Let’s Reflect: What’s One Lesson You’d Share With a New Founder?

[chairman]

It’s not just business. It’s belief.

It’s not just execution. It’s existence.

Behind every great founder is a personal manifesto:

• Who am I serving?
• What do I stand for?
• What will I never compromise?

Starting a business? It’s hard and will test you in every possible way.

I believe the act of starting a business is the single greatest master lesson you will ever have in Philosophy and Life. It will bathe you deeply in the following concepts. Then it will make you grind each and every one of these against each other – every day. It’s the hardest and greatest thing you will ever do.

Idealism – The day your business idea is born, how it will change the world and millions will flock to your clear solution to one of life’s major problems.

Realism – The act of checking your bank account, LinkedIn likes and Instagram comments.

Pragmatism – The idea of agile responsiveness and continuous improvement. The act of responding to the latest information and responding appropriately.

Existentialism – Creating meaning out of what we do, the triple bottom line. Accountability and purpose alongside making profit.

Rationalism – Making decisions based on rational analysis. Using a cost benefit analysis, closing a branch and eliminating employment due to performance.

Empiricism – Data driven decision making. The data doesn’t lie…. really how often is data accurate consistent and complete?

Stoicism – Avoiding the over optimistic salesman’s curse of eternal optimism. Fully aware, present, and cognisant that you can only control your own mind and reactions and not the environment.

Hedonism – That year end party after a tough, incredibly good year. Perks, bonuses for executives. Luxury goods, travel, vehicles and all expense paid retreats for the executive team. A corporate reflection model.

Logical Positivism – Focus on only measurable results through objective analysis. Efficiency models, performance management and market research.

Skepticism – Being doubtful at all times, questioning assumptions, verifying claims, challenging existing norms and conducting due diligence. Try making this the norm and not get depressed.

Solipsism – Building brands, products and solutions from the business point of view. Failing to take customers, society or other stakeholders perspective into consideration.

Absurdism – The chaotic and seemingly impossible day to day life of a startup entrepreneur. The contradictory nature of profit over purpose.

Epistemology – The ability of a business to completely understand its entire operating environment and all the forces acting upon it.

Metaphysics – Does the opportunity really exist or is it created by the entrepreneur? Does the business exist or is just a legal construct ?

Ethics – No escaping this master course. How you handle employees and customers. What will you do to win? Responsibility, accountability and equality in your organisation.

Logic – Creates consistency, efficiency and accuracy. Really? If it treat my employees well – they will deliver and if I reduce my price – sales will increase…. is that so?

Politics – Regional stability, taxes, trade wars, tariffs and discounts. Good luck with managing these.

Aesthetics – Branding, image and how you present to the world and your clients.

Perennialism – Sustainability and robustness of your organisation? What effect do the supposed universal laws have on your organisation?

Essentialism – What is really necessary? Product lines, people, processes, projects and how much profit?

Progressivism – Healthcare, equality, gender, race, BBBEE. This is huge.

There is nothing else that can throw all of that at you on a daily basis.

Good luck and be sure to call myMBAboard when it all gets too much.