Salesman to Microsoft MVP: Mohammed AlFan's Excel Journey

About this episode

In this episode, host Shan A Salam sits down with Mohammed AlFan, Microsoft MVP awardee and founder of Rows & Columns, to discuss his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a prominent data analytics trainer. AlFan recounts scoring poorly in tenth grade, working entry-level sales jobs in Kozhikode, and taking the bold decision to move to Bengaluru to master professional English. Starting in call centres supporting accounting software, he transitioned through major IT and outsourcing giants including TCS, IBM, and Accenture, where he developed a deep mastery of Microsoft Excel, automation, and reporting dashboards. After stints in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, AlFan returned to Kerala, turning his passion for teaching into offline classes and a rapidly growing YouTube channel. He shares how modern data tools like Power BI and Excel remain indispensable for businesses across all scales, why AI will assist rather than replace core spreadsheet skills, and how mastering basic functions creates substantial career growth.

Key takeaways

1. 1Improving English communication and soft skills in professional environments can create unexpected corporate opportunities.
2. 2Spreadsheet automation through tools like Power Query and macros saves organisations hundreds of man-hours.
3. 3Business intelligence platforms like Power BI help decision-makers rapidly diagnose underlying sales drops rather than merely viewing static figures.
4. 4Artificial intelligence tools will act as assistants rather than complete replacements for spreadsheet software like Excel.
5. 5Mastering core logical and lookup functions gives commerce professionals a distinct competitive advantage in the job market.

Chapters

1. 0:00Introduction
2. 16:46Worked at Tally
3. 19:41TCS
4. 26:25IBM
5. 29:33Accenture
6. 32:09Moved to the UAE
7. 34:15Moved to Saudi Arabia
8. 36:14Returned to Bengaluru
9. 37:59Alhind
10. 39:16Nucore
11. 41:26Teaching for Enjoyment
12. 42:26Started YouTube Channel
13. 47:52Interesting Project
14. 53:01Shan Shares His Experience of Saving Time and Money
15. 56:35Students of Rows & Columns & Conclusion