What can we learn to improve our own chances of success?
The first thing to note is that all those mentioned identified their own strengths. In doing so, they realized they needed to find other people who could assist them in areas their weaker areas. Second, they thought through what deals they wanted to take and which to refuse, if it was not on their game plan.
Both Richard Branson and Henry Ford have negotiated some very good deals. They saw opportunities in markets and mobilised plans for creating wealth and value by giving their clients services and products they wanted.
Walt Disney was more of an artistic developer than an asset negotiator. He took his illustrations, converted them to animations, and created films. He had faith in his ideas and sold the message to others.
Elizabeth Arden watched closely what other people were doing in the cosmetics business. She decided that better products and service could be offered. With elegance and determined effort, she succeeded to grasp her opportunities.
Sir Winston Churchill, the great Prime Minister of Great Britain, said that; ‘A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity, an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.
Columbus saw the opportunity to set sail on voyages to new lands, but the ‘flat earthists’ told him that he would never return.
Marco Polo was offered the opportunity to travel with his father and brought back riches and tales of the orient.
In more modern times, William Boeing saw one of the first planes to fly and decided there was an opportunity to build a business. Now, we fly around the world in Boeing planes.
Henry Ford was born on a farm, but found the power of machines when he went to work in a factory. He perceived people wanted to travel and introduced the mass production of cars.
These are well known examples, but in every village, town and city there are people who have perceived an opportunity and developed it. Many of the best initiatives have been at the voluntary level, where local people have recognized a community need and responded, especially with voluntary and not for profit work. That is how most sports clubs developed in such places. In addition, people developed small business and shops to cater for local needs.