Kung Fu Panda: Brilliant Breakthroughs Inc. Business Movie Review

What can the movie, “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) teach us about business?

This 2008 movie is the first of the all the Kung Fu Panda movies. It was an award winning blockbuster for a reason… it’s a common story line, but is created with inspiration that touches the heart of any viewer! Po, our beloved Kung Fu Panda, transforms from lazy to legendary right before your eyes in the most innocent manner.

“Kung Fu Panda” BUSINESS STRATEGY #1
ENTHUSIASM: Allow it to carry you

Po, the legendary Kung Fu Panda in the making, is enthused with his vision to be one of the legendary Kung Fu heroes… some day! What he doesn’t realize is how that enthusiasm actually carried him to the point of being publicly chosen for such a role.

Do you have thoughts which get you all jazzed up or enthused? What do you do when you have them? Do you write them down, take action, or just do mental gymnastics with these wonderful gifts to help you soar to a new level?

“Kung Fu Panda” BUSINESS STRATEGY #2
PERCEPTION: Your marketplace must believe you have the “secret sauce”

There is a lesson that Kung Fu Panda learns: “To make something special, you just have to believe it is special”. So often we allow ourselves to get psyched out by our own perception. Worse yet, we allow the perception of others to rule us. As Po learns, we must follow our own path.

When was the last time you allowed the perception of others to dictate your life or business direction? Now, keep in mind that I am not referencing “Know thy Customer – and deliver what they want” here, you should know by now that will never change More so, I invite you to ponder how you can help your marketplace perceive it is you who has the “special sauce” they seek.

“Kung Fu Panda” BUSINESS STRATEGY#3
GRATEFULNESS: Give your contributors an appropriate expression of appreciation

When Po was in training to become a Kung Fu Master, he learned that he was not able to fulfill his destiny until he would release the “illusion of control”. In other words, he had to accept there may be things he didn’t know and it would benefit him to trust, listen up, and consider applying new and different wisdom. Of course the result supported his success and he expressed his appreciation for all this assistance.

Have you appropriately expressed your appreciation for the benefits you have received from your customers, suppliers, mentors, friends, and family members this past year? If not, perhaps it is a good time of the year to reflect and consider a meaningful and appropriate manner to do this. If time is too short to do this effectively in December, than do so in January.

NOTE: If you are trying to find some great movies to watch during the Holidays, look at the right hand column on this site and click on the category titled “Movie Reviews”. There are 40+ movies (of all sorts) to scout out!