50.1 Consideration of Location

 50.1 Consideration of Location

Question:

Is it essential to consider the location before starting a venture?

Answer:

The crocodile will win over other animals in deep water.

But on land, other animals will kill the crocodile.                    (Couplet – 495)

As ships cannot sail on land, the strong-wheeled chariot

cannot run on the sea.                                                          (Couplet – 496)

A fierce elephant  that has faced warriors with spears

can be killed by a fox if it is stuck in a marshy ground.           (Couplet – 500)

நெடும்புனலுள் வெல்லும் முதலை அடும்புனலின்

நீங்கின் அதனைப் பிற.                                                         (குறள் – 495)

கடலோடா கால்வல் நெடுந்தேர் கடலோடும்

நாவாயும் ஓடா நிலத்து.                                                         (குறள் – 496)

காலாழ் களரில் நரியடும் கண்ணஞ்சா

வேலாள் முகத்த களிறு.                                                         (குறள் – 500)

Explanation:

              In Couplet 675, Valluvar mentions that when one is planning a project, the five things he should consider are: resources, equipment, time, task, and location. When a king prepares for war, he would consider the ideal location to fight the enemy. He would choose a location that is favorable to him and disadvantageous to his opponent. When an industrialist wants to build a manufacturing plant, he would consider the location where the raw materials are available, where the labor is not too expansive, and perhaps where the local government may give some tax concessions. When a businessman plans to launch a new product in the market, he will select a suitable location for test marketing. Marketing professionals say that “product, price, promotion, and place” are the 4Ps of marketing that should be considered when a product is introduced in the market. When people want to build a house, they consider factors like the neighborhood, schools, property tax, shopping facilities, etc. So, Valluvar is correct when he emphasizes the importance of location for a venture.

              Valluvar mentions that a crocodile is more powerful in water than on the land, a ship can sail in the water, and a fox is more powerful than an elephant on marshy ground. On the other hand, a crocodile is weak on land, a chariot is incapable of sailing in water, and an elephant is vulnerable on marshy ground. So, there are locations that are favorable and suitable under certain conditions. Therefore, to be successful, one must find a suitable location for his venture.