The Great Wall Of China and Online business Today
Weird Fact 1: Sticky Rice Held the Wall Together
Modern Parallel in Online BusinessThe Great Wall’s use of sticky rice mortar to create a durable bond is a testament to the power of innovation in achieving long-lasting results. This same principle applies to modern online businesses: success comes from blending timeless business principles with cutting-edge technology, inspiring us to push the boundaries of what's possible in our strategies.
For example, while the basics like earning customer trust through honest communication and delivering real value never go out of style, it's the modern tools — AI-driven marketing, automation, and data analytics — that act as the “sticky rice” holding everything together. It’s this blend of old-school principles with new-school tech that makes your business flexible and tough enough to handle whatever the digital world throws at it. Just as the sticky rice mortar helped the Wall withstand centuries, combining foundational practices with innovative tools helps online businesses endure market shifts and technological disruptions.
Weird Fact 2: It’s a Graveyard for Workers
Modern Parallel in Online BusinessThe construction of the Great Wall came at a high human cost, serving as a stark reminder for modern online entrepreneurs. Burnout and overwork can jeopardize long-term success just as much as ancient projects did.
In today’s online business world, the constant push for rapid growth can quickly lead to burnout. When you’re running on empty, your mental health, creativity, and productivity all take a hit. Entrepreneurs who go full speed ahead without taking breaks or getting support often find their returns shrinking, not growing. The truth is, building a business isn’t a sprint — it’s a long, winding marathon. Taking care of yourself, delegating tasks, and maintaining a healthy work-life balance isn’t optional if you want to avoid collapsing along the way.
The real takeaway? If you want your business to survive and thrive, you need to look after yourself and your team. Effort may build the walls, but only sustainable practices keep them standing.
Weird Fact 3: The Wall Didn’t Always Work
Despite its imposing structure, the Great Wall of China couldn’t always keep invaders out — Genghis Khan famously bypassed it by exploiting weak spots and bribing guards. This highlights a critical lesson for modern online businesses: rigid defenses and strategies are vulnerable if you’re not adaptable.
Modern Parallel in Online BusinessDespite its imposing structure, the Great Wall of China couldn’t always keep invaders out — Genghis Khan famously bypassed it by exploiting weak spots and bribing guards. This highlights a critical lesson for modern online businesses: rigid defenses and strategies are vulnerable if you’re not adaptable.
In the digital marketplace, nothing is completely secure of foolproof. Competitors, sudden market shifts, and the introduction of new technologies can unravel even your most carefully planned strategies. But, by staying open minded you can flip these challenges to become opportunities. The key to success is staying flexible — always looking for weak spots, tweaking your approach, and staying one step ahead of potential disruptions.
The real lesson? Don’t rely on just one businesss strategy or defense, diversify for best results. Build a business that can pivot, shift gears, and roll with the punches. Success isn’t just about building strong walls; it’s about knowing how to adapt when someone finds a way around them.
Weird Fact 4: It’s Not One Wall
Modern Parallel in Online BusinessThis patchwork approach is a great reminder for anyone running an online business: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Relying on a single source of traffic, revenue, or marketing can leave you stranded when things inevitably change. But if you mix it up — try different platforms, create multiple income streams, and reach out in various ways — you create a safety net. This kind of variety helps keep your business afloat when unexpected challenges hit.
It’s simple: diversification keeps you flexible and strong. The more ways you have to support your business, the better it can handle whatever comes your way. Instead of betting everything on one approach, build a business that can thrive on many different fronts. That’s how you create something that lasts.
The lesson? Just as the fragmented Wall offered multiple layers of defense, diversifying your online business strategies has the same effect
By varying your marketing channels, product offerings, and revenue streams you can ensure long-term stability and adaptability. Build a business that thrives across multiple fronts, not just one.
Conclusion: Build Walls, But Don’t Box Yourself In
The Great Wall of China stands as a testament to human ingenuity, resilience, and the drive to protect and endure. Each weird fact about its construction offers a parallel for modern online businesses:
- Combine innovation with solid foundations like sticky rice mortar.
- Avoid burnout and remember the human cost of building.
- Stay adaptable when challenges bypass your defenses.
- Diversify your strategies to create a resilient, but, flexible structure.
Ultimately, the goal is to build smart “walls” that protect your business — but not walls so rigid they prevent growth and adaptability. Fortify your foundations, stay flexible, and let innovation flow. By doing so, your online business won’t just stand the test of time — it will thrive, evolve, and expand beyond limits.
Don’t just build walls. Build a legacy.
Recent Comments
19
I was just reading about the GWC. This is actually the 2nd one. The first one was only 8 feet tall and made from sticks in a lot of places.
Then upgraded.
The construction is amazing and the technique used for anything going into the water 💧 is amazing.
And yep, like the wall, your foundation has to be well planned and implemented.
And like the GWC…as you said… innovate.
Great post Catherine
Steve
Thanks steve i could have added rhat as the fufth weird pont. If at dirst you dont succeed build smoething else
Great analagy! In real estate it's, "location, location, location". In online markething it's, "diversify, diversify, diversify". But the most important is just don't quit! I love the great wall of China. I was there twice. Once in beautiful, sunny weather and the second time in what felt like a blizzard. It was equally stunning.
Veronica
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A wonderful post, Catherine. It is amazing what was achievable before the days of technology we now live with.
Valerie
Yes indeed Valerie
Hi Valerie,
I agree, and now we say our tech is indispensable. We circled the globe before any high tech.
If Columbus had navigation tech he probably would have ended up in 🇲🇳 Mongolia.. lol
Steve
Yes Steve, I agree with you about what Columbus missed... lol
Valerie
We did lots of ither things as well another example is inventing the wheel or building the pyramids
However if you believe the theory of lost civilizations that were as advanced or even more than we are now, then….
I do believe they ( science geeks. Hehe) have done studies that conclude modern day Iran was an old atomic blast…I.e. war. They did tests on an o skeletons that showed 2,000 times the normal radiation in the “old bones” and the desert was not natural etc etc. And don’t get me on to the pituitary 🦴 lol…Yup still got the insomnia bug.. wife v sick, bad cold or flu or something… I just got through it. 1 week very bad..
Take care
Actually, I do believe there have been lost civilizations and knowledge has been lost. There was a clock discovered in ancient Egypt it was solidified by heat, it was then carbon dated to be 11,00o BC . it didn't work but it had worked
Yes I do too