May 28, 2008 – 10:21 pm
Once there was a merchant of Milan named Adamo who ran a small business selling custom made writing implements to the scribes of other wealthy merchants. He enjoyed modest success, and derived enough income from his business to have a comfortable, if a bit frugal, life.
One day the wealthiest merchants in Rome, having heard of Adamo’s skill, came to him and said, “Adamo, I am seeking a man who can supply the needs of my scribes day in and day out. My associates mentioned that you are both skilled and reliable.”
Adamo thanked the merchant. “I do my best to serve, sir.”
“Just so,” said the merchant. “I want you to come and supply my scribes with your finest writing implements.”
“It would please me to fill your needs, sir. How many implements shall I make for your scribes?”
The merchant smiled. “My scribes are ever busy meeting my needs, and my needs are both many and frequent. I have so many scribes, in fact, that I am forced to keep them supplied with fresh ink and new pens every day. I fear you will be unable to keep up with the demand.”
Adamo realized that the merchant’s business alone would fill his needs quite nicely. “Sir, you are known throughout Italy as a man of excellent business. I would be willing to devote 80% of my business to supplying your scribes.”
But the merchant shook his head. “Alas, I fear that will not be enough. I must find someone who can be available 100% of the time.”
Adamo, reluctant to let such a profitable opportunity pass, said, “Then I will devote my entire business to crafting the finest tools for your scribes.”
And the contract was thus signed that very day. Adamo went to work for the merchant, who kept him busier than he’d ever been. The first year, Adamo made three times what he’d made the previous year. His family enjoyed the fruits of his labors, and his business thrived.
Occasionally others would come to him, seeking his assistance, but as Adamo was so busy meeting the merchant’s needs he was unable to give others the benefits of his attention. His friends admonished him, “Adamo, you must hire an assistant.” But Adamo feared that training an assistant would take too much of his time, and the merchant was so demanding that he knew it would be impossible to keep up with demand and train a helper at the same time.
So Adamo served the merchant well, and business was good.
For a time.
One day as Adamo entered his shop to work on the latest orders from his big client, a gentleman entered the shop. “Adamo, I have been sent to tell you that the merchant will no longer be needing your services. He is retiring, and the man who has purchased his business already has a man who keeps his scribes supplied. The merchant sends his regards and thanks.”
Adamo was stunned. “I gave him all my hard work and my complete loyalty, and now I am left with nothing.” He went out to seek new business, but all the others who had come to him in the past had found other fine craftsmen to supply their needs. They had no use for his services.
Adamo and his family went through very hard times indeed for many, many months. And though he did succeed in rebuilding his trade, his income never reached what he had come to expect in working for the merchant. Happiness eluded him for the rest of his life.
***
Yes, it’s a parable. We all know that “one” is the loneliest number for any business owner. Yet we have all made that same mistake in our own businesses at one time or another — minding the store is a lesson I learned the hard way, after walking through a hell of my own making. Perhaps the same is true for you.
Bear in mind that, when we are called to serve as business owners, we are called to create a sustainable ecosystem of prosperity. An ecosystem whose continuity hinges on the existence of a single species is a fragile ecosystem indeed!
That’s what minding the store is all about for those who conduct business in the unknown: We create ecosystems that serve the many — ourselves, clients, employees, family, community. It requires that we think above the level of delivery, and grow in a diverse and responsible way.
It’s irresponsible, when answering the call of business in the unknown, to rely on a single source for our income. That is the way of scarcity and fear. To build a business ecosystem is to live in the Creative Moment, to focus not on our little needs but on creating prosperity for all whom we serve.
May it be so for each of us.
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