passion and belief, the driving force behind successful business
I just watched “Peter Jones meets…” I have been working flat out for the last few weeks and took some time today to catch up on some of the television I had been recording. I won’t get in to telling you about the dramas I watch and giving away any plot spoilers on your favourite soap. I haven’t caught up on them (yet) as I was glued to Peter Jones documentary anyway.
In the opening sequence Peter Jones, an entrepreneur, Dragon and business man of a high caliber explains that big business is tough. Being such a well respected business man he certainly knows what he is talking about.
“There are certain factors that give us all a fighting chance of turning our dreams of success into reality” Peter Jones
I’m interested to see what those factors are and if they can relate not only to those with big ideas and dreams but also those in any business working through these much talked about “tough times”. It’s very apparent to me through the whole program that there are a few things that have fueled the success of the two entrepreneurs featured.
Michael Acton Smith is CEO, Creative Director and founder of kids entertainment company Mind Candy – the driving force behind global kids phenomenon Moshi Monsters.
Laura Tenison MBE, founder and Managing Director, JoJo Maman Bébé, a UK-based multi-channel maternity wear and baby clothing retailer.
What stood out for me most is there belief in what they are doing, the passion they have for their business and the environment they create for people to work in and be as passionate as they are.
Belief
Even when at their lowest point, about to loose everything the belief in the fact that they will be successful can not be faltered. It is this belief that drives them forward and builds amazing successful businesses.
It’s not just self belief either, it is about doing things a little differently and being rewarded by amazing results.
“Business is always seen grey and boring but business is a canvas that you can paint on where you take ideas in your head and put them out in the market place” Michael Acton Smith – Mind Candy
Michael creates B-HAG’s – Big Hairy Audacious Goals and believes that he can be successful. Everyone in the business believes in the B-HAG’s too.
Passion
With all the temptations to play at Moshi Monsters HQ you can clearly see how passionate Michael Acton-Smith is about his business. Having worked on several failed businesses and lost his investors large sums of money he is still as passionate about making the business a success as he has ever been. Which just shows that the investors are investing in him and his passion.
The same with Laura Tenison, she is all about creating an amazing working environment for everyone to be as passionate about her business as she is. It works. Everyone buys into the business and engages with being successful. Laura explains that she spends a lot of time working with the team to find out what makes them tic and then helping them achieve job satisfaction. Even when Peter Jones tackles her on the way to run a large successful business and she explains that the proof is in the figures.
“If people are happy in their work they naturally want to do a good job” Laura Tenison, JoJo Maman Bébé
So, mixing multi million pound businesses with fun and creativity seems to be working for the two featured in this program. When people are happy and enjoying themselves at work they bring their whole self to work and will get as passionate as you are about being part of the success story as you are.
What are you doing to engage with your business to create Passion and Belief and write the Success Story? What are your Big Hairy Audacious Goals?
