Logo Design Genius CEO, Salman Lakhani, Talks to Us About Business Challenges and Surviving the Pandemic

We talked to Salman Lakhani on how Logo Design Genius helps every business grow and here is what he said about it.

First of all, how are you and your family doing in these COVID-19 times? 

Salman Lakhani: We continue to live in challenging times, and we have adjusted to the ‘new normal’ with family and work. I mention ‘work’ along with ‘family’ because all those I work with are my family. 

Since last year, I believe we have come a long way in terms of getting used to the COVID-19 precautions, and it’s the first experience of something like this that demands you to conform to new norms. 

Since we made the adjustment during the first wave, taking precautions is not unfamiliar territory to us. As soon as we heard about the increasing number of Covid-19 cases with the second wave, we immediately knew what we had to do.

While we’ve fully implemented every precaution with the new onset, we continue to work with enthusiasm, manage work, and explore new opportunities. We’re an upbeat breed of tech people, and we have a long association with one another, so we remain supportive of each other. We have each other’s backs. That’s family.

Tell us about you, your career, how you founded Logo Design Genius.

Salman Lakhani: I started my career as a lot of other tech people. I began as an intern and worked with several organizations. I absorbed the basics, and after a significant amount of hard work, I landed a junior position, which was about the time I knew enough to become the boldest and probably the most inquisitive person in my proximity, at least. I asked way more questions than I needed to, and I was delighted with the way seniors responded for the most part. While I still had to figure out several things on my own, answers from my seniors gave me the directions I was in search of.

I’d like to say that the research aspect of work is of immense importance. 2 decades ago, we didn’t have the kind of online help that people have these days, such as Youtube’s capabilities or Google’s fantastic search results. But the good thing is that we hadn’t a clue as to how much better things were going to get in terms of access to information. So, that scarcity of information worked out pretty well because it made me and a lot of other people work a lot harder than we probably would have. 

I fell in love with my work early in life because I knew one thing; only I was the one who was going to get things done, and no one was going to help me. While people at some point did happen to come along and lend me a hand, I never depended on them. I welcomed their help, but I was always prepared to work as though that help might not be around for long.

Eventually, when you work hard enough and work smartly, too, opportunities tend to show up more regularly than you’d expect. That’s what eventually happened. 

Working in the industry gave me the clarity I needed to understand what opportunity was best for me. As soon as I realized the demand for digital services in the United States of America, I knew what needed to be done. And that’s when I founded Logo Design Genius. 

How does Logo Design Genius innovate? 

Salman Lakhani: In order to innovate, I think it’s important to do extensive research and always stay updated with what’s new. This is how you get to see what’s happening around you and how you may make things better. Also, revisiting ideas repeatedly so that they are more refined than before is a magnificent approach. 

Coming back to the research element in innovation, there are progressive changes in technologies, and we always need to chase after them in order to remain relevant. When we explore these technologies as they are created or as they evolve, we look for what we can do with them. Some are quite powerful, while others may give you just what you need to cope with a certain problem you face. That’s up to us as we see it and try to leverage a solution in the best way possible.

Within this, we brainstorm to come up with the best ideas for leveraging a given technology. While I am in a leadership position and argue my heart out, I like people who believe in their idea to step up and counter me with their case. If they back themselves up, preferably with data, their ideas should win. The best ideas should always win.

How the coronavirus pandemic affects your business, and how are you coping?

Salman Lakhani: While we struggled through the first wave of the pandemic, many of us adjusted to the new normal, and we braced ourselves for the second wave. We take comfort in the speedy research that’s ongoing, but we’re wary of the looming threats. So, we take all precautions with no handshakes, sanitizers at every nook and corner, strict social distancing, wearing masks in the workplace, body temperature checks, disposable utilities, etc. 

We don’t restrict anyone from opting to work from home, and we have the technology to aid seamless operations no matter where employees are stationed. In fact, I’d even say that this sort of work arrangement tends to reveal how dedicated each individual is toward his or her work. Their input from a remote location speaks volumes of their credibility. During the peak point of the pandemic, when we had skeleton staff, even then, our work never stopped. Thing ran smoothly, and that’s largely because we communicated well and remained focused on our targets.

The coronavirus has had a negative impact on almost every industry. Here, at Logo Design Genius, we are doing our very best to keep ourselves on our feet. We’ve developed different strategies in order to adapt to the current situation in which the pandemic has placed us. We believe if we keep pushing ourselves forward, we’ll come out of this pandemic stronger and even better.  

Did you have to make difficult choices, and what are the lessons learned?

Salman Lakhani: Every leader has to make difficult choices. Some may be painful, but nonetheless have to be made. I don’t make decisions under pressure. I take my time when processing information before making a judgment call, and I think things through carefully. I discuss details of a situation with my top people, and I may even talk to the concerned parties involved directly in a dispute or other situation if need be. 

Regardless of the decision, it has to be in the best interests of the company. Sometimes, when we decide on something, things may backfire, but we have to be willing to live with the consequences of that and move forward. 

Through experience, I can tell you that nothing stops you or your company from doing what has to be done. You will always find a way, but the idea is to make the best possible judgment calls in the toughest situations without letting things derail too much.

How do you deal with stress and anxiety, how do you project yourself and Logo Design Genius in the future?

Salman Lakhani: Logo Design Genius has been around for a decade, and during this time, we have learned so many things about how we should work and how we can be better as people and as a company. This includes handling stress and anxiety. We have an environment that probably has the right amount of urgency and work ethic to drive creativity. Our relaxed approach allows employees to do as much as they can within their time at work. 

In this industry, we have long enough to know how long a particular task takes and what skill level is required to get that task done. So, if an employee performs within or around an expected time frame, we know he or she is good to go. When they struggle, we try to help them get to that expected proficiency level through friendly collaboration that gives them the confidence they need.

Oftentimes, I tell my people to work hard and play harder. I know that’s a huge trigger for the mind and body, for them and me. This is why company sports events and entertainment are important. I want them to relax but also be stimulated and then work because that’s how they can perform well. I apply this same thing to myself; I often exercise because that does wonders for regulating things in my body and mind, and I advise everyone to do the same.  

Who are your competitors? And how do you plan to stay in the game?

Salman Lakhani: For a lot of businesses, competitors exist in the traditional sense of the term. However, I am my own competitor, and Logo Design Genius is its own competitor. Now, what that means is; we often think we have to beat others when, in reality, we need to be better with each passing day and beat the previous day’s version of ourselves. Sure, we do need to watch out for what’s going on in the market, but if we don’t improve ourselves consistently, we can never get better at what we do. 

Your final thoughts?

Salman Lakhani: Working with the right people is something I believe is very important in order to become successful. In my opinion, a company grows only when it comprises a bunch of enthusiastic people who understand the company’s goals and wish to achieve them.

I believe Logo Design Genius’s success is due to the brilliant minds I have worked with and the talented individuals I am currently working with. 

Your website?

https://logodesigngenius.com/