48.3 Assessing the Strength

 48.3 Assessing the Strength

Question:

What happens if one attempts to go beyond the limits of his resources?

Answer:

         Having climbed out to the end of a branch, if one tries to

climb further, it will be the end of his life.           (Couplet – 476)

நுனிக்கொம்பர் ஏறினார் அஃதிறந் தூக்கின்

உயிர்க்கிறுதி ஆகி விடும்.                                            (குறள் – 476)

 

Explanation:

              It is true that if someone continues to climb even after reaching the end of a branch, he will undoubtedly be hurt. It is true that in some cases, the individual might even die. So, the idea is one should not attempt to go beyond what his resources would allow.

              It is a fact that many startup companies end up in bankruptcies even after rapid expansions. A famous example of such failure is that of the computer company Compaq. In the 1980s and 1990s, the Personal Computer manufacturing company Compaq was very successful. It set records as a startup, usurped IBM as the standard-bearer in the PC market, and made sturdy, highly regarded desktop PCs and servers. The company made phenomenal profits. The Compaq management became very enthusiastic and acquired the Digital Equipment Corporation for $9.6 billion. The product lines of DEC and Compaq did not match, and Compaq continued to lose market share and revenue.  It was eventually bought out by Hewlett- Packard Corporation. Compaq is an example of a company that failed despite being very successful in the beginning. So, the moral of the story is one should carefully watch his resources before continuing to expand beyond what his resources would permit.