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Roberto Masud was raised under the warm blue skies of Miami, Florida.
He graduated high school in Miami, then began his career training at the University of Miami, where he majored in finance and accounting uninterrupted until he acquired his MBA. With his career goals focused on law, he decided to continue his education in Boston and earned his Juris Doctorate degree (JD) from Boston University School of Law and attended four years of study at the Program on Negotiation resident at Harvard Law School.
After earning his JD in Boston, Roberto Masud landed a position in the Miami offices of a top international law firm Kelley, Drye, and Warren, headquartered in New York. After several years with the firm, Roberto returned to Boston, making it his home, pursuing a new business, and continuing his education. He spent the next four years at the Program on Negotiation resident at Harvard Law School studying international negotiations. While at the Program on Negotiation, and over the next ten years, Roberto owned a law firm.
Currently, Roberto Masud is pursuing a new business venture. In 2022 he launched Masud International Limited, a strategic advisory firm based in London. The firm specializes in cross-border financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, company formations, corporate governance, and other related services. As a successful entrepreneur during his career, Roberto’s transition from attorney at law to Strategic Advisory is sure to be another great success.
What was the inspiration behind a business venture as a strategic advisory firm?
The inspiration for my newest business venture is a culmination of career expertise acquired through education in law, owning an import-export business, and establishing a law firm, has all enabled me to segway from corporate law work to consulting as a strategic advisory firm.
What is your role at Masud International Limited?
I launched Masud International Limited as a London-based company. The firm is a strategic advisory firm specializing in cross-border financial transactions, mergers and acquisitions, private equity, venture capital, company formations, corporate governance, and many other related services. The launch fulfilled a combination of factors which include, the market demand for those services and a desire to provide the specialized guidance to businesses and organizations with the expertise acquired during my years as an attorney and as an entrepreneur in the international import and export business.
What initiated the inspiration for your newest business venture?
When I was in college, I had a business called Transervices. Transervices dealt with the international markets, importing, and exporting products. We had a number of clients including the Lebanese army, where we provided soft goods like clothing, boots and packs and such. The business thrived for a number of years and provided a wealth of knowledge and expertise. That was the impetus for me to segway from the commercial litigation that I did as a lawyer at Kelley, Drye and Warren, and as an entrepreneur doing international business.
What is your approach to doing business?
My approach to business refers to the methods, practices, priorities, and strategies that I use to conduct my business activities. It encompasses a wide range of factors and organizational structure. This includes my management style, communication and decision-making processes, marketing and sales strategies, customer service practices and financial management approaches. My way of doing business is influenced by all of these factors. Doing business with clients is influenced by various factors such as my client’s industry, the size of the company, the culture, and target market of the company as well as the legal and regulatory environment, which I delegate to a practicing attorney.
What are the keys to being productive that you can share?
Some key tips for being productive are setting clear goals and setting specific measurable goals. This can help me to stay focused and motivated. Prioritizing tasks and identifying the most important tasks that need to be done and prioritizing them accordingly. Time management is critical to eliminating or minimizing distractions such as computer work, social media, email, unnecessary meetings, and all things of that nature. Taking short breaks can help me recharge and stay focused throughout the day. I manage my time effectively by using tools such as calendars, to do lists, and other apps that help me manage my time and stay on track. I also delegate tasks to others to free up my time and help me focus on what is important.
How do you measure success?
I measure success as I achieve my specific goals and the goals I have set for the organization. Meeting milestones, assuming I break down the larger goals into smaller milestones can make progress more attainable and easier to manage. Meeting financial targets and business success can be measured by financial targets such as revenue and profits. This provides personal satisfaction and a sense of fulfillment, in achieving goals and making progress.
What advice would you give to others aspiring to succeed in this aspect of the industry?
I would suggest to an aspiring strategic advisor or a lawyer to develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Both sides of the industry require professionals to analyze complex data, identify patterns, and develop business challenge solutions for clients. Building a strong professional network is also essential in this field to help develop relationships with clients, colleagues, and other Industry experts.
Developing excellent communication skills is an essential factor when communicating complex information in strategic advisory fields and law. Additionally, strong communication skills will assist in the development of a strong reputation for providing high quality advice and counsel. My last piece of advice would be to continually improve and invest in your professional development.
How do you maintain a solid work balance?
I am well aware that maintaining a work life balance is essential for both mental and physical wellbeing. I tend to establish clear boundaries between work and personal time prioritizing my self-care. Making time for activities that promote my self-care such as exercise, meditation, and spending time with the family. I practice time management to help manage my time effectively and avoid overloading my schedule. A tough one was learning to say no to tasks or requests which are outside my responsibilities or priorities and then taking vacations and breaks, making use of my vacation time to recharge and enjoy my leisure activities.
What is a piece of technology that helps you in your daily routine?
I could not function without my smartphone. My iPhone is essential with a wide range of features and apps that I use for making calls, sending messages, and checking my email, when I am away from the office. My iMac is also an essential technology for me. It allows me to work, communicate, and access information from anywhere. In addition, productivity software such as email clients, project management tools, calendar apps, and voice assistant on my Google Assistant allows me to ask questions whenever I’m drawing a blank on something.
What has been the hardest obstacle you overcame as an entrepreneur?
Law school and taking the bar exam was one of the hardest obstacles I had to overcome. Another difficult obstacle was the segway from the commercial litigation side which was my initial training and initial work as a lawyer, transitioning to the international corporate business.
Do you have a source of continuing education that you would recommend for people who are in the industry?
I invest my time in learning something new every day and staying updated on the latest information within the industry. My education and expertise have provided the knowledge required to segway from practicing law to strategic advisory. Both practices require very similar expertise.
How do you stay up to date with industry changes yourself?
When I worked as an attorney, I had continuing legal education requirements and had to do 30 hours of continuing education every three years of courses pre-approved by the bar. Although as a strategic advisor, it is no longer required, I remain on the leading edge of industry updates.
What is one piece of advice you have never forgotten?
I learned to prioritize my personal growth and learning. I make it a habit to learn something new every day. I believe expanding my knowledge, perspective, and learning is a lifelong journey and the more you invest in yourself, the more that you can achieve in all aspects of your life.
