THE SCARECROW EFFECT

Over the years, I have met many people, many of whom are very successful, who lack self-confidence and self-esteem because they do not have a college degree.

I call this the Scarecrow Effect. You remember the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz. He felt he was not smart. He even sang a song called, “If I only had a brain.”

As the movie progresses the Wizard gives the Scarecrow a rolled up diploma and he beams with pride. Changed by a simple piece of paper.

Truth is that over my nearly 45 years of growing Proforma no one has ever asked me if I graduated from college. No one has ever asked about my grades in school. No one cares. Bottom line, success in business isn’t about your degree from any college. It’s about your degree of vision, confidence and hustle. That’s the only degree that matters.

I know lots of folks with several diplomas from some top ranked schools who are not very successful.

You are in the business world now. Your past is passed. Including whatever degrees and diplomas you have or don’t have. Put all that stuff behind you and look forward with a brilliant vision, unwavering confidence and relentless hustle. These are the factors that will determine your degree of success.

About The Author

Greg Muzzillo started Proforma as an industry distributor in 1978. The company grew quickly and in the early 1980s Proforma was recognized for three consecutive years on Inc. magazine’s list of the 500 fastest-growing companies in North America. In the late 1980’s Proforma introduced its membership program to empower distributors to retain their business ownership and independence, and to share in sales and marketing resources, purchasing power with industry suppliers, one back office including all billing, accounting, vendor payments, cash flow, computer systems and more. Today Proforma has over 600 Members and is the $500 Million leader in the Promotional Products and Print Industry. Proforma’s record breaking success includes having 18 of its Affiliates named to Inc. Magazine’s 2020 list of the 5,000 fastest-growing companies and 193 Affiliates achieving its Million/Multi-Million Dollar Club with sales up to $38 million.