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Business owners can generally be categorized into two distinct groups: merchants and entrepreneurs. Merchants are typically skilled in trade, focusing on short-term gains and immediate profits. On the other hand, entrepreneurs not only pay attention to short-term benefits but also have a long-term vision, striving to find a balanced approach between both. Every business operator must start as a merchant—without the ability to manage day-to-day operations, a company cannot even survive, let alone grow and develop sustainably.
However, some individuals struggle to move beyond their current capabilities due to a lack of certain qualities such as literacy, ambition, values, talents, or a well-structured knowledge base. As a result, even if they build a large business, they may remain merely shrewd merchants rather than true entrepreneurs. Those who continuously challenge themselves and evolve can eventually become entrepreneurs. Over time, these individuals often develop a unique business philosophy shaped by their personal experiences and the characteristics of their industry. This philosophy becomes the core driving force behind their long-term success and sustainable growth.
In my consulting practice, I frequently encounter these two types of business leaders. Those who fall into the first category tend to prefer short-term partnerships, while the second group—entrepreneurs—often build lasting, meaningful relationships with their partners, growing together over time. The reason these entrepreneurs succeed is that they think more strategically, view problems from broader, deeper, and more forward-looking perspectives. They possess the instinct of a merchant to spot opportunities, but they also have the ability to see through surface-level appearances and anticipate future trends. This kind of mindset plays a crucial role in their long-term achievements.
To put it differently, if a business leader lacks this strategic thinking, they must actively cultivate it. Today, there are countless training programs for executives, but very few offer courses in philosophy. A philosophy class would teach operators how to identify patterns in complex situations, distinguish essence from appearance, and foresee future developments. While specific disciplines break things down and teach you how to understand details, philosophy helps you see the bigger picture. It's like learning to draw—you start by observing how light interacts with objects and how they change under different conditions. Without a philosophical perspective, your thinking remains narrow, focused only on individual trees without seeing the forest. Philosophy liberates you from this limited way of thinking, making you more resilient and strategic. That’s why philosophy is rightly regarded as "the science of sciences."
Looking at today’s successful entrepreneurs in China—people like Liu Chuanzhi, Zhang Ruimin, Wang Shi, Feng Lun, and Ma Yun—it's clear that they all possess a deep philosophical wisdom. Their insights help them uncover underlying laws, grasp future directions, and drive sustainable development. If you want your company to thrive for the long term, you must embrace philosophical thinking. You need to explore and develop a deeper understanding of industry trends, which will serve as the foundation for building a lasting, century-old enterprise.