Learning From Show Biz
– Musings of Dr. Jamie Hsu, 7.31.2019
Recently, after watching a movie preview and a local musical production, several friends and I talked about the skills and teamwork required to put on a show. The discussion reminded me of the questions I ask my MBA students. What lessons can organization leaders learn from show business?
Here are some parallels in putting on a show and running a business:
- A great storyline and a show starter are a must. Similarly, a company needs unique technology or a distinct business model.
- A show needs a producer who appreciates the story and is willing to fund it. The equivalent in business would be the venture capitalist or IPO shareholders.
- A casting director helps find the most suitable actors. Similarly, a company’s HR department recruits the best talents to carry out the tasks on hand.
- Shows should have a target audience in mind and be tailored to their interests and level of appreciation. Likewise, businesses should know their intended market and customers.
- In addition to actors, there must be a strong technical team to take care of logistics, lighting, equipment, sound, and advertising. A behind-the-scenes support team is also essential for a business to run a smooth operation.
- To reduce fixed costs, a show might contract free agents, rather than hire permanent employees. Companies also need to minimize the fixed payroll.
- To have flexibility and to cover contingencies, a show has understudies for key actors and swing players to substitute for unexpected absences. Most companies also use contractors to cover for seasonal or demand changes.
- The most important lesson for business people to learn is this: When the curtain goes up, regardless of what has happened behind the scenes or what difficulties have been encountered, everyone should be ready and in position to play their roles.
Please take a look at your company, team, and organization. Do you have the essentials to put on a great show? Do you have a strong show starter and a solid plan to handle all possible glitches?
Wishing you the best, or as they say in show biz, “Break a Leg!”
從表演界中的學習
-作者 許俊宸博士
-中譯 薛乃綺
最近在觀看了電影預覽和當地舞台劇作品之後，我和幾個朋友談到了演出所需的技能以及有關團隊合作的議題。這個討論讓我想起我先前向MBA學生提出的幾個問題。那就是，組織的領導者可以從表演界學到什麼？
以下是演出與企業經營的一些共同之處：
- 精彩的故事情節與表演的核心重點是必須要的。同樣的，企業也需要獨特的技術或者是商業模式。
- 一個表演需要一位欣賞當中故事並且願意資助它的製片人。同樣的角色在企業中就是風險資本家或IPO股東。
- 選角導演則是幫忙找到最合適的演員。企業裡的人資部門也同樣地需要招募優秀人才來執行手上的工作。
- 表演應該考慮目標觀眾，並且根據他們的喜好和欣賞水準進行調整。企業也同樣需要了解它們的目標市場與客戶。
- 除了演員之外，還必須有一支強大的技術團隊來處理物流、燈光、設備、音響及廣宣。而幕後支援團隊對於企業營運的順暢也同樣至關重要。
- 為了降低固定成本，節目可能會與自由表演者簽訂合同，而非聘僱長期員工。企業也同樣需要將固定薪資最小化。
- 為了具備彈性以因應突發狀況，節目需要對於主要表演者或來賓臨時缺席進行替補。而大多數的公司也使用約聘者, 來因應季節性或需求的變化。
- 對於商務人士最重要的一環：當布幕拉開後，無論幕後發生什麼事情或遇到什麼困難，每個人都應該做好準備並且能夠發揮作用，及时上演。
請檢視你的企業、團隊及組織，是否已經準備好能夠上演一場好的劇目？是否有一個独特又吸引人的show starter；以及一個可靠的計畫來處理所有可能發生的障礙？
祝福大家！或者像他們在表演界所說的：”Break a Leg！(祝你好運)”
