Eight Business Principles From Carpool Karaoke
Josef Adalian recently wrote: How James Cordon Got Adele to Do ‘Carpool Karaoke’ as a backstory for Vulture. If you have not seen this delightfully entertaining video, check it out here:
You’ll be surprised how many business principles you can draw from Josef Adalian’s article as he takes a peek behind the curtain at the preparation that went into Carpool Karaoke with Adele. Business pointers are sprinkled throughout the article. Let’s dig into the principles James Corden and Adele have applied and determine how we can improve our own life habits and business models.
- Take Initiative.
The French writer Victor Hugo described “initiative” as doing the right thing without being told. To take initiative means to make things happen. People who make things happen are people who are dauntless. They fear nothing. They are optimistic. They believe opportunity will yield positive results. They are also solution spotters, shooing away problematic areas with brilliant fixes. They know and understand their core competence. When James Corden started Carpool Karaoke, he had no idea the impact or influence of his short video segment.
- Honor Your Word.
Your word is your bond. Author Frank Sonnenberg advocates that “Every time you give your word, you’re putting your honor on the line. You’re implying that others can place their trust in you because you value integrity and would never let them down. It goes without saying that if you don’t live up to your word, you may end up tarnishing your credibility, damaging your relationships, and defaming your reputation.”
- Your conscience can be your greatest enemy once you fail in this area. As Theodore Roosevelt said, “I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do. That is character!”
- Adele’s manager, Jonathan Dickins, remembered his promise and kept his word.
- The opposite of honor is dishonor. Beware the shadows of disgrace. When your word is your bond, life is easier.
- Love What You Do.
Passion is what makes work not work. No less than the passionate prince of Silicon Valley, Steve Jobs, declared to Stanford graduates: “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” When you love what you do, you are motivated to aim high and shoot for the stars.
- Love is a sense of stick-to-itiveness especially when a crisis comes along. No backing out, just pausing and searching out a better solution. No breakout, but believing in a breakthrough.
- Loving what you do matters … both in good times and in challenging times.
- Cast A Vision.
Visionaries are the voice of the future. Visionaries see the realities of tomorrow.
- Suffice it to say that a vision statement is described as an aspirational description of what an organization would like to achieve or accomplish.
- The prophet Hosea was explicit in exclaiming that “people perish for the lack of vision.” A startup will only be a start if a vision is not cast. Therefore, cast a vision on how you want things to unfold.
- Some simple c’s to consider as you cast a vision:
- Be clear. A clear vision is mandatory. As the visionary, you must clearly articulate your mind.
- Be concrete. Speak an understandable lingo. One that your workers can feel, touch, and take part in.
- Be concise. Less is more. Be brief and straight to the main point.
- Be compelling. It should rally the people to act.
- Enjoy Your Turf.
Enjoyment can lead to personal or corporate breakthroughs. “Joy hacks” nowadays sell like hotcakes, especially if you are a millennial. Thirty-one-year-old Japanese Marie Kondo, is on her way to become the millennial Martha Stewart as the domestic diva. Ever since she was 5, she enjoyed tidying up. She claims her cleaning revolution is like a therapy that spills out from inside.
- She recently launched her second book entitled “Spark Joy.” In tidying up, her strategy is to touch things. As you touch an object, does it spark joy? If not, then part with it. Makes super sense, doesn’t it?
- Present The Best. Then, Outdo Your Best.
The best is yet to come. Yes, every presentation should be the best for your market or audience, and it should be better than the last. So the next one should be better than the best. By pushing the boundaries of improvement, you will leave your audience wanting more.
- This is the principle of outdoing an outcome. To outdo your own performance is to keep improving — to keep growing. Don’t stop at a brilliant accomplishment. Start another opportunity and unleash an ever-growing vision for your audience.
- Capitalize on the Pareto Principle
The Italian economist’s Pareto’s principle is a brilliant reminder to concentrate on investing 80 percent of our
Leveraging 80/20 time and energy on the 20 percent of work that’s really valuable. It’s not just the “work hard” and “work smart” that matters, but moreso, to work smart on the right things.
- Check your staffing. You’ll realize that maybe only 20% are doing 80% of the work.
- Did you notice how many of the 50 songs Adele wrote made it onto her album? 10! (20% *50)
- Dave Lavinsky wrote this in Forbes Magazine, “If you can figure out which 20% of your time produces 80% of your business’ results, you can spend more time on those activities and less time on others. Likewise, by identifying the characteristics of the top 20% of your customers (who represent 80% of your sales), you can find more customers like them and dramatically grow your sales and profits.
- Speak and think highly of your clients/guests
Recognize the value your clients offer you and your business. Satisfy these folks by knowing and meeting their needs. Reward their loyalty. Crown them with special treatment. Give them high regards. Provide for their demands in an exceptional way and your business will boom.
Apply these principles and you will reap treasure from your labor.
The future is brighter than you think!
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