FastTech Media: An Edu-Tech Startup Promoting IT skills in Pakistan

Zulfiqar Anees, founder of FastTech Media tells us how the firm creates digital solutions for businesses.

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

Zulfiqar Anees: Thank Allah Almighty, I am fine, and Covid has affected my daily life a lot. No matter what difficult situations may arise, one must be prepared to face them. My family is also fine by the grace of Allah, and all are safe from Corona. Daily routines weren’t so affected, but the government’s lockdown was a bit of a hassle. All is well now. Corona would have been very difficult to control if government instructions had not been followed. Under the leadership of our Prime Minister Imran Khan, the Pakistani nation fought together. The Corona Tiger Force also performed important services in the harsh conditions of COVID-19.

Tell us about you, your career, and how you founded FastTech Media.

Zulfiqar Anees: I am an entrepreneur, IT specialist, and trainer. I have started my career as an IT specialist in 2018. First of all, I have started a technology magazine TechMag.com.pk in 2016. This is the popular technology magazine in Pakistan, and it won the best online technology magazine of the year award from APAC Insider in 2020.

In 2019, I started FastTech Media with a vision of providing the best IT skills and services in Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Covid-19 has affected people’s lives so much that people face many difficulties in employment, and most of the people have become unemployed due to Corona. In this situation of Corona, those who are in search of employment opportunities, FastTech Media has started the project to teach IT skills to students and unemployed peoples so that they could be able to make money online while staying safe at home.

How does FastTech Media innovate? 

Zulfiqar Anees: The purpose of starting my startup was to train students in IT skills and make them employable. At the same time, we are providing different types of IT services, including software development, web development, SEO, digital marketing, content writing, and graphics designing, so that people can reach more customers by doing their business online in the days of Corona.

Our company is now expanding its services, and we aim to benefit as many people as possible, especially women who cannot go out for a job for any reason. Because of this idea, our startup, FastTech Media, was selected in NIC Lums in Cohort 6, and NIC Lums is providing training on entrepreneurship.

How does the coronavirus pandemic affect your business finances?

Zulfiqar Anees: In the beginning, it was very difficult. But gradually, everything became manageable. We are now providing training to university students. And providing IT-related services to clients. We don’t want any educated unemployed in our area. If anyone has any, let them learn IT skills from us and start earning money online as a freelancer.

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

Zulfiqar Anees: Now that we have a start, we are not facing any major difficulties, but in the future, as we move forward, we will be fully prepared to face all kinds of challenges. Whether it’s a human resource issue, training, or development.

How did your customer relationship management evolve? Do you use any specific tools to be efficient?

Zulfiqar Anees: Customer relationship is the backbone for any startup. When you provide quality services to a customer, they will come back to you and tell new people. He will become word of mouth. That’s why a good customer relationship is so important for any company. We are using different tools for a good customer relationship, including Zoho CRM, Mailchimp, BuzzSumo and Buffer, etc.

Did you benefit from any government grants, and did that help keep your business afloat?

Zulfiqar Anees: No, currently we are getting training from NIC Lums, and when the training sessions will be completed, then we will pitch our idea. The big investors can approach us.

Your final thoughts?

Zulfiqar Anees: As a Founder at FastTech Media, my mission and vision is the working for the welfare of humankind. Resolving their unemployment problems with the help of my team. In my experience, our startup is very sustainable because we all started it with very little money, and so far, our first batch is getting training. Because of COVID-19, about 60-70 percent of new jobs are introduced in the market, and people will have job opportunities at home, so the more they will benefit. It is a great way to save the world from poverty.

Your website?

https://www.fasttechmedia.com