Motivational Message to Entrepreneurs

The global 11 auto-makers have now completed Q1 2015 reporting, so the provision of 'Coupled Ratios' analysis will be forthcoming to gauge relative theoretical investment positions and comparasions; excluding macro influences, recent micro influences and respective 'technical dynamics' of share price charts.

In the meantime, a message to maintain the motivational cause and core of the entrepreneur.

Philosophical Continuum -

Previously investment-auto-motives highlighted how today's very much valued entrepreneurial spirit was perhaps best conveyed by the philosophical perspectives of Nietzsche and the “ubermensche” spirit.

Similarly late Victorian minds were previously mentioned, but it was perhaps George Bernard Shaw who summed-up the progressive attitude best in 'Man and Superman'...

“the reasonable man adapts himself to the world; the unreasonable man persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends upon the unreasonable man”.

Simplistically then entrepreneurs then are wholly 'unreasonable' people (Q.E.D.), unwilling to settle into - what most know - to be a flawed and far from perfect world. Instead, the best of them combine a highly logical rationality with creative insights to identify or visualise an untapped 'white space'.

However, as many will affirm, such a personal journey of self-direction – as much a spiritual path as a cerebral one – is typically beset with sizeable and lengthy tribulations.

None more so than the 'contra mundum' battle against society's perceptions of the (constantly re-enforced) “given” norms.

“Given” being the prescient term, since to very necessarily maintain a civil society the public and so personal mindset must be subtly moulded, this evident in all cultures and done so from birth.

However, perhaps never in global history has the impact of social-psychology been so prevalent as today. Unlike the past where best-practice norms were handed down as part of smaller group identity, the 20^th century advent of mass-media, and 21^st century of media-submersion, provides for ever greater subtle control of the ever expanding global masses. Yet critically, this media-driven “social glue” for the modern chattering classes increasingly undermines the critical ability of many to critically think for themselves.

Unsurprising then that the very definition of entrepreneurship has been perceptually co-opted by the IT based creative industries; with other forms of new ventures – disruptive or not - seen as far less intriguing. Little surprise then that previously with such little interest by the public and investors in the physical goods and services that it has been the IT moguls who have deployed great swathes of income gained from the “monetised masses” back toward next generation innovative objects.

Ironically then, the true entrepreneur today – as opposed to wholly manufactured proxy entrepreneur - faces what may be deemed as an even greater combination of headwinds than at any time in the past.

Headwinds include: much increased social / tribal group-think (somewhat akin to 1960s Japanese corporatism), the power of the brand vs original innovation, and critically the ability of power players to either stifle or co-opt the individual using highly Machiavellian methods (eg professional disruption, personal intimidation, pressure exerted via friends and family, IT enabled illegal spying techniques, mobilization of a social-stasi, etc).

Thus, any entrepreneur today will in many instances need to have the will and conquering spirit of an olde-worlde American pioneer, the personal resilience of a POW and the soul of a Buddhist holy-man.

To this end, the most enlightened venturers will endeavour to serve greater society and in turn gain the fruits. But before gaining such influence and rewards, he or she may well identify with one of Rudyard Kipling's well known characters.

Excerpts from:

'Gunga Din'

You may talk o' gin and beer

When you're quartered safe out 'ere

…

But when it comes to slaughter

You will do your work on water,

An' you'll lick the bloomin' boots of 'im that's got it.

Now in Injia's sunny clime,

Where I used to spend my time

…

Of all them black-faced crew

The finest man I knew

Was our regimental bhisti, Gunga Din

'E would dot an' carry one

Till the longest day was done

An 'e didn't seem to know the use of fear.

If we charged or broke or cut,

You could bet your bloomi' nut,

'E'd be waiting fifty paces right flank rear.

An' for all is dirty 'ide

'E was white, clear white, inside

When 'e went to tend the wounded under fire!

It was “Din!, Din!, Din!”

With the bullets kickin' dust-spots on the green.

When the cartridges ran out,

You could hear the front files shout,

“Hi! Ammunition-mules an' Gunga Din!”

I sha'n't forgit the night
When I dropped be'ind the fight
With a bullet where my belt plate should 'a' been.
I was chokin' mad with thirst,
An' the man that spied me first
Was our good old grinnin', gruntin' Gunga Din.
'E lifted up my 'ead,
An' he plugged me where I bled,
An' 'e guv me 'arf-a-pint o' water-green:
It was crawlin' and it stunk,
But of all the drinks I've drunk,
I'm gratefullest to one from Gunga Din.
It was "Din! Din! Din!"

…

'E carried me away
To where a dooli lay,
An' a bullet come an' drilled the beggar clean.
'E put me safe inside,
An' just before 'e died:
"I 'ope you liked your drink," sez Gunga Din.

So I'll meet 'im later on
At the place where 'e is gone—
Where it's always double drill and no canteen;

'E'll be squattin' on the coals,
Givin' drink to poor damned souls,
An' I'll get a swig in hell from Gunga Din!
Yes, Din! Din! Din!

You Lazarushian-leather Gunga Din!

Though I've belted you and flayed you,
By the living Gawd that made you,
You're a better man than me, Gunga Din!

Modern Campaign Mascot and Banner -

For all the male and female Gunga Din's of this world, who carve their own path through 'thick and thin', there are perhaps two contemporary idioms that might serve well as useful 'back of mind' spiritual motivators.

1. The “Indestructable” Toyota Hilux (á la Top Gear)

2. The rebellious young ladies of (fictional) St Trinians