Passion

By James W. Ahola, B.A.Sc.

I vividly remember when I first discovered the difference passion makes. In the summer of 1988 I was reviewing a roadmap with my friend on the side of the highway just outside of San Diego. With F14 fighter jets flying overhead we discussed our route back to Los Angeles. As I walked back to my car trying unsuccessfully to hold back a smile, the warm California sun caressed my cheek. I was driving a recently acquired Porsche 911SC, (you’d be smiling too). I started the car eagerly, put it in gear and released the clutch—only to stall it. How embarrassing. I had driven standard vehicles for a number of years and with the exception of this car, and its racing clutch, I couldn’t remember the last time I had stalled a car. This, I decided, was going to be the last time it happened. Angrily I restarted the vehicle and began to rev the finely tuned engine.

Being a car enthusiast and well-read about the Porsche legacy, I knew how Dr. Ferdinand Porsche possessed a passion to build a great sports car that delivered excitement. His designs focused on giving the driver the best command of the road possible. His pursuit of this ideal was unrelenting; at least that is what I had read. With the rpm hovering about 3500, I let the clutch spring up from under my left foot. It was in the following brief few seconds that I was to be fully educated in Dr. Porsche’s passion. The car launched forward, and I was thrown back into my seat. My hands desperately gripped the leather wrapped steering wheel which guided this German missile with flawless precision. As the world accelerated past me in an unprecedented manner the engine roar increased to a dangerous high pitch. Glancing down at the tachometer I noticed the needle approaching the red zone. With reflex speed I changed into second gear to once again be pressed deeper into my seat. It was in third gear when I began to re-enter normal existence, figuring I was now at cruising speed. Looking at the tachometer I found myself at a safe 3500 rpm, but the speedometer showed I was greatly in excess of the state speed limit. With goosebumps on my arms and adrenaline coursing through my veins I eased back on the aptly named accelerator. In those few memorable seconds I truly learned that products of passion deliver more.

Products are around us everywhere but not all products are the same. Some products are produced for a pay cheque, others are birthed from a passion. The airwaves are filled with songs that are churned out to produce profits for share holders. Then there are songs like Eric Clapton’s Tears in Heaven or Elton John’s Goodbye Norma Jean, which are a pouring out of an artist’s heart and soul. Hollywood produces movies by the thousands, but movies like Schindler’s List and Braveheart are a director’s passion unveiled before our eyes. Products of passion deliver more, more than the sticker price, more than the price of admission, and much more than what the competition offers. We can find passion in the food we eat, the clothes we wear, and the services we receive. When we find it, we usually find a business that is flourishing. Passion and pride of workmanship are things that people and corporations tend to forget about or discount today, when the focus tends to be on profit and money.

Don’t get me wrong, profits are important, as they allow companies and individuals to grow and thrive. But a focus on profits alone will tend to lead to a company or person’s corruption and demise. The recent financial crisis is a testament to this. However, a focus on product and a passion for delivering the best will ensure profits. I do not know how much Dr. Porsche, Eric Clapton or Steven Spielberg were paid for their efforts. Personally I hope they were rewarded handsomely, but no matter what they were paid, I believe we got the better end of the deal, and I think most people will agree.

I checked out the Porsche website the other day. I was happy to read two important facts: first, they are a small car company that is dedicated to delivering the passion of its founding father. Second, they are the world’s most profitable automobile manufacturer. These facts bring a smile to my face, because I know that when it is time for me to buy my own Porsche, they will still be there and I will be guaranteed a whole new set of goose bumps.

Focus on your passion, give your best and the profits will follow.