Why The Magic Vanishes ?

" I am not a businessman, I am a business, man. "  Jay Z

When in your business cycle does the magic stop happening ?  This question has intrigued me this past couple of weeks. What with Jay Z'x music platform Tidal and the fallout from Trump's decision to run for president.

It appears the magic has stopped and the pushback has occurred. The press are reporting dismal numbers for Tidal. Trump has run into difficulties with Miss USA and Macy's to say nothing of the other stuff.

You start our as an entrepreneur. You do well, other opportunities come your way, you grab them and continue to be successful. People offer you joint ventures and it appears the world is your oyster, beautiful pearls of money and recognition appear, as if by magic.

Then somewhere along the line, you go for one more thing, everyone tells you " it's a sure hit ". But this is when the pushback happens. The numbers are slow, the press start digging and nitpicking. Your words instead of calming, cause fear and panic.

What is this elusive point, where your star starts to fade. Studying economics at college, one of the first axioms you learn is about price elasticity demand.
" Price elasticity of demand shows the relationship between price and quantity demanded and provides a precise calculation of the affect of a change in price on quantity demanded ".

So what is the calculation that shows, how one goes from being a businessman, to a business, to the band snapping and the resulting fallout ?

I don't know, but it is one intriguing question. We have seen it time and time again throughout history. Is it hubris, overconfidence ? Are people comfortable at the level you have achieved and jealousy sets in and that one extra business is one too far, for your consumers and supporters ?

It is a conundrum and if anyone has a calculation like the price elasticity demand one, please share it in the comments below.

Have a fantastic week,
Colin Myles
Author & Listener

P.S.
Rushing into action, you fail,
Trying to grasp things, you lose them,
Forcing a project to completion
You ruin what was almost ripe"  The Book of Tao

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