Setbacks: What Goes Up What Must Come Down

Remain Positive

Yahoo!, the popular site that began as a directory and is now quite more, is an enigma in business. After all, when was the last time you paid money to Yahoo? Some people have but they are few. For this reason, after the stock market began to emphasize revenue growth and sustained profitability, many questioned how long Yahoo! could survive as a going concern and whether it would have to use its cash hoard to make an acquisition or sell to a larger media firm.

As these questions lingered, CEO Tim Koogle retired and room was made was for former Hollywood studio chief Terry Semel. Independent of criticism, Semel maintained his cool demeanor. Many experienced Internet executives – treated as saints during the golden era but ridiculed when they could not show a profit – would have been great for Yahoo! But Semel was one of the few people to keep his composure when the market was falling beneath his feet.

Good News: What Is Down Must Come Up

If Yahoo! was a high flyer that came crashing down, Trent Dilfer was a high flyer who crashed, rose, then crashed again, only to make an ascent once more. Dilfer was the Super Bowl XXXV MVP in Tampa Bay who led the Baltimore Ravens to victory over the New York Giants. What made the victory and MVP title even sweeter was that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers - host city of the XXXV Super Bowl - drafted Dilfer.

The season before the Super Bowl triumph, Dilfer had been cast aside. His previous team, the Bucs, had favored the younger and more athletic Shaun King. When Dilfer was released, he signed as a backup to Tony Banks in Baltimore. By default, he was given a shot to run the offense and he rewarded Ravens management with a victory in the Super Bowl. Weeks later, the Ravens disposed of the MVP and signed Elvis Grbac. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Afterwards, Dilfer was asked what his greatest asset was, and he answered that he had endured many failures but had overcome adversity. It is true what they say, you need to hit rock bottom to get back up.

Marathon Or Race

The shortest distance between two points is a straight line, but it is not always the most fun and interesting route. If the journey is a race, take the straight line but be advised that in business you should take the scenic route once in a while.

This applies both to business school and the corporate world. In school, some of you have a 1-year, 2-year, 3-year or even 4-year degree to complete. Does this mean that you have to complete it in the given timeframe? Not necessarily, but technically this is an endeavor with a predetermined budget and time deadline, so respecting them is key.

That being said, finishing on time and within budget does not guarantee success. Think of James Cameron's Titanic: his movie surpassed its budget and was completed later than anticipated yet it went on to set records at the box office. So good things do come to those who wait.