The David and Goliath story resonates with many entrepreneurs as they take the battle to already established corporates. Biznews community member Mike Clarke, who’s the CEO of WoodyB Power, responded to the Alec’s article: Why now is the time to be an entrepreneur in South Africa. The article resonated with Mike on many levels as he wound back the clock and recalled countless meetings with Alec’s father – how he taught a ‘full of himself’ 22 year old about friendly courtesy. The main point Mike draws from the David analogy is how it is hard-wired into any entrepreneur, while dealing with failure is the most important quality needed to succeed. – Stuart Lowman
By Mike Clarke*
The David & Goliath analogy is hard wired into the DNA of those of us pursuing the lonely, rocky road of the entrepreneur. Thomas Paine’s 15 line ode to the Entrepreneur – which he penned nearly 250 years ago to stiffen the resolve of the early American settlers when many were wavering in their support of the 1775 Revolution – is the ultimate ‘David’ philosophy. Taken line by line the sentiments it describes are just as valid today as the day he wrote it.
That SA is a tough country to love goes without saying – dealing with failure in my view being the single most important quality we need to succeed – so our pain threshold rises as our expectation threshold lowers, as a survival mechanism.
Your article resonated with me at a number of levels – I remember meeting your father a couple of times back in the early 70’s – his premises in Newcastle were opposite my friends the Macquet twins who were supplying me wet lime for the Eskom substation I was building for the new Iscor works. As a technical person, your Dad’s workshop fascinated me with all the old style equipment and flapping belts, I’m sure he was perceived by some to be a bit of an eccentric but he always treated me – a full-of-himself 22 year old – with friendly courtesy.
Being in the renewable energy field now for the past few years has been testing – state denialism in the face of an escalating energy crisis has showcased the dysfunctionality of the ANC government like no other – but fortunately the market is taking control and moving in our favour. Last week City Power released a RFP document seeking to source power from the private sector, the scope of which clearly confirms their readiness to consider alternative renewable options such as biomass which is our speciality.
The 15 lines every entrepreneur should frame and hang above their desk.
*Mike Clarke is CEO of WoodyB Power and can be contacted at [email protected].
