Aesara Partners 

At Aesara Partners, our mission is simple: enable you to be the best version of yourself. We offer a range of focused services that unlock the potential of people, teams and cultures to maximise business performance. 

Collectively our Partners and Associates have decades of experience both in executive coaching and as board level leaders themselves working in multiple sectors across global markets.

Partner & Executive Coach

Doshisha University

Professor of Strategic Management, Global MBA Program

The CFO Coach K.K.

The CFO Coach K.K. is a boutique executive coaching firm specializing in developing High-Performance​ Financial Leaders and Teams.

Founder & Executive Coach

Kansai Gaidai University

•	Awarded President's Global Education Award (Teacher of the Year).

Professor of Leadership & Management

Benesse Holdings, Inc. (USD 4.5B; Tokyo Stock Exchange Code: 9783)

•	Member of the Board of Directors for Berlitz Corporation; Benesse Corporation; and Benesse Style Care.  Chairman of Audit Committee for Berlitz Corporation. Member of Benesse Holdings Pension Committee.
•	Global CFO covering all 40+ Benesse group companies
•	Championed and supported multiple cash generation initiatives including a CFO led "Save to Grow" initiative to improve Company Financial performance and to identify significant savings for business reinvestment
•	Enhanced Finance bench strength and hired a high potential team to start financial business consulting
•	Implemented several process and capability best practices to move group companies towards global standards

Global Chief Financial Officer & Corporate Senior Vice President

McCann Worldgroup Holdings

• Overall Responsibility for Operations (Finance, IT, Legal, and Administration - 10 legal entities) 
• Successfully turned around long term loss making lead agency by delivering double digit margin improvements within two years
• Delivered double digit margin improvements for all six MWG Group companies 
• Built a new Finance team and moved from Scorekeeping to Business Partnership and improved business performance
• Major projects within last two years include: 
  - Shared Service center creation/migration
  - New Financial System Migration
  - Acquisition & Divestiture
  - Business Turnaround
  - Retirement Plan consolidation/change
  - Office relocation/rent reductions

Group Chief Financial Officer, Executive Vice President, and Member of The Board

Becton, Dickinson and Company

• Led Finance, Procurement, General Affairs, and Rebates teams (43 staff) to deliver multi-million dollar cash and profit performance improvement for first year and beyond. Exceeded all budget expectations.
• Engaged Japan Management Team and Global Finance Leadership Team on company objectives to deliver best outcome (Finance Transformation initiative, Sales effectiveness improvement, Key Account Management, Business Continuity plan, and strategy/selection of backup distribution center).  Led process for 2012-16 Business Plan development
• Developed and executed Finance department strategy and vision to move from scorekeeping to business partnership. Implemented job rotation program and hired several high potential employees to improve bench strength.
• Championed multiple Finance and Procurement initiatives including definition and implementation of new 401k Retirement Plan; divestiture of non-core business; change of primary banks (reduced bank fees by over 30%); vendor reduction process, and new travel expense management system 
• Taught New Manager Essentials program and selected as leadership trainer for PEPFAR program in South Africa to teach Leadership and Change Management to African Health Ministry officials

Finance and Administration Director

Avon Products Inc.

•	Implementation project leader for Avon Sales Leadership Framework (ASLF) – Highest priority project for the Company to adapt to a new Sales Model.  Completed project implementation in record timing.  Awarded regional award as part of ASLF Team. Only person in Asia recognized for both Top-line and Bottom-line contributions in the same year.
•	Defined and executed new vision and mission and led Sales Support department to complete over 40 initiatives (within a six-month period) as part of Team’s new journey towards field motivational excellence. Incorporated new processes to deliver high impact incentives, and to create Sales energy and momentum for sales turn-around.    
•	Achieved highest employee engagement scores with Sales Support Department significantly exceeding country results in over 95% of categories.  Previously had also led Finance department to highest employee engagement scores.
•	Global Project leader for a high potential, multi-functional, multi-national team to study and recommend actions to improve Global Sales Incentive management/spending process.
•	Oversaw execution of a variety of Company and Public/Media events ranging from Sales Conferences to Philanthropic events including Annual Awards to Women, and Pink Ribbon Campaign support.

Executive Director and Member of the Board

•	Responsible for Financial policy making/implementation and reporting for Avon Japan as a public company (including statutory/public, and Board Meetings). All year-end financial documents audited with no comments/exceptions.
•	Defined and executed new department Vision and Mission, and recruited, trained and developed a completely new Finance team (80% new hires within a six month period) to move from scorekeeping to business partnership. Finance team formed core of country high potential list.
•	Consistently over achieved profit performance commitment under adverse conditions of sales decline by aggressively managing strategic business needs with cost cutting; Delivered zero overhead growth during all years; Japan winner of regional awards for best cost management performance, and for boldest transformation strategy.
•	Provided leadership and support for critical decisions and strategy development as Japan Leadership Team Member.  Actively led change management process within company.
•	Consistently achieved best internal control results in Asia-Pacific/Avon over a period of eight audits.  Japan one of only two countries with highest audit rating. Outstanding performance generated support to remove Japan from list of High Coverage countries.
• Co-developed strategic/financial business case, and obtained approval for number of campaign reduction in 2006 making Avon Japan only country ever in Avon to undergo campaign reduction. 
• Independently analyzed and provided strategic direction for Plant study which challenged and reversed previous recommendation by outside consultants on plant closure.
• Provided leadership in several restructuring initiatives by providing an achievable plan to achieve 12% people related cost reduction.  Played lead role in this study representing Finance, Supply Chain and HR 
• Consistently achieved highest performance rating and nominations to several high potential programs
• Elected (and re-elected) to Board of Directors

Executive Director, CFO and Member of the Board of Directors

Delphi

• Prepared Asia-Pacific regional messages / presentations for Delphi Strategy Board, and for Delphi Board of Directors.
• Supported development and implementation of critical Asia-Pacific strategies.  Performed competitive intelligence and other special studies to identify risks / competitive threats and outlined regional / corporate response.
• Provided Miller Heiman strategic selling process training to Asia-Pacific personnel to improve value propositions and increase sales effectiveness.

