In the end, it may be that most companies have naturally short life spans and recognizing that life span and getting out before it's over is a rare but crucial talent (one Lasky clearly didn't have).
If Lasky would have gotten out earlier, he would have stood to profit. 
mnli hypothesis: If Lasky would have gotten out earlier, he would have stood to profit.  premise: In the end, it may be that most companies have naturally short life spans and recognizing that life span and getting out before it's over is a rare but crucial talent (one Lasky clearly didn't have).