Business Success as an Outlier

by Jennie M. Xue Contrary to what motivational speakers believe, Malcolm Gladwell posited that many variables are at play in “successful” individuals: they are more than intelligent, courageous, and persistent in achieving goals. They are “outliers,” meaning that success is an accumulation of, among others, consistent training of 10,000 hours in five years, good “entry” timing, which part of town or country you were born in, who your parents are, what economic era you were born in, and which month of the year you were born in. On top of these, one must have sufficient talents and skills to showcase to the world. The same also applies with products and services that businesses offer. Being an outlier certainly helps a business and outliers can help it even more. First things first, let us discuss the traits of an outlier business. Which businesses are “outliers”? Amazon is definitely one. It had...