Compugen logo Compugen

  • Client Login
    • Case Lookup
    • Emerge Login
  • Find A Location
  • Careers
  • Blog
  • search
  • menu Menu
  • Business Solutions
  • Products & Services
  • About
  • Customer Stories
  • News
  • Events & Training
  • Contact
  • Compugen
  • Home
  • Business Solutions
    • Industry
      • Reimagine education with Compugen
      • Transformed services. Personalized patient care. Welcome to the Modern Hospital.
      • Reimagine the campus of the future
      • Technology solutions that empower retailers
      • IT Service for small & medium business
    • Strategy & Architecture
      • ​​IT Planning & Roadmaps
    • Datacentre & Cloud
      • Converged Datacentre
      • Cloud Computing
      • Server Virtualization
      • Enterprise Storage
      • Data Management & Protection
    • Communication & Collaboration
      • Business Communications
      • Networking
      • Wireless
    • End User Computing
      • Managing the Desktop
      • Mobility
      • Application Delivery
    • Security
  • Products & Services
    • Managed & Packaged Services
      • Managed & Packaged Services Overview
      • End User Support
      • Infrastructure Support
      • Software Management
      • Managed Print
      • Packaged Services
    • Professional Services
      • Professional Services
      • Program & Project Management
    • Support & Maintenance
      • Imaging & Deployment
      • Ongoing Maintenance
      • Staffing
    • Asset Disposal & Recycling
    • Hardware & Software Management
      • Hardware
      • Software
      • Online Lifecycle Management (Emerge)
    • Financing
  • About
    • Our Story
    • Leadership
    • Our Offices
    • Our Partners
    • Green Initiatives
    • Community Involvement
    • Awards
  • Customer Stories
  • News
  • Events & Training
  • Contact
IT Buzz Banner

Looking for a little inspiration, some ideas or trusted advice? We've got you covered.

Inspiration from a 20th century warrior

Posted By Randy Mandrish August 14, 2015 in

“A good plan violently executed now is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” George Smith Patton, Jr. (November 11, 1885 – December 21, 1945) patton b and w

When I was thirteen years old my father took me to see George C. Scott’s cinematic portrayal of General George S Patton. I was forever to become a student and fan of one of the most controversial generals of the Second World War. The movie went on to win 8 Academy Awards including the award for best actor which George C. Scott turned down for political reasons. Nonetheless the movie became a template for many a challenge that I have addressed in business over the last 30 years. I have seen this movie no less than 30 times and it’s still as relevant to me now as it was then. Apparently, I am not alone. Patton’s leadership has served to become an example, providing sought after advice in business. Patton is one of the most documented generals of his era. He was never at a loss for words on the topics of war, politicians and courage. Here are a few of my favorite quotes and what they have meant on a personal level. “Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.”patton tank In sales, set backs and losses are facts of life. Minimizing the impact is a skill that can sustain you till the next win is achieved. I have re-invented myself like many others, as I have worked in channel sales, with manufacturers, research firms and finally in direct sales with large enterprise clients. Each time there was a period of study, practice, failure and success. “Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” patton binocularsI have been very fortunate to work with industry veterans and exceptionally bright people in my career. I have always gravitated to the managers and leaders that set clear objectives but left the approach and tactics to me, while advising along the way. This has fostered my capability to adapt to many situations and to plan for contingencies in the face of competition or adversity. “Prepare for the unknown by studying how others in the past have coped with the unforeseeable and the unpredictable.” History is often forgotten and arrogance has been the undoing of many a general and a CEO. Patton was famous for reading ancient history immersing himself in the battles of centuries ago. He was just as diligent in studying his contemporary adversaries including General Erwin Rommel, commander of the German Africa Corps. Patton took advantage of his opposition’s belief that the American army could not form a sustainable and meaningful attack in Africa. In less than 30 days Rommel’s opinion would prove disastrously wrong. patton profile b and wrommel profile b and wPatton took command of his forces on March 6, 1943, and by March 17th had advanced to a point that the combined German and Italian forces were aware of the threat and began to respond on March 23rd. Patton had studied Rommel’s offensive tactics for years and planned a defensive trap that would change the war in in Africa. By April 7th the ground lost by the allies in February of that year was regained, in part due to Patton’s insistence on understanding his enemy. Rommel never again returned to Africa to fight against Patton. When their armies met again in France, Rommel would later admit that Patton had exceeded Rommel’s success using his own Blitzkrieg tactics, unleashing a vigorous, destructive and rapid advance that Rommel never imagined. patton victory b and w“Better to fight for something than live for nothing.” Sales is a contest, a battle, a campaign, and it has both the thrill of success and the agony of defeat. I will admit, that a career in sales for me was a fortuitous accident. I had originally thought I would end up in finance. Since then I have sought to build upon my transition to sales, by seeking out mentors, opportunities for education and organizations that have supported my journey as a professional. Perhaps this has been the most important career challenge I have faced, with the most rewards and the fewest pitfalls.

< Back to all Itbuzz & Articles
  • twitter
  • facebook
  • linkedin
Subscribe via RSS mail Subscribe via Email

Latest News

Ed Tech Awards

Compugen Named Canada’s EdTech Partner of the Year

November 19, 2020

Compugen is proud to announce it was awarded EdTech Partner of the Year for 2020 at the Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit. This award recognizes the extensive contribution Compugen has made to encourage and facilitate educational development through technology across Canada. Read More …

Azure 3

Cloud Adoption made simple in Compugen offerings featured on Microsoft’s Azure Marketplace

November 12, 2020

A simple, 3 step approach for organizations migrating or growing their cloud investment Read More …

News & Articles

What’s happening with Compugen? Read it here.

View all News Items & Articles

Simplify your business and watch it grow.
Let's start a conversation.

We address the bottom of the iceberg. Sign up and get relevant and timely content about our approach to business through an IT lens.

Navigation

Business Solutions

  • Industry
  • Strategy & Architecture
  • Datacentre & Cloud
  • Communication & Collaboration
  • End User Computing
  • Security

Products & Services

  • Managed & Packaged Services
  • Professional Services
  • Support & Maintenance
  • Asset Disposal & Recycling
  • Hardware & Software Management
  • Financing

Customer Stories

  • Corporate
  • Education
  • Energy and Utilities
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Non-profit
  • Public Sector
  • Retail

About

  • Our Story
  • Leadership
  • Our Offices
  • Our Partners
  • Green Initiatives
  • Community Involvement
  • Awards

Careers

  • Working at Compugen
  • Current Opportunities

Contact

  • Find A Location

News & Articles

  • Find A Location
  • Awards

Client Login

  • Case Lookup
  • Emerge Login

Industry

  • K-12 Education
  • Healthcare
  • Higher Education
  • Retail
  • SMB

Connect With Us

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • linkedin
IT Buzz
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • National Master Standing Offers (NMSO)

©2021, Compugen Inc. Website by Caffeine Creations.