Achievement Vis-A-Vis Winning

What do you want? Do you want to achieve or win? Which is better?

- Sudharshan Rao K

Most of us want to be a winner but only a few of us want to achieve. We often use these two powerful words, sometimes even using the one while thinking of the other, without realizing its significance. For me, achievement is more powerful and a tough nut to crack; it requires a lot of intelligence and foresightedness. Winning, in a way, appears similar but in reality, it is not. Both work towards a target and want to create an impression. However, achievement creates a lasting impression.

Consider the following example:

Company A wants to be number 1 in the market while Company B wants to ensure double-digit growth for all its products/segments continuously. Here, A wants to be a winner while B wants to be an achiever and when it achieves, winning is part of the process. Company A maybe a winner in the short-run but for Company B, it is only a matter of time; it will achieve and that will be its nature…

Now, let us consider another example:

A multinational company, providing global services wants to achieve a revenue target of $50 billion by 2020. The company didn't say we want to be #1 in this or that region or in this or that service line, but vows to ensure exceptional client service to achieve this milestone. For this, they created the Vision 2020 programme after a SWOT analysis and, in the process, factored all possible situations and arrived at this target. When it is achieved, which in all probability will happen, yes, it will push it to an enviable position.