Director Asia-Pacific Planning

• Management responsibilities for Finance, HR, General Affairs, and Six-Sigma.
• Active member of the Japan Strategy Board and Japan management team.  
• Six-Sigma Deployment Champion for Delphi Japan.

Delphi Japan – CFO & Administration Director

Country Responsibilities:
• Managed all finance functions including accounting, budgeting / forecasting and treasury.
• Lead development of cross-functional and cross-divisional Internal Control Review Board.
• Lead and supported strategic initiatives including venture development support, site enhancement, competitive analysis, transfer pricing, and cost reduction studies.
• Represented Japan in Asia-Pacific Financial Task Team.

Regional Responsibilities:
• Coached country CFO and staff to implement common financial reporting processes.
• Supervised and provided training for engineering / commercial / plant / site analysts.  Coordinated regional financial training programs for the sector in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Coordinated the regional budget, business plan, and capital management process.
• Supported development of common financial practices among ventures including:  Loan monitoring, F/X and cash management, compliance with accounting principles, report submission, etc. Provided regional oversight of venture risk exposure.

Asia-Pacific Senior Finance Mgr.

Executive Coach | MBA Professor | Ex-Global CFO

I help senior leaders master complexity, elevate strategic impact, and lead with authentic authority.

I bring over 25 years of C-level and boardroom experience as a former Global CFO for a $5B publicly traded company, combined with a deep commitment to human-centered leadership development.

Today, I coach global executives, CEOs, and leadership teams — specializing in executive transitions, strategic leadership, high-performance teams, and Asian leadership development.

I am also an MBA Professor of Leadership and Strategic Management, blending research-driven frameworks with boardroom-tested insights to develop transformational leaders.

Based in Kyoto, fluent in English, Urdu, and Japanese.

Connect with me: arif@thecfocoach.jp

Website: www.thecfocoach.jp (please sign up on my mailing list to receive future announcements and newsletters)

Arif Iqball

Top 1% LinkedIn Creator Worldwide | Helping You to Escape Corporate & Develop AI Skills | CEO- BrightWork AI | exBig4 | National Champion in Aerobic Gymnastics

Hi, I’m Anna Bilan, Founder of Brightwork AI. We help small—to mid-sized companies integrate AI into their operations for maximum efficiency and growth. I bring years of consulting expertise, empowering professional firms, insurance companies, financial institutions, and healthcare organizations to harness the power of AI for measurable results.

---

Services Offered:

1. Executive AI Strategy Sessions:  
   Tailored consultations to help leaders identify high-impact AI opportunities and create actionable roadmaps for success.

2. Custom AI Software Implementation:  
   End-to-end development of AI solutions, designed to address your unique business challenges and streamline operations.

3. Adopting Internal AI Tools:  
   Seamlessly integrate advanced tools like Microsoft Copilot, Gemini 2.0, and other cutting-edge platforms into your workflows.

4. Employee AI Training:  
   You can give your team the skills to effectively adopt AI technologies, fostering innovation and efficiency across your organization.

---

Why Work with Brightwork AI?  
☑️ Expertise in simplifying complex AI concepts for practical use in professional firms, insurance, financial services, and healthcare.  
☑️ Proven success in delivering AI solutions that enhance decision-making, reduce operational costs, and drive growth.  
☑️ A client-focused approach to ensure measurable ROI and long-term value.

---

📩 Let’s Work Together:  
✉️ Email: anna@brightworkai.com  
🔗 LinkedIn DM: 

Message me “AI Growth” to discuss how we can future-proof your business with transformative AI solutions.

Anna Bilan ⚡️

You're paying $997 for AI courses while Google gives you better tools for free.

The biggest AI scam. It's the courses teaching you to use it.

Here's what happened:

Last week, I watched someone spend their rent money on an "AI masterclass."
Lost a job. I can't get a job if I amn't AI-savvy. 
The course taught ChatGPT basics and called it revolutionary.

Meanwhile, Google's offering 11 tools that would've saved them $997 and actually delivered results.

Thanks to Andrew Bolis for an excellent image and post idea. 

I spent 732 days testing every AI tool that exists.
Most are garbage, built on GPT. But Google's free stack? Different story.

Here's what the $997 courses won't tell you about Google's arsenal:

1. FIREBASE STUDIO
Not just another website builder.
Build and launch actual apps. No code. No BS.
While others are stuck in WordPress hell.

2. VEO (Video Generation)
Create video clips from text prompts.
Your competitors are hiring video editors.
You're typing sentences.

3. GEMINI ASK ON YOUTUBE
Chat with any video to extract insights.
Skip the 47-minute ramble. Get the 3 points that matter.
Time saved = money earned.

4. GEMS IN GEMINI
Build custom AI assistants using your actual data.
Not generic ChatGPT responses. YOUR knowledge. YOUR voice.

