Business Movie Review: Home Alone (first movie)

What can the movie, “Home Alone” (1990) teach us about business?

This classic Christmas Movie is simple:

The main character Kevin, is a little guy who tends to get lost in the family shuffle. Kevin becomes frustrated and wishes he didn’t have a family… and through a strange chain of events, his wish is granted! He is left home alone, during Christmas while his whole family vacations in France. Imagine how mortified his mother is when she realizes she left her little tike home, alone, for the Holidays!

The plot thickens when a two bumbling thieves  “the Wet Bandits” try to break-in and rob Kevin’s Kingdom. Three cheers to the ingenuity of youth (and good movie writers)! No spoilers here other than the movie ends on several good notes of success 🙂

Home Alone’s BUSINESS STRATEGY #1
FLEXIBILITY: Plan, Take Action, Adjust, Now Repeat!

The “Wet Bandits” are the two burglars, who I believe”steal” the show 🙂 Watching them was fascinating. They created a plan and continued to adjust until they accomplished their goal. Have you been flexible enough in your planning to accommodate unexpected events?

Home Alone’s BUSINESS STRATEGY #2
PERSEVERANCE: Merging Right Thought and Right Action to Accomplish a Goal

This was all over the movie!  The mother, who regardless of the obstacles to overcome, exhibited sheer determination to get back to her son. Kevin, ready to take on the bad guys with every possible tool available to him. The Wet Bandits, having the tenacity to break into this home – regardless of the consequences! What is it that requires you, your team, or your business to be more tenacious?

Home Alone’s BUSINESS STRATEGY#3
ACKNOWLEDGMENT:  Simple, Yet So Powerful!
Kevin’s statement while hiding under the bed at the beginning of the movie, “This is ridiculous … only a whimp would hide under a bed!” Is a far cry from his exceptional performance of ingenuity and guardianship to become the family’s hero. Heroes emerge in business everyday. Regardless of what it is, who they are, if they are internal or external heroes, do you take time to acknowledge their outstanding accomplishments? When you are a customer, do you acknowledge good service?

Next Review: It’s another surprise for the holidays (and before the holidays too)!

Brought to you by:
The Business Rescue Coach, Maggie Mongan
of Brilliant Breakthroughs, Inc.
www.BrilliantBreakthroughs.com