Easter Epiphanies: Nothing lasts, business advantages included

My hike up the Fansipan took about 5 hours, of which the last 2 hours were most excruciating. Every step forward demanded determination and every climb up a flight of stairs (which were plenty!) pushed the limits of my bodily strength.

Amidst these testing times, I was seldom greeted by descending flights of stairs which were to my advantage. But on my way back these erstwhile advantages, I had to now ascend and became a challenge. In the silent moments of my journey back to base, it dawned upon me how all advantages are only transient.

Epiphany #2: Businesses are built by acquiring competitive advantages. Changing business environment also changes the validity of these advantages, at times transforming them into limitations. A perfect example is an older asset intensive business competing in today’s asset light business environment, wherein the assets that were cherished as achievements in the past now seem like limitations to overcome. The key is to accept the changing business environment, be dispassionate about past achievements and then transform; As nothing lasts long, business advantages included.

This article is part of the 'Easter Epiphanies : 5 lessons revealed through a regrettable decision' series. To read the parent article click here