5. NANO BANANA
Already wrote about this killing stock photography.
Edit AI images until they don't look like AI garbage.
188 failures taught me: This is the real deal.

6. GEMINI IN GOOGLE SHEETS
Generate formulas, text, and insights inside spreadsheets.
Stop pretending you know VLOOKUP.
Let AI handle the Excel wizardry.

7. GOOGLE APP BUILDER
Build apps with prompts or templates.
No coding bootcamp needed.
Just ideas and execution.

8. IMAGEN/NANO BANANA (Media Generation)
Create visuals from simple prompts.
But here's the secret: Technical prompts beat creative ones.
Production notes > "Make it pretty"

9. GEMINI LIVE
Host AI chats with screen sharing.
Perfect for client presentations when you need backup.
Your co-presenter never gets nervous.

10. GOOGLE AI STUDIO
Test models, adjust settings, compare results.
This is where you graduate from prompt tourist to prompt engineer.

11. NOTEBOOKLM
Turn any source into summaries, audio overviews, quizzes.
Your research assistant that actually reads everything.

The equation that actually matters:
Course certificate + No practice = Unemployed with debt
Free tools + Daily usage = Skills that pay bills

While everyone's collecting completion badges,
You're shipping actual work.

That gap? That's where careers get built.

Stop buying hope. Start building skills.

💭 Which expensive course are you considering that Google already solved for free?

🔄 Repost this to help others learn AI
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You use AI every day.
But you sound lost when talking about it. 

Here's your cheat sheet. 85 terms. Plain English. No BS.

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗢𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦
AI — Systems that think like humans
Machine Learning — Learning patterns from data
Deep Learning — ML with layered neural networks
Neural Network — Nodes processing information together

𝗛𝗢𝗪 𝗔𝗜 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗦
Supervised Learning — Training with labelled answers
Unsupervised — Finding patterns without labels
Reinforcement Learning — Learning through rewards
Self-Supervised — Model creates its own labels
Transfer Learning — Reusing knowledge across tasks
Fine-Tuning — Adapting pre-trained models

𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗘𝗟 𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛𝗜𝗧𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘
Transformer — Architecture powering modern LLMs
LLM — Large model trained on massive text
Foundation Model — Adaptable to many tasks
Parameters — Learnable weights
Training Data — Dataset teaching the model

𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗩𝗘 𝗔𝗜
Generative AI — Creates new content
Prompt — Your instruction to the model
Token — Basic processing unit
Context Window — Model's memory limit
Inference — Generating predictions

𝗔𝗜 𝗔𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 & 𝗦𝗬𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗦
AI Agent — Perceives, reasons, acts toward goals
Agentic AI — Multi-step planning, independent execution
Tool Use — Calling external APIs/services
Chain-of-Thought — Step-by-step reasoning
RAG — Retrieves knowledge before generating
MCP — Standard connecting AI to external tools

𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚
NLP — Understanding human language
Embedding — Vector capturing meaning
Tokenization — Splitting text into units
Attention — Focusing on relevant input

𝗩𝗜𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 & 𝗠𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗟
Computer Vision — Interpreting images/video
Multimodal AI — Handles text, image, audio together
OCR — Extracts text from pictures

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗚𝗢 𝗪𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚
Hallucination — Confident but false output
Overfitting — Memorizes, can't generalize
Underfitting — Too simple to learn patterns
Bias — Unfair outcomes from flawed data
Alignment — AI matching human values

𝗠𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘
Benchmark — Standardized model comparison
Accuracy — Correct predictions overall
Precision — Positive predictions that were right
Recall — Actual positives identified

𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬 & 𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗖𝗦
Constitutional AI — Principles guiding behavior
Guardrails — Preventing harmful outputs
Data Privacy — Protecting personal info

𝗜𝗡𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘
API — Software interface to AI
Latency — Response delay
GPU/TPU — Hardware accelerating AI
Distillation — Smaller models mimicking larger
Edge AI — Running locally, not cloud

𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗘𝗥
AGI — Human-level AI (hypothetical)
ASI — Beyond human intelligence (theoretical)

🔄 Repost this to help others learn AI
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Alqamah Khan

I had 1,000 LinkedIn connections.
When I needed help, no one replied.

I had contacts. Not relationships.
That's when I changed everything.

Today I have 21K followers and a network that actually shows up.

The immigrant mathematics of LinkedIn networking:
Random connection requests + No follow-up = Wasted time
Strategic engagement + Consistency = Relationships that pay off

Here's How to Network on LinkedIn:
(The Right Way)

1️⃣ Lead with value first

Share insights before requesting anything.
"Here's what I learned about X" beats "Can I pick your brain?" every time.


2️⃣ Show up when you need nothing

Comment on their posts weekly. Share their content. Celebrate their wins.
People remember who was there before the favour.


3️⃣ Make intros without being asked

Connect people who should know each other.
Do this consistently, and you'll be first to hear about opportunities.


4️⃣ Be specific about help

Don't say "Let me know if I can help."
Say "I can intro you to X" or "I know someone hiring for Y."


5️⃣ End with next steps

"I'll send that article Friday" beats "Let's stay in touch."
Momentum dies without action.


6️⃣ Engage before you connect

Comment on 2-3 of their posts first. Add value. Ask a smart question.
Then send the request. They'll recognize your name.


7️⃣ Send a real message

Skip "I'd love to connect."
Try: "Hey [Name], loved your post about [topic]. Working on something similar. No pitch, just wanted to connect."


8️⃣ Build your real network daily

LinkedIn Search → 2nd connections + Industry + Job title.
Find 5 active people per day. Track who responds.
Not everyone in your connections is in your network.
I keep a list of 50 people I regularly engage with. That's my real network.


