Lesson #2: Always Choose Action Over Inaction
Lesson #2: Always Choose Action Over Inaction
“There is no such thing as standing still,” said Watson. “You cannot stay in one place: you either go forward or go backward.” Watson’s determination to move forward in life was evident from even his earliest career days. Despite having quit after just one day as a teacher, Watson knew there were great things ahead for him. He didn’t like teaching, but instead of giving up and living a mediocre albeit secure life, Watson decided to try for something else.
Thus, Watson enrolled in a business course at the Miller School of Commerce and never looked back. “We must never feel satisfied,” said Watson. “Whenever an individual or a business decides that success has been attained, progress stops.” It was to this end that Watson devoted his company. From its earliest days, IBM had developed a reputation as being at the forefront of the computer age. Watson devoted a significant portion of the company’s revenues to research, ensuring its existence in the future.
In 1947, IBM released Poppy, or the Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator, which was the company’s first machine to use electronics. “Our aim is higher every year and we always reach our mark,” said Watson. “We must never think that what we have today will satisfy the demand ten years from now.” Poppy was just one example of Watson’s dedication to progress. He wanted his company to lead the way forward in the business world and he ensured this by actively applying himself and seizing whatever opportunities would come his way.
Watson never stopped looking for ways to improve his company and continue to set new industry standards. “Analyze the past, consider the present and visualize the future,” said Watson. “Plan for the future…Have faith in the future.” It was this characteristic of Watson’s – his eye to the future – that allowed the company to prosper to the degree that it did before being taken over by his son. When Watson Jr. came on board, the company had already established its solid reputation as an innovator and a leader in the industry.
Watson’s philosophy with respect to progress extended from the business world to that of the individual. “Resolve to stand for something big and fine outside of your business life,” he said. Watson believed in the importance of dedicating oneself to the promotion of a cause for the betterment of both oneself and society at large.
However, no matter what the situation, Watson was in favour of action over inaction; no good would come of doing nothing. In the face of a problem, Watson would say, “Solve it. Solve it quickly, solve it right or wrong. If you solve it wrong, it will come back and slap you in the face, and then you can solve it right.”
Lesson 2 Always Choose Action Over Inaction
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“Lying dead in the water and doing nothing is a comfortable alternative because it is without risk, but it is an absolutely fatal way to manage a business,” said Watson. By the time he had given up control, Watson had created one of the largest and most powerful companies in the entire country; and it wasn’t by sitting still and letting opportunities pass him by that he was able to do so.
“There is no such thing as standing still,” said Watson. “You cannot stay in one place: you either go forward or go backward.” Watson’s determination to move forward in life was evident from even his earliest career days. Despite having quit after just one day as a teacher, Watson knew there were great things ahead for him. He didn’t like teaching, but instead of giving up and living a mediocre albeit secure life, Watson decided to try for something else.
Thus, Watson enrolled in a business course at the Miller School of Commerce and never looked back. “We must never feel satisfied,” said Watson. “Whenever an individual or a business decides that success has been attained, progress stops.” It was to this end that Watson devoted his company. From its earliest days, IBM had developed a reputation as being at the forefront of the computer age. Watson devoted a significant portion of the company’s revenues to research, ensuring its existence in the future.
In 1947, IBM released Poppy, or the Selective Sequence Electronic Calculator, which was the company’s first machine to use electronics. “Our aim is higher every year and we always reach our mark,” said Watson. “We must never think that what we have today will satisfy the demand ten years from now.” Poppy was just one example of Watson’s dedication to progress. He wanted his company to lead the way forward in the business world and he ensured this by actively applying himself and seizing whatever opportunities would come his way.
Watson never stopped looking for ways to improve his company and continue to set new industry standards. “Analyze the past, consider the present and visualize the future,” said Watson. “Plan for the future…Have faith in the future.” It was this characteristic of Watson’s – his eye to the future – that allowed the company to prosper to the degree that it did before being taken over by his son. When Watson Jr. came on board, the company had already established its solid reputation as an innovator and a leader in the industry.
Watson’s philosophy with respect to progress extended from the business world to that of the individual. “Resolve to stand for something big and fine outside of your business life,” he said. Watson believed in the importance of dedicating oneself to the promotion of a cause for the betterment of both oneself and society at large.
However, no matter what the situation, Watson was in favour of action over inaction; no good would come of doing nothing. In the face of a problem, Watson would say, “Solve it. Solve it quickly, solve it right or wrong. If you solve it wrong, it will come back and slap you in the face, and then you can solve it right.”
Lesson 2 Always Choose Action Over Inaction
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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