If you are an entrepreneur and facing a tough time convincing others of your idea, here are a few ideas that were rejected by ‘gurus’ of the world.
Most of great ideas look stupid from the day one. In fact, if your ‘world changing idea’ isn’t a stupid thought, you probably aren’t doing much.
Here are a few fav quotes of mine that were proved wrong. Proved wrong by an entrepreneur who believed in the idea and executed it as well.
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“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”
Thomas J. Watson Sr., IBM Chairman, 1943
“It is an idle dream to imagine that automobiles will take the place of railways in the long distance movement of passengers”
American Railroad Congress, 1913
“Your cigarettes will never become popular”
F. G. Alton, 1870, cigar maker, turning down Mr. John Player
“This ‘telephone’ has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication. The device is inherently of no value to us.”
Western Union internal memo, 1876.
“There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home.”
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
“Everything that can be invented has been invented.”
Charles H. Duell, Commissioner, U.S. Office of Patents, 1899.
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And the one that takes the cake?
“We don’t need you. You haven’t got through college yet.” – HP rejecting Steve Jobs’ application.
Call it lack of foresightedness, but most of the analysts/gurus fail to look at the future and as an entrepreneur, your job is to ‘keep walking’ [borrowed from Johnnie Walker ad].
Go on. Give your idea more time. Talk to people who want you to succeed – and at the same time, ensure that you aren’t drinking your ‘kool aid’. Only an entrepreneur can dream of a better future and give a shape to it.
Say no to naysayers!