30 minutes a day. 5 new connections. Consistent engagement.

Networking isn't about collecting contacts.
It's about building relationships before you need them.

💭 What's your biggest struggle with LinkedIn networking?

♻️ Repost to help someone build real connections
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I have 21K followers on LinkedIn.
People with 370 followers spend more time here than I do.

Here's my exact 1-hour daily routine:


⏳ 20 min: Prepare your daily post.

↳ Topic: Grok to find Reddit struggles.
↳ Design: Canva to design, Nano Banana to edit.
↳ Text: Claude to write.

Grok prompt for topic research:

"Find active subreddits where [target audience] discusses real problems with [topic]. For each: Name, Member count, Activity level, 3-5 specific problems discussed. Focus on real conversations, not memes."

Once you have the topic:
→ Find a design (Pinterest)
→ Edit it (Nano Banana) or make one (Canva)
→ Write the caption (Claude)

Claude prompt for viral hooks:

"These are my most viral hooks on LinkedIn. Recreate them for this new topic: [your draft]
///Hook 1 [VIRAL HOOK]
///Hook 2 [VIRAL HOOK]
///Hook 3 [VIRAL HOOK]"


⏳ 30 min: Comment on your post & others'.

↳ Right before & after posting.
↳ Comment more than you post.

Warming up your account is the single best indicator of growth on LinkedIn.


⏳ 10 min: Answer DMs & send connection requests.

↳ Find 5 key connections per day.
↳ Filter by: 2nd connections + Location + Job title.


1 hour a day is enough.

Be consistent, not delusional.

💭 How much time do you spend on LinkedIn daily?

♻️ Repost to help someone simplify their Strategy
➕ Follow Anna Bilan ⚡️ for AI, entrepreneurship & personal brand

I spent 6 months marketing my first startup- Arlos.
No one remembered my name.

As you can guess, it died fast 😂 

I was focused on Marketing - SEO & email marketing. 
Instead of building a brand.

Got clicks. Got views. But nothing lasted.

Because I confused attention with trust.

The immigrant mathematics of brand building:
Loud marketing + No brand = Forgettable
Quiet consistency + Real trust = Unforgettable

Here's what I learned the hard way:

Marketing gets you noticed.

→ Grabs attention
→ Drives clicks
→ Might convert once

Branding makes it last.

→ Earns trust
→ Turns buyers into believers
→ Makes your name mean something

Anyone can run an ad.
Anyone can post content.

But the brands people actually remember?

They have:
→ A message people genuinely care about
→ Content that builds connection, not just conversions
→ The same experience everywhere you find them

If all you do is chase visibility,
Don't be shocked when people forget you the moment they scroll past.

I ask myself this question constantly:

Would I follow my brand if I weren't me?

If the answer is no, that's not a marketing problem.
That's a brand problem.

Awareness without trust is just expensive noise.

💭 What brand do you follow that actually earned your trust?

♻️ Repost this for someone still confusing Marketing with Branding
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Marketing vs Branding

You have 10K followers.
Zero clients.

I see this every single day.

The immigrant mathematics of LinkedIn:
Followers + No system = Vanity metrics
Followers + Lead gen strategy = Revenue

Growing an audience? That part is doable.
Post valuable content daily. Engage. Show up. You'll grow.

Converting that attention into money?
That's where everyone gets stuck.

Thanks to Chris Donnelly for this excellent cheat sheet.

Here's the exact system I use. (Full cheat sheet below 👇)

1. Don't Sell. SERVE.

S → Show up consistently
E → Educate your audience
R → Relate to their actual problems
V → Value relationships over transactions
E → Engage with authenticity

2. Social Selling & DMs

→ Ask thoughtful questions
→ React genuinely to posts daily
→ Leave detailed, relevant comments
→ Connect with personalized messages
→ Use LinkedIn filters or Sales Nav to find the right people

Before you DM anyone, research them:
- Can you solve a problem they have?
- Can you add to an opinion they've shared?
- Can you introduce them to someone valuable?

3. Optimize Your Profile & Offer

Your LinkedIn page:
↳ High-quality banner
↳ Custom link
↳ Focused featured section
↳ Job section with media

Your landing page:
↳ Headline: Make it clear who it's for
↳ Subheading: Reinforce the transformation
↳ Clear CTA: Simple and action-driven
↳ Social proof: Showcase results

4. Lead Magnets

Capture emails. Warm-up leads.
Cheat sheets. Checklists. Templates. Ebooks.
Give value before you ask for anything.

5. Segmentation & Personalization

Segmentation = Dividing your audience into meaningful groups
Personalization = Delivering communication based on those groups

Generic messages get ignored.
Targeted messages get responses.

6. Understand Your Funnel

TOFU (Top): Educate & attract
MOFU (Middle): Engage & nurture
BOFU (Bottom): Convert & close

Here's the math that matters:

In my experience, very few of your ideal clients will ever reach out first. Most are waiting for YOU to make a move.
From those you reach out to, you might convert 5-10%.
With a $5-10K offer? That's serious money.

LinkedIn selling isn't easy.
But it's the most accessible and scalable method I've found.

💭 What's your biggest struggle with lead gen right now?

♻️ Repost to help someone stuck in the follower trap
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21K followers. 1 hour a day.
No magic. No B.S. Just a system.

Here's what I'd do if I had to start over.

I wouldn't post more.
I wouldn't chase trends.
I wouldn't grind without a plan.

