I don't think any great company places profit first. There must be a passion for great products, great service, innovation, etc. On the other hand, profit must be a strong second on the priority list, else the company fails. One reason I admire Rivendell is that Grant places classic bikes first. Yet he does what is necessary to make a profit so the business can survive. Ernesto seems to sometime let profit slip into first place, like with the late 70's quality, but I think he at least keeps making good - and often innovative - bikes in a close second. I don't think I can call Colnago a great builder, but he ceratinly is a good one.
Regards,
Jerry Moos Houston, TX
Reg
> Jerry,
>
> The question isn't about putting profit motivation ahead of everything
> else, it's about how important and what other motivations there are.
>
> If Colnago had the sole motivation of profit, (i know you didn't say that)
> you have to ask yourself, why be in the bike biz at all?
> There's a heck of a lot easier ways to make money. Anyone who has
> been in the bike business for a long time needs to be praised for their
> commitment to a great sport, because they do a lot of things because of
> their
> passion for cycling.
>
> I find it interesting that so many successful companies in business have
> a stated secondary purpose to their mission than just profit. Whether
> it's a drive to be the best, or contribute to charity, community, or
> support employees, there is scarcely an admired company whose primary
> purpose is to produce the cheapest product with the most profit.
>
> Grant McLean
> Toronto.Ca
>
> O \O/
> _< \_ _< _
> (_)>(_) (_)>(_)
>
> Jerry Moos wrote:
> Ernesto's motivation has always been profit before artistry, but maybe
that
> is why he
> is a survivor when so many others have folded.