Do you want to become successful? Do you know that you can be a part of the small fraction of people that actually start the journey and achieve success? Success is open to everyone, but not everyone is willing to exercise the level of perseverance and faith that it demands. Nevertheless, you can.
The journey of success is like climbing a tall mountain. One that experiences many different seasons (rain, snow, scorching sun) and numerous unexpected, unanticipated earthquakes, which aims to shake off the weak.
It requires you to push forward, through numerous obstacles, even when there seems to be no way forward. Everyone starts the journey, but not many see it through to the end, because they were not prepared to fight for it.
This is why you must prepare and arm yourself with the necessary tools for the journey. One of the major driving forces towards achieving your goals, is the ability to not give up. We disqualify ourselves from success immediately when we give up pursuit of it.
We must find strength within to push on, even when obstacles of various magnitudes rise up against us and stand in our way.
GIANTS TO FACE IN PURSUIT OF SUCCESS
There will be giants that try to block your path and defeat your success. Remember success demands a certain character from you. It demands that you swim, or otherwise you would sink.
These giants will come in your way to make you back down and give up on your goals. They come in all forms such as rejection, lack of support, lack of resources, financial troubles, sabotage, insecurities, and much more.
This is all a part of the journey, which eliminates the weak. Success demands strong character and the ability to endure.
David and Goliath – The Shepherd boy vs. the Giant
We all know the story of David and Goliath, found in Samuel Chapter 17. Goliath was a Philistine champion warrior, a giant with a height of nine (9) feet. David was a young shepherd boy, who was recently anointed by Samuel to become King. David was anointed as a successor, to the throne. He was anointed for success.
David was just a shepherd boy, with no military experience, training or Armor. But he stepped on the battlefield, which none of the trained and experienced mighty men of war wanted to do, and faced that giant head on.
He used what he had and his faith in God, to tear down a giant that stood in his and his people’s path for days, tormenting them. That is the attitude of someone destined for success. You don’t run, hide and cry when obstacles stand between you and your goals. You face that thing head on. You rise up against that giant. It may be bigger than you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t strike it down, as David did.
Like David, there are many whose display of determination, bravery and faith, despite all odds, can teach and motivate us on our journeys to success.
HERE’S HOW THREE (3) FAMOUS COMPANIES OVERCAME THEIR CHALLENGES TO SUCCESS:
- APPLE INC.
Yes, this well-known company with billions of users and a $2.5 trillion-dollar net worth today, literally almost failed and went bankrupt in its early years.
Challenges faced by Apple Inc.
When its founder Steve Jobs left the company in 1985, the company faced serious challenges.
- Market position
It struggled to find its placed in the market as Microsoft dominated at the time. This meant fierce competition challenges for this emerging company.
- Leadership and vision issues
There were leadership issues as Steve Jobs left, and internal conflict which led to a lack of clear direction for the company.
- Financial difficulties and sales decline
With products failing to gain traction in the market, had declining sales, layoffs and a decline in market share. Apple Inc. was on the verge of bankruptcy.
How Apple Inc. overcame its challenges
- Leadership
Steve Jobs returned to the company as its CEO and implemented various strategies and plans that helped propel the company to its success. This shows the importance of great leadership and vision in a company in order to achieve its goals.
- Focused product line
Given that some products were struggling to attract consumers, the company decided to concentrate on a few core products. This allowed them to focus their resources on refining and developing less products, with better design and user experience. It also helped to set an understanding in the marketplace of what Apple was all about.
- Retail Stores
Jobs also established retail stores, which allowed for customer experience control, direct communication and advertising to consumers as well as an easier flow of knowledge and information about the products.
- Partnerships
Another key move Steve Jobs was to use his competitors to his advantage. He formed strategic partnerships with other companies like Microsoft, who dominated the tech space, to boosts Apple’s market position.
- COLONEL SANDERS – FOUNDER OF KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN (KFC)
This successful fast-food chain, with over 25, 000 locations in over 145 countries, and a global brand value of $12.87 billion dollars, had some very rough trials and major denials.
Challenges faced by KFC fast-food restaurant
- Rejection
Colonel Sanders faced 1,009 rejections for his secret recipe, the 11 herbs and spices. He tried to convinced restaurant owners to try his recipe and methods, but they were all unwilling.
- Quality Consistency
As the company eventually became a franchise, the challenges did not seize. With numerous restaurants expanding in different countries, there were a lack of consistency in quality, due to franchisees not adhering to brand standards and lack of proper customer experience.
- Financial Struggles
With multiple rejections after traveling door to door to present his recipe, which meant no sales and rising marketing costs, he often faced personal bankruptcy and business setbacks.
