Let’s Stop, Look, and Listen to the Business Lessons
we learn from the Movies…
We receive lessons in the most unique places. Believe it or not, the movies provide wonderful business lessons for us! I enjoy noticing lessons which share what to do, or what not to do, as I find both are of equal value!
What can the movie, “A League of Their Own” (1992) teach us about business?
Some of this classic movie’s characters are on the side image: Dottie (a great player and a pretty good looker too!), Jimmy Dugan (drunken team manager), Mae (a sultry player with nothing but moxie), Kit (kid sister living in the shadow of Dottie, but is a great player onto herself), and Doris (tough little 3rd base player). The movie is about the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL), which was created by the Major Baseball League, during WWII, to keep baseball fans revenues coming in “while the boys are away at war”.
The movie is about the recruitment of the main characters and then the beginning of the AAGPBL’s first season with all it’s trial, tribulations, and successes. Each of the main characters significantly grows as a team and individually. Great organizational or team development lessons are exhibited in this movie that goes against all odds! (No spoilers here folks.)
A League of Their Own BUSINESS STRATEGY #1
INNOVATION/CREATIVITY: Generate more revenue with new offerings
Imagine for a moment… your key players, matter in fact just about your whole workforce is being sent out of the country. As an employer, what would you do? The Major Baseball League had a brilliant idea – just like manufacturers of the time: women as a workforce! Today, this doesn’t seem so innovative; however, back in the day it surely was!!! Look for what the Peach’s Catcher did to bring a buzz to the whole league – I tip my hat to her for her creative flare 🙂
Sometimes innovation relates to talent (baseball players), your product or services (cute and eye-catching uniforms), other times it relates to your processes (the difference of how to teach, treat, and motivate women vs. men ball players).
The league, could and should have treated their women players differently, but didn’t, until a White Knight appeared and saved them from such disregard. What are you disregarding in your business? What needs a tweaking, a release, a revamp? What new ways can you better serve your customers? Listen to what they are saying and you will have your first clue 🙂
A League of Their Own BUSINESS STRATEGY #2
POOR BEHAVIOR: Everyone notices it and you must manage it appropriately
There is a scene where the team manager disagrees with the umpire- gee, surprise! Anyway he behaves poorly (yes, I know this isn’t surprising either) and everyone wants him ejected from the game. What is amazing about this is his players are guiding him off the field and to the locker room as he is being ejected.
Why is this an important strategy? Everyone notices poor behavior and doesn’t tolerate it any longer. As a manager or owner, you need to make sure you are appropriate addressing poor behavior and allowing it not to continue or take anchor within your business. Do a quick assessment now: starting with yourself, then each of your team members. Are you behaving appropriately as (a) a professional, (b) the customer’s expectation, and (c) the culture the business has created for all to favorably experience?
A League of Their Own BUSINESS STRATEGY#3
BUILD YOUR WEAKEST LINK: You are only as strong as your weakest link
Brought to you by:
The Business Rescue Coach, Maggie Mongan
of Brilliant Breakthroughs, Inc.
www.BrilliantBreakthroughs.com
