On the road, Waleed Rashid, Enterprise Partnerships

In this episode Waleed Rashid delves into his unique journey from Afghanistan to leading partnerships at Acquia. He shares insights from his diverse background, including running a mining company and managing complex partnerships. Waleed emphasizes the importance of trust, transparency, and relationship-building in both personal and professional life. Throughout the conversation, he reflects on how his varied experiences have shaped his approach to success in business and beyond.

Exploring partnerships and entrepreneurial spirit: insights from Waleed Rashid

In the latest episode of on the road, Rick Currier sits down with Waleed Rashid, a dynamic figure in the world of partner marketing at Acquia. Throughout their engaging conversation, Waleed shares his experiences in partnerships, entrepreneurship, and even a mining venture in Afghanistan. His unique perspective offers invaluable insights for anyone navigating the world of business, partnerships, and personal growth.

From Afghanistan to Acquia: an entrepreneur’s journey

Waleed Rashid’s story begins with his roots in Afghanistan, where he was born in Kabul. He recounts growing up during the soviet invasion, which shaped his understanding of the world and his connection to his homeland. “We’ve got a pretty tight connection to the homeland, my family and I,” he shares. Although he hasn’t returned to Afghanistan in recent years, Waleed’s journey through life has been deeply influenced by his heritage.

One of Waleed’s most notable experiences was starting a mining company in Afghanistan, a country rich in resources. He leveraged his knowledge of the culture, language, and landscape to establish a consultancy and ownership of a mining claim. “Afghanistan is a very resource-rich country, and there’s a reason why nuanced politics have existed there for over a century,” he explains. Despite the challenges, Waleed’s entrepreneurial spirit has always driven him to seize opportunities and build something lasting.

Building strong partnerships at Acquia

Today, Waleed channels his entrepreneurial mindset into his role at Acquia, where he manages western enterprise partnerships. In his words, “my responsibility is to manage the enterprise partners, figuring out their strengths and weaknesses, and aligning them with our go-to-market strategy.” Waleed’s work involves identifying where companies complement Acquia’s digital experience platform (dxp) and Drupal, an open-source content management system.

His role requires both strategic thinking and deep relationship-building skills. “It’s about trust and building that connection between Acquia and our partners,” Waleed says. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right partners who can deploy Acquia’s solutions in ways that benefit all parties involved.

Creativity in a virtual world

The covid-19 pandemic presented a unique challenge for Waleed, as it did for many in the business world. Driving partnerships without in-person meetings required a creative approach. “we got really creative,” Waleed recalls, describing how they organized virtual steak prep courses and cheese tasting events to keep partners engaged during zoom calls. While these events were fun and engaging at first, he notes that virtual fatigue eventually set in. “People got burnt out. They were tired of being on zoom,” he adds.

Recognizing the limitations of virtual interactions, Waleed was quick to pivot back to in-person meetings as soon as partners were open to it. “As soon as I felt like people were willing to meet, I would go,” he shares. This balance between virtual and in-person engagement has proven key to maintaining strong partnerships.

The power of honesty and transparency

One of the most refreshing aspects of Waleed’s approach to business is his brutal honesty. Whether dealing with partners or colleagues, Waleed believes in being transparent. “I’m just brutally transparent,” he admits. This approach has allowed him to build trust with his partners and avoid unnecessary conflicts down the line.

Waleed also applies this principle of honesty in his personal life, particularly when reflecting on his past experiences. He talks openly about how his divorce led to deeper personal reflection, helping him draw parallels between personal and professional partnerships. “a successful marriage can and should be a really good partnership, built on trust, transparency, and holding up your end of the bargain,” he explains.

Lessons in perseverance

Waleed’s journey, from his entrepreneurial ventures in Afghanistan to his current role at Acquia, has been shaped by a strong sense of perseverance. He believes in staying positive, no matter how challenging the circumstances. “I’m a stubborn mule. I just refuse to give up,” he says with a smile. Whether dealing with setbacks in business or personal life, Waleed’s resilience shines through as a defining trait.

His advice to others? “Stay positive. When you’re going through hell, keep going,” he shares, quoting Winston Churchill. For Waleed, life’s challenges are opportunities to learn, grow, and build something better.

Final thoughts

Waleed Rashid’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and the power of partnerships. From navigating the complexities of the tech industry to managing mining operations in Afghanistan, Waleed has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to his goals. His insights into building strong relationships, both personal and professional, offer valuable lessons for anyone looking to thrive in business or life.

For more insights and engaging stories, be sure to check out the full episode of on the road with Waleed Rashid.

Waleed Rashid  is the Enterprise Partnership at Acquia

About Acquia:

Acquia empowers ambitious digital innovators to craft the most productive, frictionless digital experiences that make a difference to their customers, employees, and communities. We provide the world’s leading open digital experience platform (DXP), built on open source Drupal, as part of our commitment to shaping a digital future that is safe, accessible, and available to all. With Acquia DXP, you can unlock the potential of your customer data and content, accelerating time to market and increasing engagement, conversion, and revenue.Learn more at https://www.acquia.com/.