Half full or half empty? The story of Bata Shoes...

by smodha

Posted: 12 years ago 17 replies

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Hey WF,

How you approach life will ultimately decide the outcome of it. In my opinion, there are only two types of people on this planet. The guys who find solutions and guys who concentrate on problems. Let me share a story with you...

Shoe manufacturers from all over the world were looking for emerging markets to sell their products to. After scouring the globe, some of them sent sales teams into Africa, completed their due diligence reports and headed back to their countries of origin. The overall majority said, "There is no market in Africa because nobody wears shoes".

Bata Shoes (a company from the Czech Republic) also sent their sales teams into Africa, completed their due diligence reports and headed back to their HQ. They said, "There is a market in Africa because nobody wears shoes!".

Bata now dominate Africa and the developing world in the shoes market all because they saw opportunity where others saw obstacles or risk.

So tell me, what are you? Half full or half empty?

Sanj.

PS - This was many years back when Africa wasn't a developing market. I have been to Africa many times and people do wear shoes.

#bata #empty #full #half #shoes #story

Bhekizwe

12 years ago

Originally Posted by smodha

"There is no market in Africa because nobody wears shoes".

"There is a market in Africa because nobody wears shoes!".

So tell me, what are you? Half full or half empty?

Great perspectives.Ken McElroy of Rich Dad Advisors once said "many people shun problems yet it is in problems where opportunities [to provide solutions ]exist"

Thanks

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Will Edwards 12 years ago

Originally Posted by smodha

How you approach life will ultimately decide the outcome of it. In my opinion, there are only two types of people on this planet.

Actually, there are three types of people on the planet - those that can count and those that can't

Anyway, I remember this story from way back, but didn't know the company was Bata - so thanks for that little bit of info.

Will
- Thanks
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10zen 12 years ago

Questions are the answers
Problems are the solutions..

For every problem out there, someone is making money!
If there isn't already market you can make one, you just have to make the people
see the value in what you have to offer.

I see lots of opportunities in my own country as it is a developing country. Many wish if it were US or some 1st world country for different opportunities. But in reality, it is less competitive here.
You can still be the first one introduce different services and products to the people.
- Thanks
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conanedo 12 years ago

ckckck very optimistic, umm i think people at africa relatively poor.. i don't think they will buy shoes for priority
- Thanks
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QuelThalas 11 years ago

a glass of water theory. good perspective. maybe people perspective is half empty because the habit thought about it. maybe?
- Thanks
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Anne0521

11 years ago

Originally Posted by smodha

Hey WF,

How you approach life will ultimately decide the outcome of it.

"There is no market in Africa because nobody wears shoes".

"There is a market in Africa because nobody wears shoes!".

Nice!..sounds like if there's a well, there's a way.But anyway, I agree with you, some people have a positive approach about life so they have a happy disposition and always look at the bright side of life.

I guess that's one thing I want to have in my life..

Thanks
1 reply

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Joel Young 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Anne0521

...if there's a well, there's a way.

If there's a well??
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- 1 reply
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- John Coutts 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Joel Young
  
  Originally Posted by Anne0521
  
  ...if there's a well, there's a way.
  
  If there's a well??
  
  ... probably the well they used to half fill the glass.
  
  Thanks
  
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Gary Ning Lo 11 years ago

Nice story and i get your point but Bata Shoes is near bankruptcy in my country..

Cheers,

Gary
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jay walters 11 years ago

Thank you for the share. I like the story.
- Thanks
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Claude Whitacre

11 years ago

Originally Posted by smodha

The overall majority said, "There is no market in Africa because nobody wears shoes".

Bata Shoes (a company from the Czech Republic) also sent their sales teams into Africa, completed their due diligence reports and headed back to their HQ. They said, "There is a market in Africa because nobody wears shoes!".

Bata now dominate Africa and the developing world in the shoes market all because they saw opportunity where others saw obstacles or risk.

So tell me, what are you? Half full or half empty?

Sanj.

PS - This was many years back when Africa wasn't a developing market. I have been to Africa many times and people do wear shoes.

I've heard the story told a few different ways.

From a marketing point of view, it's always better to sell shoes to people who wear shoes. If they don't wear shoes, now you have to sell the idea of wearing shoes at all.

Anyway, about the "Glass half full" idea?

While you guys were debating, I drank the water...and sold the glass.

Thanks
1 reply

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Horny Devil Banned 11 years ago

Originally Posted by Claude Whitacre

While you guys were debating, I drank the water...and sold the glass.

I just sold the water and the glass.
- Thanks
- 1 reply
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- Claude Whitacre 11 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by Horny Devil
  
  I just sold the water and the glass.
  
  You just used one of your reverse psychology, Jedi mind trick, back flip, gotcha, sociopathic techniques on me, didn't you?
  
  Well....I took a bath in that water you just sold. Now you are in trouble with the EPA and the CDC.
  
  And that glass you sold? It has your fingerprints on it. Yes, your dirty little incriminating horny Devil fingerprints.
  
  Now, give me all the money you made on that glass of water...or I'm turning you in the the authorities.
  
  Claude "The whistle blower" Whitacre
  
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  â€œDo not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise; seek what they sought.â€ - Matsuo Basho
  
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LastingLifeSuccess 11 years ago

I am a middle of the road guy.

The story of Bata Shoes was a good reminder of what to look for in a business opportunity.

Thanks for the interesting thread.

LLS
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ViralMediaBoost 11 years ago

The concept is totally spot on: Sell shoes to those who wear them. If they don't, sell them the idea why we need to wear shoes. Thanks!
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brutecky 11 years ago

Originally Posted by smodha

So tell me, what are you? Half full or half empty?

Im a half empty kind of guy. Being aware of the negative and seeing things I dont like gives me the drive and energy to improve and innovate.
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Ken Houck 11 years ago

Great story, I a definitely glad you shared it. Thanks
- Thanks
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Half full or half empty? The story of Bata Shoes...

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