Who you gonna call?
Would the Ghostbusters come to mind if you needed tips on business strategy and had just that ‘one’ phone call?
I’m going to say, No, they wouldn’t. But why not? Was 1984’s Ghostbusters not the story of a young group seeing a shared vision and starting a new business? We see them develop an idea, market, set up a head office, and run day-to-day tasks. Ghosts aside, I think their ghost-busting was a pretty successful business from which we could all learn many lessons.
But before that, let me refresh your memory (the movie is almost four decades old, after all!)
This 1984 classic is a supernatural comedy film directed by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. The movie follows the adventures of four eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. The team includes Peter Venkman (Bill Murray), Ray Stantz (Dan Aykroyd), Egon Spengler (Harold Ramis), and Winston Zeddemore (Ernie Hudson). Together, they embark on a mission to save the city from a supernatural threat.
And in doing so, they teach us all these business lessons.
1. Entrepreneurship and Risk-Taking
Entrepreneurship is a key lesson from the movie. Peter Venkman, Ray Stantz, and Egon Spangler start their own business in a niche market where no one else is competing. They have found the blue seas, the dream for any startup founder. They had a unique idea, developed a business plan, and then turned it into reality.
Understanding the value of your product or service is critical in finding that niche, just like Ghostbusters did. They discovered that the Ghosts were the real problem and created a service around solving it. This was Blue Seas, Green Fields, an utterly new niche and market that had never really existed before outside of church blessings, exorcisms, and poltergeist removals. They were open to new opportunities and moved forward with a plan and collective vision.
Ghostbusters is also a movie about risk-taking. The team of Ghostbusters takes a big risk by starting their own business, but they believe in themselves and their abilities. They are willing to take a chance and pursue their dreams, even if it means facing uncertainty and the possibility of failure.
In the world of tech and business, entrepreneurship and risk-taking are essential. Starting a new business or launching a new product is always a risk, but companies willing to take those risks often succeed. Entrepreneurs are the driving force behind innovation and progress, and they are essential for the growth and success of any industry.
2. Marketing and Branding
What else is a crucial element for any business? Branding and marketing! And the Ghostbusters excel at it. Just think about what those three people came up with. They had a Logo—an iconic one at that, for it has stood the test of time; a catchy name; and their fantastic commercial with the great catchphrase, “Who you gonna call?” All of this helped attract customers’ attention and build brand awareness. Why else would they advertise their brand and name on their vehicle, the Ecto-1?
The team of Ghostbusters creates a strong brand identity for their business, complete with a memorable logo and catchy slogan. They use creative marketing techniques to promote their business and build a loyal customer base.
We see within the Ghostbusters commercial that they mention, “We’re ready to believe you” This shows they know their target customer and what positioning they need to take with them. Many people will choose a great customer experience over a competitor at an equal or even higher price. Ghostbusters are willing to go above and beyond to help their customers; they offer free consultations and a money-back guarantee. Peter, Ray, and Egon understand that customers are the lifeline of their business, and they do what they can to ensure the job is done and their customers are satisfied.
The movie’s central premise is them going above and beyond to help customers, from the weird phenomenon in the apartment to saving the world by crossing the streams and covering New York in Marshmallow fluff.
In the tech and business world, marketing and branding are also essential. Companies that have a strong brand identity and effective marketing strategies are often the ones that succeed. A strong brand can help a company stand out from the competition, and effective marketing techniques can help a company reach its target audience and build a loyal customer base.
3. Collaboration and Teamwork
How do successful businesses grow? Through great teamwork and communication. We see this constantly throughout the movie. Peter, Ray, and Egon work together seamlessly; each knows what skills they excel at and work to their strengths. They rely on each other to complete the job and can deliver more value as a team than they could on their own. It does take a team to raise a business.
In the world of tech and business, collaboration and teamwork are also essential. No one person can do everything on their own, and companies that promote collaboration and teamwork are often the most successful. When everyone works together towards a common goal, the results can be truly impressive.
4. Innovation and Creativity
Another critical aspect of business that we learned from The Ghostbusters is innovation and creativity. They work on the bleeding edge of technology in their space, the Ghost containment field. They design and build equipment from scratch and use their science and engineering knowledge to solve complex problems.
While it’s all science fiction, we can understand how this applies to any business. Companies that innovate and develop creative solutions to problems often succeed in the long run. Whether developing new products or services or finding new and better ways of doing things, innovation and creativity are vital to staying ahead of the competition. Even in a saturated market, you need to be innovative in your approach to business, your products or services, or how you market. This is what contributes to differentiating you from your competitors.
5. Crisis Management and Problem-solving
Throughout the movie, the team faces numerous challenges and obstacles, all of which are the first times they’ve encountered those problems. The team of Ghostbusters faces a major crisis when a powerful supernatural force threatens to destroy the city. They must work together to devise a solution to the problem, using their science and engineering knowledge to develop a plan of action.
Crisis management and problem-solving are also essential in the tech and business world. Companies will inevitably face crises and problems, and it is vital to have a team capable of handling these situations. Practical problem-solving skills can help a company overcome obstacles and achieve its goals. You also need creative solutions when selling a new product to a client or figuring out how to stop an Ancient Sumerian God named Gozer the Gozerian. Without this attribute and culture within your business, you will surely fail to stop the giant 100-foot marshmallow man bearing down on you to destroy everything you’ve created.
Key Takeaways
Ghostbusters is a movie that has stood the test of time for a reason. The story of four misfits who come together to start a ghost-catching business and save the world from a supernatural threat has captured the hearts of audiences for decades.
The movie highlights the importance of
- Entrepreneurship and Risk-taking
- Marketing and Branding
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Innovation and Creativity
- Crisis Management and Problem-solving
These themes are essential for success in the modern business world. Companies that embrace these values are often the ones that succeed in the long run.
In Conclusion
From the importance of innovation and collaboration to the value of risk-taking, marketing, and problem-solving, Ghostbusters’ journey shows us that success is often found in pushing the boundaries and daring to be different. By taking these lessons to heart and applying them to your business strategy, you can unlock the growth potential and achieve your goals.
Whether you are an entrepreneur just starting or an established business looking to shake things up, the lessons from Ghostbusters can provide a roadmap to success. By embracing the spirit of the Ghostbusters and staying true to your values, you can overcome obstacles, inspire your team, and achieve greatness. So go ahead, bust some ghosts, and chase your dreams!
