Swim with the sharks - or a tortoise?
One of my favorite books is called Swim With the Sharks Without Being Eaton Alive by Harvey McKay. I picked the book up in a store and remembered opening to one page where it said “second place in an interview is last place”. I loved it and bought the book.
It’s a book about how business is cut throat and how to survive in this world. Sharks are an agressive animal often on the attack and dominate the space they live in. The business world is often described as being full of competitive sharks. My experience is different.
What I found interesting in reading the book and subsequent books by Harvey McKay is that you don’t have to be loud, obnoxious and always on the attack like a shark to succeed in business and life. Some businesses try to be very aggressive like a shark and may have some success though over the long term struggle to keep that aggressive nature or spirit moving forward. I have worked in sales where it is all about making the sale, and we don’t care about the customer after the sale. I found this a hard environment to work in, It’s not my personality.
In 2020 when I started my own business I thought how am I going to grow the business that works for me. Am I going to run it like a shark or would another animal fit the business I want to build. Many years ago when visiting the San Diego Zoo I encountered tortoises. When we asked how old they were the reply was we are not sure, they are older than the Zoo which had been around for 100 years. The average life span of a shark is 20-30 years. Many tortoises can live up to 150 years. Sharks live a strong violent life compared to a tortoise. Tortoises have a shell and when life is attacking them they protect themselves with their shell. This reminds me of what Warrent Buffet looks for in investments. He looks for companies that have a “moat” around them. A moat, or maybe a shell, isn’t that the same thing?. Even in his 90’s Warren Buffet says he makes decisions for the long term.
When Cartref Properties started I decided I wanted it to be like a tortoise. What does that mean in business?. To grow methodically, building a shell around the business ensures it lasts a long time. Making decisions that are designed for the long term and not short term gain which may affect the long term health of the business. It takes time to build a business and they can collapse rather quickly when short term thinking is applied.
Long term thinking doesn’t mean buying all the new tools for the business, it means adjusting and adapting along the way to meet the needs of the growth occurring. Rapid growth has ruined many businesses before they reach their potential.
Cartref Properties is looking forward to serving your needs for rental property management in the lower mainland of BC for many years to come.
Need help managing your investment properties. Cartref Properties can assist you, call today to discuss your needs. You can find more information about us at: www.cartrefproperties.com
