| The greatest Greek philosopher, Aristotle, is widely | | | | generalized quote. |
| studied and discussed to this very day for his keen | | | | Unfortunately the "end" portion of completing the |
| observations on the human condition. For almost | | | | circle of the whole is too often never realized. People, |
| 2400-years Aristotle's numerous writings, philosophical | | | | most of us, tend to procrastinate. We rationalize |
| tracts and pithy comments on men and their relations | | | | inactivity. We can justify our tardiness in not |
| toward each other and their environment have been | | | | completing projects with a parcel of excuses. In my |
| dissected for the many layers of meaning that can | | | | marketing and consumer product development |
| be conjured from attempting to decipher his | | | | consulting business we see and hear an unending |
| reasoning and logic. He enchants us still. | | | | stream of these "enterprise killers" every single day. |
| I find that many of Aristotle's most used, famous | | | | A task is not worth undertaking unless there is |
| quotes are amazingly relevant in our current time. | | | | laser-like focus on seeing the task through to the |
| One of my favorite quotes from Aristotle that | | | | "end". We might not succeed in the marketplace with |
| enjoys particular resonance to the 21st century is the | | | | the finished work product the job pursues, but unless |
| following: "A whole is that which has a beginning, | | | | we finish the effort we will never learn what the |
| middle, and an end". Simple, no! Clearly understandable! | | | | outcome might really be. For many people there is a |
| And yet, not put into practice or followed to a | | | | visceral preference for not receiving a firm verdict on |
| successful conclusion nearly often enough. | | | | their work. Some are afraid to succeed. Many are |
| For entrepreneurs the process of starting a new | | | | just afraid. The excuse not to finalize a project and |
| enterprise can be daunting. There is an initial idea or | | | | put that work to the test of the marketplace is |
| concept. Research and due diligence are undertaken | | | | always vexing to me. |
| to verify the viability of the product or service. A | | | | Successful entrepreneurs find ways to overcome all |
| Business Plan is written. Assembly of raw materials, | | | | obstacles and finish and launch their projects. They |
| sources of supply and manufacture are defined. | | | | possess an innate courage. They always complete |
| Costs, sales models, marketing strategies and | | | | the whole, conjuring the beginning, working to |
| branding are created to support the product launch. | | | | assemble the middle and planning, sighting and |
| Finally the project is presented to decision makers, | | | | accomplishing the "end". These high achievers are |
| the target customer. Sales commence. This is a brief | | | | separated from the dreamers who never quite get all |
| outline of the beginning, middle and end of a product | | | | the way into the game by an inner-drive to finish |
| development cycle, much as described in Aristotle's | | | | every job they start. |