The immigrant mathematics of LinkedIn growth:
Random posting + Hustle = Burnout
Right system + Consistency = Compound results

Here's the exact cheat sheet I'd use:

Zone of Genius
↳ What you enjoy + What you're good at + What the world needs
↳ Most creators skip this. That's why they burn out.

Profile That Converts
↳ Photo, banner, headline, about
↳ Your profile works 24/7. Make it sell.

Headline Formula
↳ [Action verb] + [Ideal customer] + [What they want] + [How you help]
↳ Your headline shows in the feed and comments. Make it count.

Daily Habits
↳ Comment, post, reply, create
↳ Simple. Not easy.

Content Calendar
↳ Plan 2 weeks ahead in Notion
↳ Stop winging it.

Find Your Tribe
↳ Find creators in your niche. Support them daily.
↳ It comes back fast.

Funnel That Works
↳ 70% top of funnel, 20% middle, 10% bottom
↳ Most creators invert this. That's why nothing converts.

AI Content Creation
↳ Canva, ChatGPT, Stanley, Notion
↳ Work smarter, not harder.

No hacks.
No noise.
Just grow through connection.

Save this. Use it. Improve it.

💭 Which step do you keep skipping?

♻️ Repost to help someone simplify their LinkedIn strategy
➕ Follow Anna Bilan ⚡️ for AI, entrepreneurship & personal brand
Thanks, MJ Jaindl, for the beautiful graphic and post inspiration.

LinkedIn saved my business.
Literally.

In 2023, I got laid off.
My boss made me feel like garbage for years.
I always wanted to start a business, but I was too afraid to leave the paycheck.

When they pushed me out, I thought: "Finally. I know everything."

I didn't.

I lost $144,000.
Sold my furniture. Sold my clothes.
Slept on the floor until my best friend bought me a mattress.
Found a bunk bed on Kijiji.
Moved into a tiny room. 2x3 meters.

Ate instant noodles every day until my digestive system failed.
3 surgeries.
$1,200 left in my pocket.

The immigrant mathematics of rock bottom:
Corporate experience + No sales skills = Absolutely useless

I failed 3 startups:
→ Arlos (crypto payments)
→ Hello Flow (feminine hygiene)
→ GreenTechVillage (modular homes)

Same problem every time.
Couldn't generate leads.
Partnered with the wrong people.
Email marketing? Terrible response rates.

SEO specialists told me: "You can't compete with McKinsey, Deloitte, Accenture. Maybe clients in 3-6 months."

I didn't have 3-6 months.
I needed a client NOW or I'd be homeless.

So I took my last shot.
LinkedIn.

Started with outreach.
5-8 meetings a week.
First client signed.

Then I spent countless hours learning how LinkedIn content actually works.

9 months later?
Grew 9x.
Business doubles every month.

This New Year, I sat in my room thinking:
Maybe I should help others do the same?

Right now, I help large entrepreneurs build personal brands and scale sales through LinkedIn content.

But I keep thinking about small business owners who are where I was 2 years ago.
Struggling. Desperate. Not sure where the next client is coming from.

So I'm considering creating LinkedIn Mastery Lab.
A mentorship program where I teach everything I learned about LinkedIn content and lead generation.

But I want to hear from you first.

💭 Is this something you'd actually want? What's your biggest struggle with LinkedIn right now? Drop a comment. I'm reading every single one.

♻️ Repost if you know someone who needs a way out
➕ Follow Anna Bilan ⚡️ for AI, entrepreneurship & LinkedIn growth

Every entrepreneur buys AI tools. 

But no one's building AI skills. 

I spent two years in AI business and testing every AI platform. 
My accountant saw tech bills yesterday. 🫣 

Built a business from scratch using them. 
Here's what I learned: 

Thanks Andrew Bolis for the visual. 
 
The tool doesn't matter if you don't know how to use it.
Every entrepreneur buys AI tools.

But no one's building AI skills.

I spent two years testing every AI platform.
Built a business from scratch using them.

Here's what I learned:
The tool doesn't matter if you don't know how to use it.

Immigrant mathematics of AI skills:
Right skills + any tool = unfair advantage
Wrong skills + best tool = expensive hobby

6 AI skills that actually move the needle:

1. Prompt Engineering → The foundation. Master it first.
2. No-Code AI Automation & Workflows → Connect ChatGPT to Gmail, Notion, Slack. Connect Workflows with Zapier.
3. AI-Powered Decision Making → Turn data into business intelligence.
4. AI Content Creation → Blogs, videos, graphics at scale.
5. AI for Customer Engagement → 24/7 chatbot support.
6. AI Ethics, Privacy & Risk Awareness → Protect Customer Data. Spot Bias. Stay Compliant.

Here's what Big4 taught me:

You don't need all 6.
You need the right 3 for YOUR business.

Pick them. Practice them. Stack them.

💭 Which skill are you building first?

♻️ Repost to help a founder stop chasing tools and start building Skills instead
➕ Follow Anna Bilan ⚡️ for AI, entrepreneurship & personal brand

AI tools don't build businesses.
Founders do.

8 tools. $0 to $1M ARR.
Just what works.

