Tweet

Lesson #4: Look Hard to See the Mighty Oak in the Acorn

Article Overview: Everybody knows somebody who did not succeed, somebody who got caught in a web of difficult circumstances and could not find their way out in order to fulfill their goals. Pemberton had a good idea and a good head start, but he had never managed to get it off the ground. What was it about Candler that made him different? Why was Candler able to build Coca-Cola into the international success it is today and Pemberton was not?

Lesson #4: Look Hard to See the Mighty Oak in the Acorn

Everybody knows somebody who did not succeed, somebody who got caught in a web of difficult circumstances and could not find their way out in order to fulfill their goals. Pemberton had a good idea and a good head start, but he had never managed to get it off the ground. What was it about Candler that made him different? Why was Candler able to build Coca-Cola into the international success it is today and Pemberton was not?

Pemberton might have spent the time it took to create the infamous secret Coca-Cola recipe, but he was no businessman. He was selling his concoction at the local Jacob’s Pharmacy for five cents per glass with roughly nine servings of the drink being sold each day. The first year, Pemberton’s sales totaled $50, but because his expenses ran up to $73.96, he was operating at a loss. It was only thanks to Candler, who was able to zero in on and reconfigure an A-idea that the world has been made aware of and enjoying the products from Coca-Cola for over a century.

Whether it was a new idea or new and challenging circumstances, Candler had the unique ability to turn his experiences around for his benefit. When he first learned of Pemberton’s Coca-Cola product, it was a failing headache remedy. Pemberton had not given up on it, but he was not doing what he needed to turn it around. He did not have a larger dream for his invention or any overarching vision. In other words, he could not see the mighty oak in the acorn.

Pemberton was marketing Coca-Cola as a headache remedy. When Candler took over, he reframed the tonic as a consumer beverage. He did not want people to think of Coca-Cola only when they were not feeling well. He wanted the beverage to be a part of their regular lives, during both the good times and bad.

Once Candler decided to reorient the focus of the beverage, he looked to the positive aspects. There was much that was not quite right with the product, but Candler tried to focus on what could be appreciated and salvaged. If Coca-Cola was not succeeding based on its pharmaceutical properties, on what basis could it succeed? Here, Candler looked to the drink’s great taste. It might not have cured his migraine, but Candler sure enjoyed drinking it nonetheless, and, he figured, so might others as well.

Finally, once Candler had a new grasp of the product, he began to dream big dreams. He envisioned the success that could come from providing a great tasting beverage to people across the world. He ignored the obstacles in his way and focused solely on the future that he knew he could unfold, and the concrete steps he needed to take to do so.

Through a combination of persistence, vision, passion, conviction, and creativity, Candler was able to succeed where Pemberton, and few others, had ever before.

Related Articles
  The Law of Rhythm And Your Home-Based Business
  All ya need is Attitude and Ownership to have selling success
  Successful People Live a Mighty Purpose
  Just Be Yourself
  Make Your Business Training Program a Mighty River

Article Tags: acorn, benefit, businessman, candler, circumstances, coca cola, concoction, experiences, five cents, good times, head start, headache remedy, international success, invention, jacobs, marketing, pemberton, pharmacy, tonic



Related Forum Posts
Re: Quote of the Day - "You are built not to shrink down to less - We just need to do what it takes to blossom. Hard work, perseverance and taken massive action
Re: Five Personality Traits of Successful Business Owners - 1. Focus 2. Ability to Adapt 3. Hard Work 4. Good planning 5. People Skills
Re: First Brag of 2011! - Hi David, Hard to believe that was your first effort, it was very well explained and clear. I have left a comment on your blog, keep up the great work, Mal.
Re: Vera Wang Profile - I too love this kind of success story Evan, I especially liked the article 'Nothing Replaces Hard Work', I can relate to a lot of things in there, take care Carol
Re: Help for Inventors - This site looks well done. Since this site is my competition I must give it a better look. He goes directly to monetization in the first paragraph. I would like to see some verifiable success stories. If the products are on the market it should be easy. Making money when we sleep is a great goal and it can be done. Hard work is required to go from idea to profit.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

Qualities of Leadership Part 1

Leading with Discernment

LISTENING SKILLS IN COACHING

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.