How important is the health of the businessman to ensure a healthy business?

While the gender of the businessman is often discussed, what really needs to be emphasized on is his/her health.

 By Karina Pandya

“Health is wealth” is one of the most over-used statements that are emphasised in today’s times. If one has good health, half the battles in life are won. In today’s times as the number of small and large-scale entrepreneurships rise, there is a necessity to understand the important components of what helps to create a successful and thriving business.

The health of a businessman and his/her employees would naturally rank as an important factor. However, beyond that, it is also very important to know what helps a company run smoothly and successfully.

Most of the business owners play a very critical role in the day-to-day activities and operations of the business. There are few businesses that can actually afford to run themselves independently of their owners. In fact, business owners are frequently known to be the driving force behind the running of the business.

Who would be in charge of making all the decisions for the company or even processing significant orders in the absence of the owner? While there may be a staff in place, it cannot always be ascertained whether the faith and loyalty in the business will be maintained. This is exactly where the business owner comes into the picture. He/she is not merely a person having a namesake job position, but is the person in charge of ensuring that the business runs in an orderly manner.      

Many factors such as infrastructure, capital, business plan, technology, recruitment, marketing, sales and several other factors are emphasized on when we talk about the success of a business. However, the health of the businessman/owner is very often taken for granted.

In fact, many small sized businesses often close down if the owner of the company falls ill or suffers from significant health issues.  They are known for starting and ending in obscurity. Yet, other companies are known to tug at their heartstrings, in an endless chase for success.

Larger companies however are not reliant on a single person, as it is far easier to access a wider pool of talent.  In the case of Apple, founder Steve Jobs had stepped down owing to his ill health (having a rare form of pancreatic cancer). While his death, which followed, was an extremely sad event, it has not stopped the company Apple from thriving and continuing its business.

One must however, also not hold disabilities and healthcare issues to such an extent as to discourage people from taking up key positions.

Mr. R. C. Singh, Chairman of B P Marine Academy is one example of a person who has overcome his disabilities to find exemplary success. Despite being physically handicapped, he is well known for running the successful marine education institution.

Stephen Hawking, the world’s most successful ‘scientific entrepreneurs’ is an exemplary story. Despite suffering from physical and cognitive challenges, and having a body that is completely ravaged with disabilities he has continued to find success in the field of scientific works.

Hence, it needs to be understood that a composite view of health is required. This does not mean that the businessman has to be free of ailments. What is basically required is that he/she has to be physically able to work as well as run the business.  

Thus, we need to realise that health is important but the definition of health is equally important.