After building an AI startup from scratch.
Here's the stack I'd use to hit $1M ARR:

Product & Engineering

1. Lovable
→ Best tool for product prototyping
→ Your breeding ground for an MVP

2. Replit
→ Build and deploy apps without DevOps headaches
→ From idea to live product in hours

3. Cursor
→ 10x your engineering team's speed
→ AI-powered coding that actually works


Sales & Outreach

4. Apollo
→ Find leads at scale with verified contact data
→ Automated sequences that don't feel automated

5. Clay
→ Enrich contacts with social media activity and intent data
→ Personalize outreach at scale without sounding like a bot

Operations & Automation

6. Zapier
→ Connect your CRM to everything
→ Automate retention and upsell campaigns

7. ChatGPT or Claude
→ Train custom assistants for your team
→ Your 24/7 brainstorming partner

8. Claude Code
→ Plug into operations to spot trends and analyze churn
→ Automated reporting and customer insights

The immigrant mathematics of building:
Great product + AI tools = $1M ARR
Bad fundamentals + AI tools = Expensive failure

You still need:
→ An incredible product
→ Razor-sharp focus on growth
→ Personalized marketing and sales
→ Funnels that convert and retain

AI just lets you do it faster. Smaller team. Greater scale. Less cost.

You don't need every AI tool.

The tool isn't the answer.
Good strategy is.

💭 Which tools are you using? Which are you missing?

♻️ Repost to help someone build smarter
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Nobody can steal your skills.
But you can lose them anyway.

I learned this the hard way.

I was fired from a job. 
3 failed startups. Burned out. Stopped exercising.
Stopped learning. Stopped caring.

The immigrant mathematics of self-destruction:
Neglect + Time = Everything you built disappears

Your knowledge.
Your character.
Your work ethic.
Your mindset.
Your passion.
Your skills.
Your health.

No one can take these from you.
But only you can let them rot.

Here's what happens when you stop showing up:

→ Skip learning → Ignorance fills the gap
→ Ignore your mindset → Negativity moves in
→ Neglect your health → Your body keeps score

I watched it happen to myself.
Thought I'd bounce back "when things calmed down."
Things never calm down.

But here's what happens when you invest daily:

Knowledge → Builds power
Character → Builds trust
Work ethic → Builds results
Mindset → Builds resilience
Passion → Builds purpose
Skills → Builds opportunity
Health → Builds longevity

The math is simple:
Daily investment + Consistency = Unstoppable compound growth
Neglect + Excuses = Starting over from zero

You don't need to protect these things from others.
You need to protect them from yourself.

That's how you win.

💭 Which one have you been neglecting lately?

♻️ Repost for someone who needs this reminder
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8 tasks I stopped doing manually.
AI does them faster. And better.

The immigrant mathematics of productivity:
Manual work + 10 hours = exhaustion
Right AI tool + 10 minutes = Better Result

I've tested these tools obsessively. Here's what works:

1. gamma.app (for ugly slides)
→ The PowerPoint killer
→ Not the best design, but done custom for each client. Done in 2 minutes.

2. canva.com (for no designer)
→ The most famous non-designer design tool
→ AI features are getting better every month.

3. blink.new (for no coding)
→ No-code app building for non-coders
→ Prompt it like ChatGPT, get working apps.

4. granola.ai (for meeting notes)
→ The best AI notetaker. Simple.
→ Doesn't connect to the call (finally).

5. opus.pro (for replacing expensive editors)
→ Upload a YouTube link, get clips
→ Create 20-50 TikToks from one video.

6. notebooklm.google.com (for learning)
→ Upload courses. Get podcasts & quizzes.
→ Can take 50 sources. Train on your own material.

7. wispr.ai (for yapping out ideas)
→ Write with your voice. Crazy fast.
→ Keeps learning from your edits.

8. grok.com (for fast & correct news)
→ The best way to search Twitter
→ That alone makes it worth it.

You're not slow.
You're just doing stuff AI should be doing.

Pick one. Try it today.

💭 What's the one task you're still doing manually that drives you crazy?

♻️ Repost to help someone in your network work smarter
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You're Googling "Best AI courses."
Google already made them. For free.

9 free AI courses from Google. 
No Sign-up fees or prior Skills Required.
No B.S. Just Links 🔗 for you to Level-Up.

Here's your Direct Access :


1. NotebookLM for Project Organization
→ Centralize notes. Upload sources. Let AI find what matters.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/gpcwevsZ

2. Gemini Gems for Marketing
→ Build custom AI assistants for campaigns.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/gaDPqttj

3. NotebookLM for Customer Insights
→ Analyze hundreds of transcripts from one upload.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/gRtHT474

4. Generate Content with Gemini
→ Beat writer's block inside Google Docs.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/g_aZgTUn

5. Personalized Prompting with Google Workspace
→ Integrate your Drive files into custom prompts.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/g3HXZZD8

6. Prompting Like a Pro
→ Master the Persona + Task + Context + Format framework.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/gfzM6b67

7. Write Faster Emails with Gemini
→ Gmail's "Help me write" for professional responses.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/gt_bFKet

8. Market Research with NotebookLM
→ Synthesize feedback. Analyze competitors. Generate ideas.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/gvah96km

9. Introduction to Generative AI
→ Learn what GenAI is and how it actually works.
→ Course: https://lnkd.in/gzqt7ehQ

Most paid courses teach what Google gives away for free.

The difference between people who get ahead and those who don't?
They stop collecting certificates. They start building skills.

Pick one. Finish it this week.

💭 Which course are you starting first?

♻️ Repost to help someone save $997
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AI can write your bio in 7 seconds.
But it can't earn people's trust.

Personal branding in 2026 isn't about perfection.
It's about being impossible to ignore.

