Lessons for Races and RunSignUp from Forbes 100 Essays

The 100th Anniversary edition of Forbes contained a section with short quotes or essays from 100 of the best business minds. There are a number of quotes that are thought provoking for races and for RunSignUp. Here are the highlights we took from the list.

For Races & RunSignUp

“Over the next few years, as the cost of making something intelligent approaches zero, companies (read races and RunSignUp) will succeed or fail based on their ability to translate data, including historical data, into insights and actions and products and services in real time.” Michael Dell.

“Every business is a living document, an algorithm that needs to be improved.” – Billy Beane.

“Ideas are a dime a dozen. What makes the difference is the execution of the idea.” Craig Venter.

“I use what I call the “Mother test”. If your mother calls you and tells you that she is proud of what you are doing, that’s probably a good indication.” David Rubenstein.

“With great companies, the passage of time is a major positive.” Peter Lynch.

“Find a good business with a durable, competitive advantage, run by able and honest people, and available at a price that makes sense.” Warren Buffet.

“Business was originated to produce happiness, not to pile up millions.” B.C. Forbes, recounted by Steve Forbes in the opening to this magazine edition.

Why RunSignup and Races are Successful

“We’re in the midst of a gigantic transition, where customers have incredible power as a result of transparency and word of mouth. It used to be that if you made a customer happy, they would tell five friends. Now with the megaphone of the internet, whether online customer reviews or social media, they can tell 5,000 friends. In the old days an inferior product could prevail in the marketplace with superior marketing. Today customers can tell whether product and service is good because there is so much transparency. They can compare it to others very easily, and then they can tell their friends – the customers will do part of the heavy lifting, marketing-wise. Rather than inferior product shouting louder, we have sort of a product meritocracy. It’s very good for customers, it’s very good for the companies that embrace it – and it’s very good for society.” Jeff Bezos.

Thank you to our customers for being the megaphone for RunSignUp!