Competition LO16798

Richard Goodale (fc45@dial.pipex.com)
Mon, 02 Feb 98 13:45:10 GMT

Replying to LO16750

Winfried

Thanks for the thoughtful reply. Perhaps our disagreement is partly
definitional (as per Freddy Holwerda's reply, and mine to him).

If there is utility to such a thing as a theory of competition, I would
argue that to have such utility other basics should be involved. Values
(relative and absolute), Technologies (external and internal) and Visions
(of "self" and of the outside world) are 3 that come to mind right now.

I think you are right, in a sense, that competition is only "real" at the
borders. To me this means, when a sale is made, an idea triumphs, or a
goal is scored. Nevertheless, to me, such realities are only
manifestations of the values of the "heavy lifting" elements of
competition--the product and service and personal differentiation that
went into the efforts that resulted in the sale; the thinking and debate
and dialogue and experimentation that created the idea that triumphed; the
endless drilling in the fundamentals, commitment to personal fitness, and
nurturing of team ethos that led to the winning goal.

To me, competition is about all those things, and more. This richness is
why it has proven to be such an effective system for improving (most of
the time) the human condition.

Cheers

Richard

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Richard Goodale <fc45@dial.pipex.com>

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