US$125.84 billion and growing Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in 1975. Since then, it has grown to become a global giant with sales of US$125.86 billion and a net profit of US$39.24 billion in 2019. It is, by any measure, an amazing story, but do you know how this story began? Many people […]

US$125.84 billion and growing Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Microsoft in 1975. Since then, it has grown to become a global giant with sales of US$125.86 billion and a net profit of US$39.24 billion in 2019. It is, by any measure, an amazing story, but do you know how this story began? Many people think they do. I have heard several versions of the story myself, some of which are described in detail in books about Microsoft and Bill Gates. There are also many stories about the beginning of Apple, Google, Amazon and other great businesses. The fact is, people love stories. How many people have seen the documentary on the history of McDonalds – millions?Borrowing from the history of a business will not in itself represent a unique selling proposition. Still, it can most certainly support a unique selling proposition. Consider, for example, Harrods – a retailer with…