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The theme of this week’s Spark an Idea Thursday is Spark an Idea from the Movies
It’s Not Personal, It’s Business
One of my favorite movies is “You’ve Got Mail”. Needless to say, I cry at the end everytime. That being said, the movie is very interesting from a business standpoint. As a woman entrepreneur, it’s easy to let me feelings get in the way of doing business. As a solo-preneur, it’s all me out there in the world. Can you relate?
Here’s one of my favorite quotes from the movie:
‘It’s not personal, it’s business. It’s not personal it’s business.’ Recite that to yourself every time you feel you’re losing your nerve. I know you worry about being brave, this is your chance.
Ironically, this advice is given by one main character, Joe, to the other main character, Kathleen. It just so happens they dont’ know each other’s identity, and Joe’s advice to Kathleen is about putting up a fight against him and his business. Kathleen is defending her business from going under, and she’s not sure what to do.
When is business personal? Is that a bad thing?
I feel a couple different ways about business and personal mixing. On the one hand, I see the logic in not taking business decisions personally. If you’re running a small business, the whole point is to make money, or you shut the door – as did Kathleen. She didn’t make the money she needed to and had to close. Smart business decision.
On the other hand, the store had been her mother’s. She was flooded with memories of her mother in the store, and closing was very painful…. and personal. It was the right thing to do from a business standpoint, but not at all easy because it was very personal to her.
So, I wonder what you think? Is business personal?
Psst….. In case you haven’t seen the movie, here’s a little preview:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCetfaS7GAo[/youtube]
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I have found that business is best keeping a balance of personal (my ethics, morals, emotions) and wise business choices (the bottom line $$$, image, goal or mission of my business).
Understanding that this is very SHORT message……the further away that EMOTIONS are from making good, wise business decisions, the better!
Emotions do not equal personal
Great point! I once worked for someone who told me that you have to be one person in the office and someone else outside. I have a fundamental problem with that. Guiding principles wherever you are should be the same (in my humble opinion).
You wrote: “If you’re running a small business, the whole point is to make money, or you shut the door – as did Kathleen. She didn’t make the money she needed to and had to close. Smart business decision.” This is it in a nutshell. I see far too many business owners who are clearly not making money, yet continue to make poor business decisions. You can add a personal touch to business, but I agree with Joe – biz is biz!
Laurie Ayerss last blog post..Business Lessons from Because of Winn-Dixie
Excellent point!
Nice post! Yes, business is business! Sometimes easier said than done when you work from home – but it comes easier as you grow and learn.
Jenns last blog post..ROR Sitemap for http://www.boutiquebargains.com/
Ha, I had to stop reading part way through because there’s this part of me that’s sure I’m eventually going to watch that movie, and I don’t want to know what happens. It’s only – what? – like five or ten years old, but I still won’t look at “spoilers.” Pretty silly, huh?
lornadoones last blog post..What Movie Reminds You of Your Freelance Business?
Great post Brandie!
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Oh, I don’t give the ending away. So, go rent it!