During our adVenturesAcademy GrowthCamp Monthly Call this week, Founder Alissa Sears asked that each participant when introducing themselves and their business also share their favorite song or a song that lifts them up when things are challenging. An amazing phenomena happened…laughter, instant friendships – ‘you like ‘80’s music too?’, the jazz lovers realized their ‘songs’ were rhythms, and our keynote speaker and founding adVenturesAcademy Advisor Brad Barnhorn joked that he might need to change his career to become a DJ!
My philosophical mind and curiosity decided to take a deep dive into the intrinsic value that created such harmony and new tiers of comradery. It is pure rhythm, by dictionary definition in fine art, and I think every human endeavor is a form of art, states ”the proper relation of parts, producing a harmonious whole especially by repeating certain forms, colors, etc., from the Greek word meaning ‘to flow.’
Like music, there truly is a rhythm in business that builds a harmonious success. A passionate founder will create the tune for their endeavor. The management will establish systems to replicate and repeat the directed actions that ensure predictable results and products for the targeted audiences. The operations teams or manufacturers will form the system, manage the inventory, trouble shoot, oversee all the integral teams, to ensure timely fulfillment. Partners and service providers align the branding, messaging and story telling to create a flow from the founder to the eager audiences, who will be singing the brand’s song…all of which must resound with the brand’s target audiences and ecosystem to build loyalty and lasting success. There is a true business rhythm that creates the harmony that results in a brand success.
But what happens when there is no rhythm? What happens when there is no flow throughout the organization? What happens when your brand manager decides to change the company message and tune based on some ‘unevaluated bright idea’? What happens when your production partner cannot deliver on time? And worst of all, when the founder, due to overwhelm or distraction, forgets the original tune and rhythm for this endeavor? You would see discord, broken supply chains, misapplication of funds, diminished or no profits, and upset audiences who no longer sing your song and move to another brand.
All is not lost. Hold onto your tune. It is the origin of your concept, your dream, your creation. Surround yourself with those who can hear your rhythm and contribute to its flow, enhance its volume, build the audience who can hear your music. Stay true and keep singing!
When asked his favorite song, James VanBrocklin of Nutralink said he’s listening to a lot of ‘80s music lately, specifically Van Halen. Van Halen’s “Dreams” has some special lyrics to leave you with today.
“World turns black and white
Pictures in an empty room
Your love starts fallin’ down
Better change your tune
You reach for the golden ring
Reach for the sky
Baby just spread your wings”
When things get tough, take a minute, put on your favorite song, turn it up and dance. Reconnect with your magic.
We look forward to turning up the music and dancing with you!
– Gillian