Most companies that are great at something - like AOL dialup or Borders bookstores - do not become great at new things people want (streaming for us) because they are afraid to hurt their initial business.
Reed HastingsRead
Most entrepreneurial ideas will sound crazy, stupid and uneconomic, and then they’ll turn out to be right.
Interpretation
Entrepreneurial ideas often seem impractical at first, but many can lead to success.
This quote emphasizes that many groundbreaking entrepreneurial ideas are often initially dismissed as foolish or unrealistic. However, history has shown that such ideas can eventually prove to be effective and transformative, highlighting the importance of vision and persistence in entrepreneurship.
In practice
This quote could be used in a motivational speech at a business seminar.
Most companies that are great at something - like AOL dialup or Borders bookstores - do not become great at new things people want (streaming for us) because they are afraid to hurt their initial business.
Be brutally honest about the short term and optimistic and confident about the long term.
Do not tolerate brilliant jerks. The cost to teamwork is too high.
I learned the value of focus. I learned it is better to do one product well than two products in a mediocre way.
Truly brilliant marketing happens when you take something most people think of as a weakness and reposition it so people think of it as a strength.
The secret of success is to make your mind work for you - not against you. This means constantly being positive, constantly setting up challenges you can meet - either today, next week, or next month etc.
Anyone who has played the game professionally, you're always taught that the ball is the most important, most precious thing, so when the ball hits the ground, it's always a mad scramble. It's amazing how many times there is a fumble, and the person who recovers it initially doesn't walk away with the ball.
For so long, I looked at myself as literally a kid who was talented who would go up and down the pool. That's it. Nothing else. Very few people knew who I really was.
Africa's vibrancy and entrepreneurial spirit is un-matched. There's huge potential here to grow business, create jobs, and to improve living standards.
I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well.
The key factor that will determine your financial future is not the economy; the key factor is your philosophy.
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