Business Lessons from the Alamo.

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tt's a well-known phrase, "drawing the linem in the sand', but where did it come from?

There are several historical references to this phrase , dating back to hundreds of years, but there's 

one that stands out. 

On March 5th, 1863 at the Alamo, just before Santa Anna's troops began their final assault, a desperate 

Col. William B. Travis told his men that no rescue was coming and offered his men a choice to stay

and fight to the death or leave. He then drew his sword and drew a line in the sand asking those who 

wanted to stay and fight to cross over. All, but one, crossed over the line and decided to stay and fight.

The rest is an amazing point in our country's history. 

So what two business lessons can we learn from the brave men at the Alamo?

FIGHTING AGAINST IMPOSSIBLE ODDS- The odds were stacked against those defending the 

Alamo...200 men ahainst 6,000 of Santa Anna's troops.

In business when have you fought against impossible odds? Travis's small band of men

held out for 13 days with death an almost certainty..

If your business is holding on for life with no additional resources coming, what do you do?

Sure, sometimes it's wise to throw in the towel, but not before you fight as long and as 

hard as you can. 

THE LINE IN THE SAND- In the business world when have you drawn a line in the sand?

With your employees? With your customers? With your organization?

Travis's line in the sand was about COMMITMENT.

 In today's world, it means something entirely different. It means a BOUNDARY or a point of no return.

If we make this comment in todays world, please make it COMMITMENT oriented ,and not

BOUNDARY oriented. Calling for commitment is one of the best things in business we can 

ask for.



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