The immigrant mathematics of personal branding:
AI-polished perfection + Zero personality = Forgettable
Real stories + Consistent presence = Unforgettable

9 rules for 2026:

1. Real beats perfect
AI can fake flawlessness. It can't fake being human. Your imperfect story wins.

2. Use AI to find your voice
Let it analyze your best content. Use that clarity to be more you.

3. Teach AI who you are
Train it on your values, style, and best work. Make it sound like you.

4. Show your flaws
Share missteps and lessons. Vulnerability builds trust faster than credentials.

5. Lead with purpose
Connect your why to what you do. Purpose-led content hits different.

6. Be selectively famous
Stop chasing 100K followers. Build deep relationships with 100 who matter.

7. Say what only you can say
Echoing the crowd gets you lost. Double down on what makes you different.

8. Amplify, don't automate
AI drafts in 7 seconds. Your job is to rewrite it in your voice.

9. Get found by AI (GEO)
People ask ChatGPT now, not Google. Publish content AI can recommend.

AI made content easy.
That's exactly why being human got harder to fake.
And more valuable than ever.

💭 What's the first thing you're fixing about your brand?

♻️ Repost to help someone build their brand
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People remember how you make them feel.

That is your reputation.

Reputation isn't what you say about yourself.
It's what others say when you leave the room.

The immigrant mathematics of reputation:
Years of consistency + One bad moment = Starting over
Daily respect + Small actions = Compounding trust

Because status doesn't give you the right to treat people poorly.
Respect is universal. Everyone deserves it.

Here are 17 habits that build a reputation worth protecting:

→ Pause before reacting
→ Honour your word
→ Stand by your values
→ Maintain consistency
→ Deliver excellence
→ Practise direct communication
→ Choose integrity
→ Respect time
→ Take responsibility
→ Celebrate others
→ Put team first
→ Give thoughtful feedback
→ Practise equal respect
→ Protect your team
→ Master active listening
→ Use strategic silence
→ Show gratitude

None of these are complicated.
All of them are daily choices.

Your reputation takes years to build.
Minutes to destroy.

Titles fade. Networks shift.
But how did you make people feel?
That stays.

♻️ Share if you've seen reputation crumble in real time
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Most founders think money problems are math problems.
I've learned they're behavior problems.

I've bootstrapped every business I've built.
No investors. No safety net. Just me and my decisions.

The immigrant mathematics of wealth:
Right behaviors + Time = Freedom
Wrong behaviors + Time = Regret

"The Psychology of Money" changed how I think about both.

Thanks to Andrew Aziz for this great cheat sheet!

Here's what bootstrapping taught me:

1. Understand different perspectives
↳ Their "crazy" decision makes sense for their situation.

2. Accept luck and risk
↳ Build for what you can control. Accept what you can't.

3. Define and protect your enough
↳ The endless chase destroys more people than failure.

4. Let compounding work for you
↳ Steady progress beats dramatic sprints.

5. Buy time, not things
↳ Your hours are worth more than your ego.

6. Save before you invest
↳ Reserves let you take risks without betting everything.

7. Think in decades, not days
↳ Daily decisions compound into 10-year outcomes.

8. Hide your wealth
↳ Flashing money invites wrong attention.

9. Build a safety margin
↳ Breathing room creates better choices.

10. Play your own game
↳ Stop chasing someone else's scoreboard.

11. Avoid the trap of greed
↳ Don't sacrifice what's working for what looks shinier.

12. Focus on the few that matter
↳ Double down on what works. Let go of the rest.

The founders who win aren't the ones with the best math.
They're the ones with the best behaviours.

💭 Which principle do you struggle with most?

♻️ Repost to help a founder think differently about money
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I've posted for 9 months without missing a single day.
It is doubling my revenue every month.

Most people quit posting after 2 weeks.
I trained for the Russian National Team. Quitting isn't in my vocabulary.

The immigrant mathematics of LinkedIn success:
Random posting + No system = Burnout
Discipline + Proven strategy = Revenue

I've watched too many brilliant people:
- Post for a month, then disappear
- Build followers they can't monetize
- Convince themselves they don't have time

The problem isn't talent or expertise.
It's not having a system.

That's why I'm launching LinkedIn Lab Mastery.

By the way, thank you to everyone who left feedback on LinkedIn Lab Mastery.
Your comments and suggestions are shaping this program. Every piece of input matters.

So, 

This is for:
→ Freelancers tired of being the best-kept secret
→ Experts with knowledge but no audience
→ Speakers who want inbound, not cold outreach
→ Entrepreneurs building a personal brand alongside their business
→ Executives transitioning out of corporate
→ Anyone who got fired or left their job and needs to be visible NOW

Here's what I bring and how it helps YOU:

→ National Team discipline = I won't let you quit on yourself
→ 10+ brands launched across wildly different industries = I know what works in YOUR niche
→ 10 years with 20+ large companies = I understand corporate, executive, and founder mindsets
→ Immigrant humbleness = I will work side by side with you. Tediously. Relentlessly. Until it works.

I don't teach theory.
I build results with you.

Starts Feb 8.
6 spots only.
Sales open Jan 19.

💭 Free consultations open Jan 20-23. Comment "LINKEDIN" to get on the list.

♻️ Repost if you know someone who keeps saying, "I should post more."
➕ Follow Anna Bilan ⚡️ for AI, personal brand & entrepreneurship

"AI doesn't work for me."

I hear this from smart people every week.
Coaches. Consultants. Founders. Executives.

They're not wrong. Their results ARE bad.
But it's not because they're not technical enough.

The immigrant mathematics of AI:
Vague request + No structure = Useless output
Clear framework + Specific intent = Actual help

Most people treat AI as if it's Google.
Type a question. Hope for magic.

