Big things grow according to Paul Kelly, and in the world of business that has never been more important when talking about big companies blamed for the evils of the world. Is every big company aberrant? Is every big company looking to take over the world? Is every big company to blame for the economy, the lack of good television and the Australian Rugby Union team? Seems today it's difficult to pick up a newspaper, read a blog or listen to economic pundits and not feel big business is to blame for everything wrong in society today. From banks making too much money, to mining companies turning the outback into a scene from Mad Max, it's hard to see past the facade, past the share price and notice every business, no matter how big is only made up of people.
Every company from Apple to Walmart started out as a small company. Every CEO from Steve Jobs to The Walton family started out with just a few trusted friends. Apple as the most valuable company in the world, along with Walmart, the world's biggest private employer and the world's largest retailer didn't just just appear over night. They started small, they started as an idea, they started not knowing if they were going to accomplish what they set out to do or even survive the first year. They all began looking to improve on something, they all started out thinking they had the better widget, the better service, that would put them on a path to success. Big steel, big oil, big retail and big technology didn't start out that way, they started small, with people who's motivational genes were ratcheted to the upper limits and who often started out in a garage or as the mail boy with bigger dreams than anyone around them.
No one, Rupert Murdoch excepted, started out with thoughts of world domination, instead they were all about making a difference via a product, service and their employees. They accomplished this with the help of people they trusted, people they hired and people who made a difference within the corporations. The media view that large corporations are giant entities with insatiable appetites for profit negates the power of the individuals that join the dots between the CEO and the consumer. Large companies are built on the extraordinary ability of people to manage their way through daily complexities, be amazing, go home, have dinner, go to sleep and do it all over again the next day.
It's often said to be more difficult to make a difference in a big company but if you can make a difference one person at a time, before you know it, culture, processes, business acumen and bottom line improvements are taken care of. It's easy to make a dollar, it's a lot harder to make a difference, has been the mantra for many of today's leaders looking to change, to disrupt and to innovate. If the people part is done well, some companies grow, to local, regional and global entities on the backs and shoulders of the most important part of any business.
Next time you rage against the machine, against the company, consider who is standing on the other side of the door. Could be someone you know.
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