What Drives Speakeazy's Success? An Exclusive Look At Their Journey.

Timeline has been consistently seeking to spot people who had done something new and fresh, leapt over obstacles, and touched the zenith of success gradually. It wasn’t easy to find the best startup companies because many open right in front of us in every spur of the moment. There are a plethora of companies and you have seen what they offer, but the story of their successful entrepreneurship has much more to tell you.

Talking to Nizar Babu, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Speakeazy headquartered at HiLITE Business Park in Kerala’s Calicut, we found that we are living in a world where communication knows no bounds, yet the importance of mastering the English language cannot be overstated.

Since it is a global language, learning it eloquently has been an indispensable thing in most people’s daily lives. The ability to communicate effectively in English has become a vital skill that enables individuals to access better education and employment opportunities.

Construing this, many have generated formulas to provide quality language training for people who struggle to communicate in this universal language. However, it hadn’t been even a concern around a few years ago that speaking English hasn’t gained prevalence as a spoken language.

Starting in that era, when people were jinxed to understand its importance, Masdooq Nizami, a common man hailing from Feroke, Kozhikode, has slightly sparked with an intriguing yet interesting thought. Why not start an English academy that can also be taken as a business opportunity? It will do a lot more in educating the society!

That was when Speakeazy was born. In 2008, CEO Masdooq Nizami laid the foundation for his English Academy in Kozhikode naming it as ‘Speakeazy.’ In the beginning, with just two trainers, he garnered some students from his abode and attempted marketing it through mouth publicity.

Sometimes we get to know people who can be called the most courageous, and who possess exacting vision. COO Nizar Said: “Nizami confronted challenges from his family. They were afraid of him starting a business rather than doing 9 to 5 jobs. There will be a time when serendipity insists people follow their passion. Nizami took the way that ‘nobody has taken yet.”

Masdooq Nizami, CEO and Founder, Speakeazy

Teaching English effortlessly with 20 Codes was his secret mantra. This debut and fresh thought have been a reflection of his willpower and commitment that drove him to attract clients seeking to learn English through this unique code-based learning. Nizami marketed the curiosity in which people were too anxious about how some ‘CODES’ make them learn a global language in a very short period. This code stands unique and often funny that “Dusheelam” “Undappan” “Pranayam” (Malayalam words) and other codes are the main areas of the syllabus that seem trivial, but possess great meaning and grammar when it comes to language learning.

This innovative thought then spread everywhere and people started enrolling on their language training course CTLP (Codes and Tasks Learning) method. The man was well aware of the language and its power to grow over the ages. However, the approach towards English is indeed the same as how people tend to mock others who try to speak in English in front of them. It was no different for Nizami.

It wasn’t easy to execute a plan that could grab the attention of the compatriots. Since it’s not their mother tongue, convincing common people turned out no cakewalk for him. However, Nizami saw the possibility of bringing something new to the table.

Firstly, it was started step by step with a dozen codes and then customised to 20 codes. Beginning from a small room with 20 students in Feroke, Nizami gradually expanded his legacy to different parts of Kerala. He started his second branch in Koyilandi and then sprawled out to 8 districts in Kerala along with a corporate office in Hilite Business Park, Kozhikode, to admonish the overall activities.

While other people adhere to conventional grammar-based methods, Speakeasy prioritises simplicity and fun through code-based learning. Teaching someone entertainingly can make the idea stand out from the prevalent thoughts. That’s how successful entrepreneurs are born and that’s how they acquire business acumen in the long run.

“Today, Speakeazy trains 4 lakh+ students having 300+ trainers across these 8 institutions. Since they have a legacy of 17+ years, the team is currently working on a project in Dubai that is set to be unveiled at the end of this year, and our academy has also garnered accolades for the excellence in this niche,” Nizar said. Apart from that, there are 25000+ reviews as they claim as happy clients. They currently train to keep pace in job interviews, IELTS, English Language Learning, OET, Public Speaking, English Junior, Interview Training, Accent Training and many more. Additionally, If you are not satisfied with the class, you will get a 100% refund. They have also started a complete comprehensive practical course in Anchoring and Hosting.

Also, we have been curious to know about their teamwork to further understand their office culture and politics. Timeline talked with the company’s HR Ahsana, asking her about the employees and the benefits the company offers. She said that the CEO, COO and other official members give them a very relaxed yet systemic work pattern, and she foresees room for growth in the organisation. “They bestow us a relaxed yet professional working space and we work here as a family,” Ahsana said. Timeline tried to speak with the employees but they were all busy with their clients online.

Employees at Speakeazy corporate office, Hilite Business Park, Calicut

There is something called ’Marketing Strategy.’ In a state where 500+ English academies exist, and have been budding to flourish in the competitive field, the way Speakeazy market their ‘code-based learning’ is often commendable. People are very curious to know and always attempt such things just to construe what it offers. That’s the company’s pick and they do it through all booming platforms which has already gained momentum in a very short span.

Growth of English language learning platforms happens because of many reasons, the major one being the systemic problem of our education system, as Dr. Janaki Sreedharan, an English Professor University of Calicut, observed. She said: “The proliferation of English learning platforms is indeed demanding with new centres emerging daily. This trend showcases a significant deficiency in our education system where English language skills are inadequate. Despite English being a universal language, our current education system falls short of providing sufficient training. Consequently, even graduates and engineering degree holders are compelled to enrol in these courses often at substantial fees to overcome their limitations in communicating effectively and securing employment. This growing demand has fueled the rapid expansion of English learning platforms and these language learning platforms somehow manage to mould them to get a job at least.”

Nizar Babu, Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Speakeazy Education LLP

So, in this growing demand for learning the English language, Speakeazy has made a significant mark. The company has paved the way for those who struggle with the universal language, unveiling a new method to learn a language in such a way that nobody has taken yet. It is indeed commendable that Nizami‘s passion for this learning platform and his ability to achieve laudable turnover every year from nothing to something, and many more big things.

(This story is part of a Timelinedaily.com series – HiLITE Business Park 50)