It was my birthday last month and, as an over-generous treat, my family took me out to dinner at the recently opened The Peninsula Hotels hotel near Hyde Park Corner. I grew up in Hong Kong and loved my time there – it was an amazing melting pot of cultures and activity. I am sure that you can imagine my delight on seeing the stone lions guarding the hotel doorway in London. In ancient Chinese tradition these lions (known colloquially in English as fu dogs or lions) guard the entrances to important buildings. The male usually has a ball beneath it foot and symbolises the material world, while the female has a cub under her paw, and she represents spirituality.
Prior to the building becoming occupied, the lions’ eyes are deliberately blindfolded. It would be discourteous to expect a powerful fu lion to guard a building site and, if the statue was empty of the fu lion’s essence, the owners should take action to prevent an evil or malicious spirit from taking possession of the statue and then causing problems in the future.
The act of blindfolding, symbolic of the need to do the right thing at the right time, parallels business preparation. Like bringing the lions to life only once things are ready, businesses must devise approaches and plan meticulously before embarking on ventures. Market analysis, risk assessment, and robust strategies are crucial. Just as real lions rely on instinct and respond to circumstances as they evolve, so businesses need to be agile and have contingency plans. Operational readiness, including talent and technology alignment, is vital. Discipline amidst distractions ensures staying power. Balancing power with prudence, businesses must set realistic goals. In today's world, the blindfolding of fu lions teaches the importance of foresight and discipline. Preparedness is key for sustained success within challenging business environments; you need to know when to remove the blindfold and open your eyes.
No comments:
Post a Comment