AI doesn't work that way.
You don't search for it. You instruct it.

Here are 11 frameworks, from simple to advanced:

— BEGINNER (3 steps — start here) —

1. R.T.F
→ Role: Who is AI acting as?
→ Task: What's the job?
→ Format: How should the output look?

2. T.A.G
→ Task: What needs doing?
→ Action: What steps are involved?
→ Goal: What's the end result?

3. A.P.E
→ Action: What's the task?
→ Purpose: Why do you need it?
→ Expectation: What should the result look like?

4. E.R.A
→ Expectation: What do you want back?
→ Role: Who should AI pretend to be?
→ Action: What should it do?

— INTERMEDIATE (4 steps — add context) —

5. R.A.C.E
→ Role: "Act as a..."
→ Action: The specific task
→ Context: Background info
→ Expectation: Desired output

6. C.A.R.E
→ Context: Set the stage
→ Action: The task
→ Result: What you want
→ Example: Show what good looks like

7. R.I.S.E
→ Request: What you need
→ Input: Info you're providing
→ Scenario: The situation
→ Expectation: The result

— ADVANCED (5-6 steps — full control) —

8. C.O.A.S.T
→ Context: Background
→ Objective: Your goal
→ Actions: Steps needed
→ Scenario: The situation
→ Task: The assignment

9. T.R.A.C.E
→ Task: Define it
→ Request: What you need
→ Action: What's required
→ Context: The details
→ Expectation: The outcome

10. R.O.S.E.S
→ Role: Who AI should be
→ Objective: The goal
→ Scenario: The situation
→ Expected Solution: The outcome
→ Steps: How to get there

11. C.R.E.A.T.E
→ Character: Who should AI be?
→ Request: What do you need?
→ Examples: Show what good looks like
→ Adjustments: Any constraints or preferences?
→ Type: What format? (email, list, script)
→ Extras: Tone, length, style details

You don't need to memorize all 11.

New to prompting? Start with R.T.F.
Ready for more control? Try R.A.C.E or C.A.R.E.
Complex projects? Go C.R.E.A.T.E.

The difference between "AI is overhyped" and "AI saves me 10 hours a week"?

Structure. That's it.

💭 Which level are you starting at?

♻️ Repost if you know someone frustrated with AI
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I spent 6 years at a Big4 firm, watching who got ahead.
It wasn't the smartest people. But they had 5 traits in common.

The immigrant mathematics of career success:
Talent + No execution = Wasted potential
Average skills + Relentless action = Unstoppable

Here are 5 traits I've seen in people who actually win:

1️⃣ Be The Person Who Delivers
→ Move things forward, even beyond your role
→ Follow through without reminders
→ Meet deadlines before they're urgent

2️⃣ Lead With Growth And Composure
→ Listen before reacting
→ Protect your focus
→ Learn faster than your environment shifts

3️⃣ Make Your Boss's Job Easier
→ Think one step ahead
→ Anticipate needs before they're asked

4️⃣ Speak Solutions, Not Excuses
→ Present options, not just problems
→ Take ownership of outcomes

5️⃣ Be Known For Growing Others
→ Mentor generously
→ Share credit. Your legacy lives in who you help

None of this is taught in MBA programs.
None of this shows up on performance reviews.

But all of it builds careers that last decades.

The best part?

You don't need permission.
You don't need a promotion.
You can start practicing any of these today.

💭 Which one are you already strong at? Which needs work?

♻️ Share with someone building their career
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74% of CEOs think they'll lose their jobs.
Not because of Competition. Because of AI.

2025: "We're experimenting with AI."
2026: "Show me how you use it or we're done here.

The immigrant mathematics of AI hiring:
AI fluency + Domain expertise = Unfireable
AI fluency alone = Replaceable in 6 months



Here's what's changing:

The 10 shifts you can't ignore

1. AI fluency
Before: Nice to have on your resume
Now: Baseline expectation. Job postings requiring AI are up 70%.

2. Hiring process
Before: "Tell me about yourself."
Now: "Show me how you use AI." Zapier grades candidates: Unacceptable to Transformative.

3. Entry-level jobs
Before: Learn on the job, grow into AI
Now: 16% decline in junior roles. 1/3 of HR is creating NEW AI-partnership positions instead.

4. Working with AI
Before: AI is a tool you use
Now: AI is a teammate you collaborate with. By 2028, 15% of decisions will be made by agents.

5. Skills-based hiring
Before: "We hire for skills, not degrees."
Now: 85% say it. Only 0.14% actually removed degree requirements.

6. Employee mindset
Before: Fear of missing out (FOMO)
Now: Fear of becoming obsolete (FOBO). Workers are more worried than hopeful.

7. AI strategy
Before: Adoption. "Let's try AI tools."
Now: Transformation. 97% of Zapier uses AI daily. It's how they work.

8. Job titles
Before: Marketing Manager, Sales Rep, Engineer
Now: AI Decision Designer. Digital Ethics Advisor. AI Automation Engineer.

9. Who gets hired
Before: Entry-level talent with potential
Now: 5+ years experience + AI skills. Judgment wins.

10. Your team
Before: All humans
Now: Humans + AI agents. By 2028, AI agents could outnumber salespeople 10:1.


The contract review that took Indeed 26 hours?
Now takes 2.

That's not efficiency. That's transformation.

Stop experimenting. Start transforming.

💭 Which shift worries you most? Which excites you?

♻️ Repost to help someone prepare for the AI Job Market
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