BEHOLD THE BEST OF INTENTIONS

In 2012, a small town in Spain got 15 minutes of international fame thanks to an 83-year-old woman. 

Cecilia Giménez gained instant notoriety for her self-directed efforts to restore a century-old fresco of Jesus, Ecce Homo (“Behold the Man”) by Garcia Martinez. 

As you can see, her efforts were more of a transformation than a restoration…with fickle art critics and historians not exactly offering rave reviews.

The obvious question I’d like to ask her is this:  “At what point did you realize things weren’t going so well?  Did you actually have a plan or ever consider asking for help as the man morphed into a monkey?”

I imagine she would admit that there was trouble well before she got to the finishing details around the eyes or the nose or the lips.  I assume she’d justify her actions by the good intention, not the actual result.

We judge others by their results, but we measure ourselves by our intentions.”

 - adapted from Stephen Covey

JUMP FORWARD THREE YEARS

What started out as a disaster (and still is one to most art historians) has actually resulted in some rather positive outcomes.

Most notably, that little town of Borja, Spain has enjoyed a new influx of tourists who have added it to their itinerary just to see that newly-famous fresco with their own eyes.  Due to the small size of the town, this has had a significant impact on its economy.

Ironically, greater effort is now being done to preserve Ecce Homo as a piece of modern art than was ever done to preserve it as a 19th century religious relic.

THE LESSONS

So what can an 83-year old amateur artist teach you about launching a new product?

1. Good intentions and good ideas don’t always lead to good results:  There is a significant distance between developing a product that satisfies a desire, gaining the right distribution and building sales momentum.  Don’t confuse having potential with doing the things necessary to deliver sustainable results.
2. Recognize when you’re no longer on the right path, and ask for help:  Most mistakes made by small companies unfold over time.  Through ignorance or arrogance, leaders fail to recognize the slow-motion train wreck.  Be proactive as soon as you start to see things drift off course.
3. Adapt to make opportunities out of failures:  Mistakes are the building blocks that many companies stand on to eventually reach success.  Don’t try to forget or ignore these lessons.  Use them to modify your strategies and improve your tactics.  Learning what doesn’t work should eventually lead you to what does.