Business lesson : Kudus survive among predators / leopards
For 23 years at Shayamanzi I have seen how kudus breed successfully in the thickest bush, gorges and mountains. Kudu bulls become large and strong, develop trophy horns and usually die of old age or because of fighting with other kudus. They have been surviving in the Bushveld for decades without much supplementary feeding, tick dipping or veterinary care. Kudu cows are probably the best mothers on earth. It is not unusual to see calves from two seasons with their mothers. The mother would even sacrifice her own wellbeing to ensure that her young have something to eat.
The young kudus are all around the mother and the other cows and are not hidden for long periods, as is the case with many other species.
The kudu cows are also curious and it is usually the genes of the dominant bull that are perpetuated. A kudu bull will sometimes fight to the death in order to ´win´ himself a small group of cows. Although kudu bulls are large and strong with dangerous horns, they avoid conflicts with other species. For example, they avoid the zebra´s vicious kick, the long, thin horns of the gemsbuck, the hooked horns and powerful head butts of the blue wildebeest and even the dagger like horns of the (smaller) nyala bull. Their main competition in the Bushveld however is man (hunters) and their own kind – other kudu bulls. Poor environments (few leaves in winter) and diseases (spleen diseases) are also major risks for the kudu.
In view of the kudu´s survival ability in the dense bushveld, among the many leopards that share the same environment, it is probably only a matter of time before this ability to survive, combined with one or other colour variation, will result in the current relatively low price (of kudu) going through the roof.
Time will tell how long this new "fashion" will last. The names and packaging sound strange, such as black impala, golden blue wildebeest, and who knows, maybe even pink, blue, black or two-tone kudu one of these days.
Something that definitely will not last are the prices that annually escalate by 50%, 100% or even more. In laymen´s terms this means that the price doubles every year. Any realistic, experienced and greedy investor will know that it is only a matter of time before the price bubble will burst.
Any business person, young or old, can learn so much merely by watching kudus and leopards in the bushveld. These two animals are probably the best examples of survival in a challenging environment, with numerous risks, many of which are major.
The way kudus and leopards handle risks and fight for survival of their species provides lessons for every business person and young individual aspiring to enter the business world. Nature remains one of the best taskmasters, whether you are a business person or an engineer.
Kudus know their environment (market) just as experienced business people do. They know where the good grazing areas (businesses) are, as well as the high-risk areas (water holes and feeding points). They know where their competition´s territories (other kudus) are and respect these. They know the territories of the predators (e.g. not too rocky and preferably closer to water and feeding points). They know the attacking strategies of the predators, e.g. at night, against the wind in the long grass, or a tree next to a trail that is used often. Kudus know when predators will attack, e.g. at night when predators can see significantly better than their prey, or when the wind blows strongly, so that the predators cannot be heard. They know the high-risk situations, e.g. when pairing, around feeding points, during birth or when they lie down to rest – where their focus and attention are divided. At such times, they are vulnerable to attack and can be injured or even killed (transactions which can cause you to lose your business). They learn from each other (mock skirmishes) and know their own strengths and abilities (fight if you must or respect and withdraw).
They know that their most feared competition (humans, predators and even other kudus) often follow the path of least resistance. With some effort and good knowledge the experienced kudu will rather feed, pair or rest higher up on the rocky side of the mountain, areas that hunters and leopards will avoid if they find easy and inexperienced prey next to a feeding or water point, an area where the food is readily available, but the risks are high. The business principle of high return and vice versa is true, but the secret probably lies in a healthy combination. Eat at midday, when hunters prowl, and at night, when leopards and predators avoid difficult terrain to avoid injuries.
Although kudus have incredible senses, which can all be utilised simultaneously, e.g. the ability to see, smell and hear, they also use other resources to survive, namely paying attention to their environment, e.g. seeing a large bird that suddenly departs, hearing a baboon barking from high up in a tree, or seeing a small antelope fleeing into the bush. Therefore, in business, you should use the experts´ better abilities or perspectives to assess the risks to your business.
Recognising a risk timeously (timing), by a young clerk or receptionist who hears something via the telephone from clients, can help you to react timeously, but also in a calm and reasoned manner. Kudu, even in great danger, react instinctively, e.g. around a water hole. However, they react in a more calm and reasoned manner from a strong position, such as against a mountain side among dense bush where they are camouflaged and know the danger or risk allows some time to react. For example, when experiencing a malfunctioning telephone or power failure, business people will immediately and instinctively use their cellphones, while a transaction that is going off the rails can be evaluated calmly and in a reasoned manner by experts in a conference room.
Kudus are aware of their strengths and weaknesses (SWOT analysis) and use their competitive advantage wisely. A handsome bull will show his good condition, strength and long horns (strong genes) to the cows he wants to impress, but will hide among the vegetation when a hunter appears. Advertise the strength of your product or enterprise to attract clients, but don´t reveal every secret of your success, which your competition may use to your detriment.
Kudus are proud animals, but they respect their environment and others around them. They even fight ethically by attacking the other bull from the front, while looking him in the eyes. They allow the sun to shine on all the other animals and other kudu herds, of course within nature´s boundaries. Do you do this with your business?
Do you allow the sun to even shine on your competition, do you act ethically, as this builds a stronger brand that is respected by clients? Doctors, for example, practise alongside one another, in their own practices, in association and refer diagnoses beyond their abilities to specialists. It is no secret that doctors, even in competitive environments, thrive financially and even gain respect from colleagues.
Ironically, the survival ability and healthy breeding percentage of kudus, count against them as far as money (price) is concerned. Everyone accepts that there will always be kudus to hunt as they have always been available in large numbers. Kudus are already a world renowned brand, and as soon as an increased demand arises for kudu meat, e.g. by restaurants, exports, breeding bulls, colour variations, and so on, this beautiful antelope´s price will rise rapidly.
Game farmers should look carefully at their marketing packaging and clients. It is the same in your business. Sometimes you just assume that your clients, who you have gained over the years, will always be there, until someone else changes his price, packaging, product, distribution, or something else and your clients suddenly start leaving. It will cost you thousands of rand to get them back, if ever.
You can ensure that you remain your clients´ preferred brand by continuously evaluating your price, product, distribution, service, packaging, etc.
