“Finish what you start, but expect the unexpected.” That was the advice from Dato’ Wira Dr. Ameer Ali Mydin to students at INTI International College Subang during a recent guest lecture focused on leadership, values, and the realities of business.
Speaking to over 200 participants at a session hosted by the School of Business and Communication (SBC), Dato’ Wira Dr. Ameer shared unvarnished insights drawn from decades of running Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad — one of Malaysia’s largest halal retail chains. Titled “Leadership and Legacy: Blueprint for Young Entrepreneurs,” the talk aimed to connect academic learning with real-world experience.
The guest lecture, hosted by INTI International College Subang’s School of Business and Communication, drew over 200 participants.
Drawing from Mydin’s growth since its founding in 1957, he stressed the importance of prioritising customer satisfaction over brand image.
“We talk a lot about brand positioning, but at the end of the day, if you don’t satisfy your customers, your brand doesn’t mean much,” he said.
This approach reflects his broader business philosophy: success should benefit the communities that make it possible.
“Make money from the community, but never forget to return value to them. That’s what builds trust,” he added, underlining his belief that profitability and social responsibility must go hand in hand.
Dr. Siti Baqiuratul Zahraa’ Abdul Rahim, event supervisor and a Senior Lecturer at SBC, said the talk gave students a broader view of what it means to leave a legacy.
“The talk pushed students to think about the kind of impact they want to make beyond their careers,” she shared.
Discipline and resilience were recurring themes. Reflecting on his own path from chemistry student to retail leader, Dato’ Wira Dr. Ameer encouraged students to stay open to change.
“Your degree may not land you the job you expect, but that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It’s about resilience and being ready to adapt,” he said.
He also cautioned against rushing into entrepreneurship.
“Get real-world experience first,” he advised, encouraging students to understand customer behaviour, logistics, and sourcing before starting a business. “Know how a business runs before you start one.”
On the subject of mistakes, Dato’ Wira Dr. Ameer was candid.
“Out of every 10 decisions, at least two might be wrong. But if you learn from them, it’s worth it,” he said. “Sometimes, if your heart swings a bit, that may be a sign it’s not the right choice.”
The session made a strong impression on its organisers.
“It’s one thing to learn about business in theory, but hearing firsthand from someone who has lived through the ups and downs makes the journey feel real and achievable,” said event committee member Tong Zhi Jun, a student pursuing his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Marketing 3+0 in collaboration with University of Hertfordshire, UK at INTI.
Loroshaankumaar Sivakumar, an event committee member and student pursuing the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Marketing 3+0 in collaboration with University of Hertfordshire, UK programme at INTI added, “This wasn’t just about business success. It was about the kind of person you want to be as you build something meaningful. Dato’ Wira Dr. Ameer showed us that both can go hand in hand.”
The lecture also reflected the values shared between INTI and Mydin. In July 2024, SBC students partnered with the company to distribute RM7,000 worth of essential groceries to B40 households in Selangor as part of a joint ESG initiative.
Dato’ Wira Dr. Ameer Ali Mydin (left), Managing Director of Mydin Mohamed Holdings, spent over 45 minutes sharing insights with aspiring entrepreneurs, in a session moderated by Organising Chairperson Loroshaankumaar Sivakumar.