The world is still coming to terms with Michael Jackson`s death. Personally, I still can`t believe he`s gone.

You see, I grew up on Michael Jackson and can remember spending countless hours trying to perfect his Moonwalk.

(The only time I even came close to getting it right was a few years ago, when I ran out of steam on a moving treadmill. For a split second it looked like I was doing the Moonwalk - an illusion quickly shattered when I fell of the treadmill and ended up on my back, on the floor.)

Whether you`re a fan of his music or not, there`s no denying that Michael Jackson had a big influence on popular culture. And for a time, he was the best in his field.

So today, let`s take a quick look at Michael Jackson`s entrepreneurial characteristics:

Continuous Improvement - From the young age of 5, Michael Jackson spent countless hours practising and perfecting his singing and dance routines. A habit he maintained for most of his life.

As entrepreneurs, we must also commit to constant learning and continuously improve our knowledge and skill set so that we can perform better in our chosen markets. We live in a world that is in constant flux - where everything is either growing or shrinking, expanding or contracting.

It is impossible to handle a level success greater than our level of growth. And the more we learn, the more we grow.

Vision - Through his work, Michael Jackson displayed the entrepreneur characteristic of vision. As a creative artist, Michael Jackson gave life to his visions.

Every major achievement in history has been achieved by visionaries - people who lived in a world that was, but saw a world that could be. And when you think about it, entrepreneurs are visionaries and creative artists too. We take ideas from our mind and bring them into reality.

Back when everyone thought such an idea was impossible, the Wright Brothers had visions of man being able to fly. Now not a day goes by without us seeing an aircraft in the sky.

Which proves that "whatever the mind can conceive can be achieved"

Innovation - There is no doubt that Michael Jackson was an innovator. He learnt from the greats of his time -- James Brown, Elvis, etc. He fused Funk, Soul and Rock and created his own sound, style and moves. Think back to the `white glove`, the `Moonwalk` and the `Thriller` Zombie video.

Yep - Michael Jackson was BAD!

As business owners, it`s important we develop this entrepreneur characteristic. Because contrary to common belief, you don`t always have to come up with something totally originally to succeed as an entrepreneur. Sometimes, all you need do is improve something that already exists, then repackage and reposition it.

Dell didn`t create new computers - they just gave the market the chance to build computers to individual specification.

Uniqueness - From a very young age, Michael Jackson was positioned as talented, unique and the best amongst his peers. Many other artists were inspired by him - but every few dared to compete against him.

This entrepreneur characteristic is essential to your business success. Especially if you are the brand. For example, there are many talk show products on the market. But there is only one Oprah Winfrey. And right now, no one can directly compete with her.

As entrepreneurs, we need to constantly review our unique selling points. And pay close attention to what our competition is doing. Because that`s how we favourably position ourselves within our market.

Value Focus - We`ve all seen images of people crying and fainting at Michael Jackson concerts. That`s how much his fans (= customers) loved and appreciated Michael Jackson`s product. And his 1982 album `Thriller` is still the best selling album of all time.

And even after all the controversy that surrounded him, Michael Jackson still had so many loyal fans that within hours of announcing 50 dates at the London O2 Arena, all tickets where sold out.

Talk about customer loyalty!

The entrepreneur characteristic of focusing on customer needs and giving them value is essential to your business success. Because value and service are the foundation of any successful business. In fact, I`d even go as far as to say that it`s a prerequisite for any business.

Nowadays, customers have so many options to choose from. So if your service or product does not meet their expectations, they`ll go elsewhere. But the truth is, most customers want to be loyal. Too many options lead to information overload and confusion. And they pray that you can give them what they want, so they can enter into a long term, mutually beneficial relationship with you.

Nike and Harley Davidson have loyal customers. And so can you.

Think of your customer, think of `Thriller`, think of Michael Jackson.

RIP Michael Jackson (1958 - 2009)

What other entrepreneur characteristics did Michael Jackson display?

I think Michael was a master of building long term solid relationships.  Many people do not realize how many charities he donated to and how many "non-famous" people he connected with to help him carry out his work as a philanderer.  As an entrepreneur, it`s important to give and he demonstrated that better than anyone else.  It`s documented in the Guinness Book of World Records.  His music transcended relationships--this guy had prisoners mimic his work by doing a dance in unison!  That is powerful. 

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To learn more about Seth, please send all comments to http://setpacenow.blogspot.com or view the website http://www.homebasedbusinessuniversity.net/

Let`s keep in mind that Joe Jackson, the family father was the one who created the band, pushed everyone, did the marketing, and had the entrepreneurial skills. As the kids went out on their own, they were already big enough that they could hire excellent management companies.

While Michael Jackson was a musical genius, I don`t believe he was an entrepreneur.


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Craig Landes
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Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don`t." - Unknown

International Society of Curmudgeons

The ability to think outside of the box. In his case it worked. I agree with craig on this one his father seemed to have guts of steel, and raw ambition that launched his sons career.

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Is the barometric chamber part of that?  Bubbles the chimp?

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

His death was marketing genius. A couple of weeks ago, nobody gave a damn about his music. Now everyone in the world is a self professed lifelong fan, and his sales have increased by some insane figures upwards of 700%. Did every Thriller album come packaged with rose colored glasses?

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Making limitless possibilities much more limited.

So what marketing company came up with the idea, and how did they convince Jackson to die?

Oh....wait...! I`ll bet it`s like the Elvis campaign and Michael Jackson isn`t really dead!


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Craig Landes
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Defining the undefinable. "There are 10 kinds of people in the world---those who understand binary numbers and those who don`t." - Unknown

International Society of Curmudgeons