Building a great Business or Building a great Profit?
Posted by Reggie James | March 28th, 2010 | Filed under Business Strategy
“So convenient a thing is it to be a reasonable creature, since it enables one to find or make a reason for everything one had a mind to do.” Benjamin Franklin
A wonderful article in the Telegraph Business Section this morning asked a series of question that have become fairly pronounced in our changing economic landscape. Does a lust for materialism create the wealthiest people? Are those who seek pleasure the happiest in life? What makes the most profitable companies profitable?
These taxing questions, though a little difficult to tackle first thing on a Monday morning are examined in a new book by professor John Kay – Obliquity: Why our goals are best achieved indirectly. So, why are the most profitable companies not always the most profit-oriented and are the wealthiest people in our life also the most materialistic?
In most cases according to Professor Kay, no. He cites examples of people like Bill Gates, Sam Walton & Simon Marks, saying, “These people cared about the activity. The financial side of the activity was secondary. That’s not to say the financial side didn’t interest them at all, and they certainly made bucket loads of money, but in a basic sense that’s not what they were about.” What do you think?
As we strated with a quote, it seems only fair to end with one. “Obviously everyone wants to be successful, but I want to be looked back on as being very innovative, very trusted and ethical and ultimately making a big difference in the world.” Sergey Brin, Co founder, Google.
Tags: Obliquity, Professor Peter Kay
