The Role of Tradition in Business

"Tradition is a guide, not a jailer."

W. Somerset Maugham
Early 20th century British novelist and playwright

And the lesson in this for business is, don't be bound by what has been unless you are fairly certain that is also what should be.

Often it is not.

The Need for Course Corrections

"Laws and institutions, like clocks, must occasionally be cleaned, wound up, and set to true time."

Henry Ward Beecher
19th century US politician

And just as true in business.

It is (too) easy to become complacent with "how things are done" not to mention what those "things" are.

How often do you reset your business "clock"?

Or are you perpetually in your comfort zone?

The Role of Dissent

"Always fall in with what you are asked to accept."

Robert Frost

No.

There's got to be more having to do with debate, discussion, etc.

I'm not saying you always resist but if you never pause to think, sometimes resulting in directional change, what contribution are you making?

The Role of Personality in Success or Failure

"A person's fate is their own temper."

Benjamin Disraeli

I think so, almost without regard for what that temper is.

Have you noticed any correlation between the nature of temper and success in business?

Tax on Business

"Every advantage has its tax."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This seems appropriate as we approach April 15, this year amid all the speculation regarding what the new health care bill will mean to business.

If you've run your own company for 10 years or longer, have you seen a noticeable change in the untaxed "advantages" you've previously enjoyed versus today?