#187 How to ensure a company's long-term sustainability (04/01/2025)

The world is changing so fast, and I think the only thing you can never change in your work or in society is to be the one who drives change. I think that's the best position, and also the safest position. Trust me, look at history, when someone invents something, there will always be others who follow suit and copy it. I'll call that person "Company Number Two." Don't think that "Company Number Two" can last long, because after it's done, there will be other companies like Company Number Three and Company Number Four. And because "Company Number Two" doesn't know how to create its own company, it won't survive. Company Number Three and Company Number Four will surpass it! Surpass it! Surpass it in many ways! Surpass it! Then "Company Number Two" will be finished.

Over the past few years, I've been quite lost, unsure of how I could possibly succeed. In terms of money, I can't compete with the big companies in the bedding industry; in terms of scale and business experience, I'm inferior; and in terms of producing cheap products, I can't match anyone. I'm somewhat lost in this position. I'm just a "good guy" with some ideas who wants to turn them into reality. I believe there are thousands of people in Hong Kong at my level, and in China and the world, the number is countless. Many more are superior to me in various aspects. How can I succeed? How can I make something truly sustainable? If you continue to think like this, it's pointless. But this applies to any industry, with AI and various other technologies. There will always be someone in your industry who can perform better or at the same level as you. How can you expect to earn a living? Yes, you can say don't be so demanding. As long as you're not too bad, you can earn a salary as long as you're above the social average. But I don't think this position is very secure because you're not leading someone. If someone more capable comes in, or if the industry changes and there's a significant impact (think about how many industries smartphones have eliminated; film cameras and photo processing shops are now gone), you're finished. Therefore, it's very insecure. In the example above, if you're just an average person in the industry who's above average, you're in "Company Number Two," "Company Number Three," or "Company Number Four." Once someone comes along who's on par with you or better than you, you're finished.

This question leads me to the conclusion that the most crucial and ultimately sustainable way for a company to thrive is to lead the market and be an innovator. This is the only and safest approach. Constantly be the one that brings out new, incredible products. Because this is the only way to truly ensure long-term success. Of course, while doing all this, you must also excel in your core business. You can't be bad at running the company; you need to have what others have, but you must be better than them.