lcc liberal arts studies / 2010 volume iii - LCC International University

PRABHU GUPTARA / THE BUSINESS CONSEQUENCES OF GLOBALIZATION AND HOMOGENEITY
even then, it is better for you to find co-investors than to borrow money, because as
the Bible puts it, "He who borrows is slave to him who lends", and (d) buy cheap, sell
high. Again the last point sounds obvious but it requires a clear eye and nerves of
steel to buy cheap. Why? Because you wonder if the deal is good and whether it
may not be even cheaper tomorrow! Similarly, it requires a clear eye and nerves of
steel to sell high. Why? Because everyone thinks, in boom times, that it is going to
go even higher tomorrow! So target a reasonable profit and move on to a different
deal once you have made your margin, in the words of the Bible, "those who are too
oriented to making a quick buck will come to ruin, whereas those who farm their
lands faithfully will prosper; slow and steady profit is the route to growth that is
sustainable". By the way, this is true not only for individuals and families, it is as true
for companies as it is for countries.
I conclude that those who want to flourish in today's intensely competitive
world, whether individuals, small companies or big companies, need to focus their
attention and energy on the determining factors of money, marketing, logistics,
innovation and creativity.
About the Author
Prabhu Guptara is the William Carey University Distinguished Professor of Global Business,
Management and Public Policy (India) and a recognised authority on long-range global trends. Widely
known as a speaker and broadcaster, he is or has been Chairman, CEO or Board Member of several
companies and organisations. As Executive Director, Organisation Development, at one of the largest
banks in the world), he has the unique job of working with people throughout the world to identify new
ideas that may bring value to the bank. This includes running Think Tanks on a wide variety of market
and global issues, and managing the Distinguished Speaker Series. He was born and educated in India,
is a British citizen, and works worldwide, having been based in Switzerland for the last fourteen years. A
member of the Jury of numerous literary, business and management competitions in the UK and the
Commonwealth, and a guest contributor to all the principal newspapers and radio and TV channels in
the UK as well as numerous such media in other parts of the world, he continues to supervise PhD
research and lecture to MBA classes, and is included in Debrett's People of Today.
www.prabhu.guptara.net
www.prabhuguptara.blogspot.com
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