- Competition and Impersonators
As its popularity grew, so did its competition and many impersonators trying to steal and copy its recipe and menu layout. The company had to engage in legal battles to protect its product and unique recipe.
- Changing consumer preferences
If its one thing we know, is that change is inevitable. Over time there were changes in the consumer demands due to trending diets, which affected KFC’s menu. They had to adjust it to keep up with consumer demands.
How KFC overcame its challenges
- Perseverance
After facing over 1,000 rejections, Sanders kept trying. He did not give up and throw in the towel, even having solid statistically reasons to. He believed in his recipes and his methods, but most importantly he believed and kept his eyes on his vision and goals.
- Quality Control and Inspections
To combat the issues faced with the inconsistency in taste and brand standards in the franchise model, KFC established a system. There were training programs to ensure operational standards were met, as well as consistent inspections of Franchises and quality control processes to ensure brand standards were being adhered to.
- Strategic Marketing Plans
The company invested in marketing and branding initiatives which allowed it to distinguish itself and create a strong brand identity. They did this by highlighting the unique flavours and creating catchy slogans and songs. It also keeps up with trends as a way to effectively advertise and keep the brand’s identity alive and trending.
- Expansion Internationally
With its franchises doing well locally, KFC started an aggressive global expansion to bring its unique flavours to homes across the world. It actually became one of the first fast-food chains in America to established its presence globally. Another strategic move they did was to tailor their menus to suit the cultures and tastes of the countries they expanded into, while still maintaining its unique flavours.
- MERCEDES-BENZ
This luxurious automotive company, with its long-standing history dating back to the 1920’s, makes over $150 billion dollars in revenue today. Famously known for combining luxury with optimal performance, it has over 70 vehicle models and is one of the top luxury brands today.
But, of course, with a history as old as almost 100 years, this did not come without its fair share of challenges across numerous areas, that impacted its success.
Challenges faced by Mercedes-Benz
- Market Position
With the rise of the automotive industry, there were many competitors fighting for market share. This meant fierce competition for Mercedes-Benz from its fellow automotive manufactures both locally and internationally.
- Economic and Political Instability
With its long-standing history, Mercedes-Benz has faced challenges which seriously impacted its growth and operations. These included recessions, wars, shifts in the geopolitical sphere which caused disruptions in market demands, manufacturing and supple chain. All which put a financial strain on the company.
- Keeping up with Technological Advancements
With the rise and continued advancements in technology there came challenges with research and development, implementation and integration with its vehicle lines.
- Changing market demands and preferences
With the evolution of consumer taste and demands in the automotive industry, Mercedes-Benz have faced challenges trying to adapt to market trends in relation to design, sustainability and electric mobility.
How did Mercedes- Benz overcome its challenges
- Continuous Innovation
The company made it its duty to persistently invest in research and development to remain at the forefront of technological advancements, especially in its industry.
- Strong Brand Reputation
It is no doubt that the company has taken pride in establishing a firm brand reputation that often speaks for itself. It is known for luxury, prestige and quality. It has a heritage which most known and respected.
- Customer Centric
Mercedes-Benz has ensured to hold customer satisfaction and loyalty at a high priority. Not only do they take time to understand and meet consumer demands, but they also provide comprehensive aftersales support and services. They ensure there is a vehicle to suit every type of customer.
- Global Market Presence
The company has established itself globally, increasing and strengthening its market position.
- Collaboration and Partnerships
They have strategically formed partnerships and collaborated with other industries to leverage its expertise. From artificial intelligence to digital services and mobile solutions, Mercedes-Benz has included some cutting-edge technologies which increased its capabilities.
CHALLENGES TO TRIUMPH
These well-known companies are living proof that success does not come without challenges. It is not an easy road, and we can understand here why although success is available to everyone, only those with a determined mind and will, can achieve it.
We must be willing to keep going, to press on even if we are rejected 1,000 times, even if we are struggling to find a footing in the market or if sales are declining or if we are not even making sales. We have to adopt an innovative and solution driven mindset.
Challenges are not a dead end; they are simply road bumps on our journeys to success. Road bumps which demand more out of us to get over them, they build our character and unlock the greatness within us. Take note of how these companies sat and analyzed the problems and came up with creative, innovative and strategic ways to solve them.
Do not treat the challenges you face as dead ends, do not use it as an excuse to give up on your goals and forfeit your success. How do you get over a road bump? You slow down, you analyze and you ease your way over it strategically.
Success is available to everyone, so be a part of the few that achieves it with great persistence and faith.