I think a lot of us have seen successes like Bill Gates, pg, Larry & Sergey, Zuckerberg etc. We know we're smart and capable and that big success is a genuine possibility.
But we can also benefit from understanding the difference between Profit, Growth, and Profile - In-and-Out has taken profitability at the expense of Growth and Profile (I've never heard of them); McDonalds has Profile and Growth, but not so much profit.
The three aren't mutually exclusive, and we can have it all. I don't want it all myself; I look at examples like patio11 and go - 'That's pretty cool'. Niche success over Zuckerberg success works for me.
Why does one have to be above the other at all? Zuckerberg made something really cool. I'm of the stance that we should excuse the guy for his failings since he still ended up with a neat product. It's hardly his fault that Facebook became so popular.
Also: I don't think PG is quite on the same level of Gates, Zuck, and the Google guys. All three made a product that became an enormous success on their own. PG made an online store that another company bought. I'm not trying to insult him; in fact, that's a better person to run a company like YCombinator in the first place. PG is proof that you can succeed several times in your life without becoming a superstar.
I don't think one has to be above the others, but it's useful to think of them as three different options. Having all three is possible, but probably harder, so if you don't have a big vision pick the one that works best for you.
Zuckerberg, from accounts I've read, had a big vision, was clear on it early, and made it happen. I don't want that, and to be honest I probably couldn't make it happen even if I did. That's OK.
Re: pg, you're probably right. In this forum it was worth throwing his name out there, but I wouldn't use him as an example in other places where that list would be appropriate. Multiple successes - he's a good example to use, as you point out.
Comments
I think a lot of us have seen successes like Bill Gates, pg, Larry & Sergey, Zuckerberg etc. We know we're smart and capable and that big success is a genuine possibility.
But we can also benefit from understanding the difference between Profit, Growth, and Profile - In-and-Out has taken profitability at the expense of Growth and Profile (I've never heard of them); McDonalds has Profile and Growth, but not so much profit.
The three aren't mutually exclusive, and we can have it all. I don't want it all myself; I look at examples like patio11 and go - 'That's pretty cool'. Niche success over Zuckerberg success works for me.
Why does one have to be above the other at all? Zuckerberg made something really cool. I'm of the stance that we should excuse the guy for his failings since he still ended up with a neat product. It's hardly his fault that Facebook became so popular.
Also: I don't think PG is quite on the same level of Gates, Zuck, and the Google guys. All three made a product that became an enormous success on their own. PG made an online store that another company bought. I'm not trying to insult him; in fact, that's a better person to run a company like YCombinator in the first place. PG is proof that you can succeed several times in your life without becoming a superstar.
I don't think one has to be above the others, but it's useful to think of them as three different options. Having all three is possible, but probably harder, so if you don't have a big vision pick the one that works best for you.
Zuckerberg, from accounts I've read, had a big vision, was clear on it early, and made it happen. I don't want that, and to be honest I probably couldn't make it happen even if I did. That's OK.
Re: pg, you're probably right. In this forum it was worth throwing his name out there, but I wouldn't use him as an example in other places where that list would be appropriate. Multiple successes - he's a good example to use, as you point out.
McDonalds earned 4.3 billion in net income last year. Their net profit margin is more than 18%