If we learn anything from reality television, it is you need to be firm in your beliefs but open to feedback. Lacking a core constitution is a death sentence – no one wants to hire or invest in someone who has no conviction. At the same time, inflexibility condemns many more candidates to the no […]
It’s an age old business adage – if you don’t change with the times, you get left behind. In today’s interconnected global economy, it happens faster than ever. While in graduate school, I worked at Borders Books and Music, which fell victim to an inability to sense the trend of internet sales. Kodak initially developed […]
It happens all too often to those on business reality television. It might be the bright lights, the star power across from them, or the gravity of the moment. But no matter the cause, the loss of confidence during a pitch has doomed many people on Dragons’ Den or Shark Tank.
This post continues our Lessons from Business Reality TV series. Click here for the entire series.
Like all reality television, business reality shows are built on drama. Many of these programs focus on helping failing and struggling business turn their operations around, usually with a heavy dose of “tough love.” For example:
It’s always the most dramatic moment in a pitch on Shark Tank. The entrepreneur has done a great job talking about his revolutionary new product and how it will take the world by storm. Then one of the business heavyweights asks the critical question: “What are your numbers?” <Crickets.>
I have a problem. I am addicted to business reality television. You can keep the Bachelor and The Voice. Instead, I am drawn to the real-life struggles and lessons from shows like Shark Tank, The Profit, Undercover Boss, Bar Rescue, and more.