Introducing the AHWAM Magazine Launch (Weeks 5-6)

With our website optimization moving smoothly, it’s time to introduce the next piece of the puzzle: the AHWAM Magazine. This isn’t just about offering a new product but about taking a bold step toward providing deeper insights, stories, and exclusive content to our global audience. Through this first magazine issue, we aim to spark conversations around professional management, AI in the workplace, and the personal stories that shape our listeners’ careers.

Why a Magazine?

The AHWAM Magazine is a strategic extension of our brand. It allows us to go beyond surface-level discussions and offer valuable, carefully curated content that our community can engage in meaningfully. Our readers will gain access to:

• Expert Insights: Thought leadership on AI’s impact on the workplace, management best practices, and emerging global trends.
• Listener Stories: Testimonials and case studies from professionals who’ve shared how AHWAM has positively impacted their careers.
• The AHWAM Brand Story: A behind-the-scenes look at how we built one of Africa’s leading management podcast platforms.

But let me take you behind the scenes of how this magazine came to life, it wasn’t without its challenges.

The Odds

When the idea of launching a magazine first came up, I was faced with a series of NOs. Typically, launching a magazine requires 2-3 months of detailed planning, iterations, and fine-tuning before implementation. We, however, had less than a month to turn this vision into reality. It felt like an impossible task. But rather than succumbing to doubt, we embraced the challenge, knowing that the key to success wasn’t having a perfect plan, it was about moving forward and adapting.

Progress in the Making

Despite the tight timeline, by Week 5, we were already in motion. We had begun planning the magazine’s structure, identifying key contributors, and deciding on core themes. The team worked tirelessly to:

• Research Content: Identify the topics and expert insights that would form the heart of the issue.
• Select Articles & Organize Layout: Curate stories, interviews, and expert opinions, while refining the cover design and internal layout.
• Develop a Promotion Calendar: By Week 6, we had a marketing calendar ready to promote the magazine, alongside a comprehensive project plan organized in Notion.

We knew that perfection wasn’t achievable with such limited time, but progress was steady, and with each meeting, our confidence grew that we would meet the October deadline. It was a significant step forward in my leadership, as I had to lead this decision through uncertainty.

A Sync

This magazine launch would not have been possible without my team’s collaboration. To ensure smooth execution, I delegated key responsibilities to each team member, empowering them to own their part of the process. Each person took on their respective research and coordination tasks with precision.

In Weeks 4 and 5, I asked the team to reach out to our listeners for feedback on how our recent changes and optimizations had improved their interaction with the brand. The responses were eye-opening and deeply valuable. This effort helped us better understand what our audience values most and allowed us to sharpen our magazine’s focus to meet those needs.

Challenges & Lessons

There were moments of doubt, especially with such a tight deadline. However, we successfully fast-tracked the planning and implementation process by staying adaptable and focusing on the end goal. Even when everything wasn’t perfect, we kept moving forward.

The key lesson here is that sometimes promoting your brand isn’t about doing more of the same, it’s about introducing something new that pushes boundaries and aligns with your audience’s core needs.

As we move toward our October launch, we remain committed to making the AHWAM Magazine an invaluable resource for professionals around the globe. Whether you are looking for actionable advice, expert analysis, or insights from fellow listeners, this magazine will deliver. Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to our first issue release!

Key Insight:

"Sometimes the key to elevating your brand isn’t only in doing more of the same, but in introducing something new that pushes boundaries and aligns with your audience's needs."

Take a moment to reflect on your brand. What ideas have you been sitting on that could take it to the next level? Sometimes, innovation means stepping out of your comfort zone and trying something new.

Click to join our Magazine waitlist and our Community on Slack of over 10, 000+ professionals from beginner, mid, and advanced levels open to learning, collaboration, and networking.

Ubong Mathew is the Team Lead at AHWAM, where he has successfully hosted numerous guests and managed a global team. He has cultivated a strong network of experts dedicated to helping professionals navigate their career journeys and assisting organizations in implementing effective business strategies. Despite the current global challenges, he and his team have consistently driven e-commerce sales, achieving over $2,500 in monthly revenue.