The Nautilus - A Success Story

Often referred to as a living fossil the chambered nautilus is believed to have survived in the earth’s oceans from time before dinosaurs or mammals.  Some believe this number to be around 10,000 years others 500 million years. 

Either way you look at it, they are good at surviving and thriving!  While many of their co-species were dying out either out of climate change, too much competition for food, or being food for someone bigger, these amazing creatures had the ability to survive. 

HOW? And why is that even important, you ask. “Aren’t you guys accountants?  What has this got to do with my business?? “

Stay with me.  We are getting to the good part.  Back to the nautilus……

The main feature of the Nautilus is the large snail-like shell that is coiled upwards and lined with mother-of-pearl. The shell is subdivided into as many as 30 chambers. As the shell grows, its body moves forward into the new larger chamber and produces a wall to seal off the older chambers. The empty chambers are used to regulate buoyancy.

A cross-section of the shell of the Nautilus will show the cycles of its growth as a series of chambers arranged in a precise Golden Mean spiral.  (This is cool.  The Golden Mean is mathematical principle that is represented in the number 1.6180… - it’s one of those numbers that shows up in everything from DNA, to cauliflower to the Milky Way!  How cool is that!)

Now, as interesting as these facts are, is there a success formula? 

I love the idea of a guaranteed success formula.  You know the sort of thing...

"Just take this tablet three times a day and watch the surplus kilos drop off." 

"Send $99 and we will forward to you a home business opportunity is generating $2500 per month for Sally of New Lynn for only 2 hours’ work per week."

Most of us are old enough and wise enough to realise that if it sounds too good to be true it probably is.  We have also been around long enough to realise that there are some principles, that when  applied seem to increase the likelihood of success.

Like the nautilus our business needs to survive and thrive. The changing economic climate, competitors and threats to our business can be detrimental if we don’t have a clear understanding of how to navigate the changing waters commerce.

Of course success is an oft promoted concept that means different things to all of us.  But for the point of simplicity let’s assume that success means – a business that generates a surplus for you and your family.

Some things that I have observed over the years that seem to attract success

1. Why?  Having a clear understanding of WHY you are in business, and confidence that you can do it

2.Hard Work.  Having the right personality is crucial.  Some people just aren’t cut out for the challenges and stresses that being self-employed seems to attract, nor do they have the physical energy reserves to do what it takes.

3.Skill.  Technical skill in both doing the stuff that your business does and supervising or managing others to do it.

4.Focus.  Ability to sustain focus on the most important facets of the business

5.Patience. There comes a time when you have to float, regulate buoyancy, know the currents.

6.Creative Innovation.  The ability to put the bright ideas into practice

7.Client focused.  Building lasting relationships with clients

8.Develop team.  Investing generously in them – time, training, financial

9.Most important item is that we keep on building on each one of these areas.  Building depth, sincerity and resilience.

Sorry no quick fixes here.  

If you like what you’ve read and want to meet with us for FREE chat about your business  Click Here  to contact us, or Call Us today on 09 421 9020.