles and failure. Before rising and merge as a successful entrepreneur there are many
obstacles that are been faced through by our Iron Lady.

The first problems come as soon as she decided to take over and buy the company.
The company was at dying state, follows by many debts and at the verge of bankruptcy. As
been heard, it was not an easy decision. Many things had been considered and the final
decision was taken to take over the company. In addition, she only has RM 5,000 at that
moment. Imagine of starting a huge scale company with only RM 5,000 as modal. Not even
that, she only can employ five workers early in the stage of establishment. Indeed, there are
many problems lies ahead.

Next, the problem emerge when that RM 5,000 was run out. The new problem emerge
on how to find money to pay all the workers. Aware of this problem, she tried to apply for the
financial support especially from the local bank. Yet judging from her financial and
occupational records, her applicants was rejected because of no steady and stable income.
She was in desperate to pay the salary all of the workers.

Other than that, another problem arise from the shortage number of workers. Imagine
a security company only have five employees. That sounds impossible but that’s how it goes
for Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid and her husband. Usually a company consist of board of
directors, managers, supervisors and a lot of staffs and surely five people cannot fulfilled all
of this position.

Perhaps the last and not least important problems was actually that Datuk Wira
Maznah Hamid had zero knowledge on security system. It is undeniable that this amazing
women has gone to various business school, earn a doctorate in business and also further her
study in linguistic but not in security area. She jump in this business based on the inspiration
of visiting a highly security of an overseas embassy system.

How Challenge is Overcome

Desperate measure needed desperate action. Firstly in order to overcome the shortage
of modal, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid probably took the most desperate action by selling her
own house. She and her husband than move to more economic housing area and use the
money of selling the house for the sake of her business.

With that money, she used it to pay the salary of the workers. Other than that, she
also tried to gradually add the number of workers in the company. This to reduce the burden
arise from the short number of workers. She also used this new modal to enhance her
company by buying more equipment and rescale the company management.
 Other than that, to overcome the shortage number of workers, Datuk Wira Maznah
Hamid become the worker herself in the company. She also joined by her beloved husband
that become a part time security guard. Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid become the manager and
also part time security guard at the local supermarket. Besides, her husband also become
security guard at the customer house. He patrols and observe one of their customers’
residential area.

Last but not least, as times goes by, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid learnt how the
security management works. From days to days, her knowledge about security system
improve by seeing flaws and problems happened on the field. Thanks to her part time security
guard job, she gains more experience and can detect more problems facing by her employees
and Securiforce Sdn. Bhd. in general.
F. Conclusion

In a nutshell, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid shown a very charismatic character along
upon her lifetime. It is really sad that she had left us, yet there are several example from her
character that I can emulate and follow. Perhaps by took exemplary and make her an idol,
maybe one day I can achieve my dreams of becoming a successful entrepreneur one day.

First and foremost, the thing that I can learnt from her is surely her willing of never
giving up. For her, never surrender of whatever that try to put you down. Rise up and become
more eager than ever. She had shown tremendous determination to become successful when
she was willingly become one of her company’s worker. Other than that, I could not imagine
how determine she was to continue proceed on her job despite having absolutely nothing,
rejected by bank and also loss her lovely home. For me, her exuberant spirit should be taken
as a role model her will to success was something at next level.

On the other hand, Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid had shown us that if you want to
succeed and become a good entrepreneur, you must willing to take risk. She had shown
several risk taking action especially of taking over the dying security company. With the only
RM 5,000 she had, she keen to start a company. For her, this is a risk and also once in a
lifetime opportunity. She also took a dramatic action by selling her house for earning more
money for modal. Without this two major risk taken by Datuk Wira Maznah Hamid, she
probably would not become a successful persons.

Besides that, if I am a successful entrepreneur one day, I will do and follow exactly
what she had done; give back and contribute to the community. She do various things to
contribute to the community such as donation. This shown that she is actually a very
generous person. She donates some of her wealth to the charity. Next, she also help and guide
other people by giving motivation and talk. This also shows her generosity in term of sharing
her success story to other people that want to succeed like her. She also share her success
story and teach others in the books that she wrote.
 Next, in order to become a successful entrepreneur, I must have the courage to take
risk. If I am the same spot where I started, I cannot improve myself or even achieve victory.
That’s what been shown by our Iron Lady. If want to succeed, must take risk. First, she took
risk when at first place, decided to take over the dying company. There, all of the thousands
steps journey started. Many other hardship come, and more risk had been taken such as
selling her own house to gain more money. These such risk actually rise her and make her
success. Hence, risk taken is important for an entrepreneur.

Last but not least, something that I can took example from our Iron Lady is that her
diligent and hardworking attitude. Her loves to knowledge character is something that can be
follow. This is because knowledge is something that is important and in business world, more
knowledge you gain, the better you understand how the thing goes.