The One Thing That Builds A Big Company

Summary

The script showcases how vision, storytelling, and a strong company culture can drive business success. By using tools like a 'Can You Imagine?' wall, the speaker illustrates how clear, bold goals—such as being featured on Oprah or having a quote on a Starbucks cup—can inspire a team to believe in the impossible. The emphasis is on the power of vision-driven leadership, creating an environment where employees feel part of something bigger. With persistence, belief, and collective effort, the team turns these ambitious goals into reality, demonstrating how culture and vision fuel growth and success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vision is the foundation of everything. Without a clear vision, progress becomes uncertain. A vivid, shared vision drives teams forward and gives purpose to daily actions.
• 😀 Storytelling is a powerful tool for creating company culture. Integrating stories into the workspace can help employees connect with the company's mission and values.
• 😀 The 'painted picture' technique is a practical way to visualize success. By articulating bold goals, a leader can inspire belief and determination among the team, even when the path is unclear.
• 😀 Empower employees to dream big. When team members are allowed to envision big goals, their enthusiasm and engagement can drive the company toward those goals.
• 😀 A strong company culture is built on trust and shared values. Creating walls that display these stories and goals engages everyone and reinforces the commitment to those values.
• 😀 Persistence is key. Achieving seemingly impossible goals requires determination, blind faith, and continual effort, even when others doubt your vision.
• 😀 The power of positive language: using phrases like 'we will be' rather than 'we hope to be' turns dreams into inevitable outcomes that people can rally behind.
• 😀 Bold goals should not be seen as out of reach. Even large-scale aspirations, such as being featured on a national platform or getting recognition from high-profile figures, can be achieved with enough belief and action.
• 😀 Leadership is about encouraging others to see the possibilities, even when you don’t immediately have a solution. Supporting and enabling your team to act on ideas creates a culture of innovation and success.
• 😀 Celebrating milestones, big or small, is important for maintaining momentum. Recognizing achievements along the way builds confidence and motivates the team to keep pushing towards even bigger goals.

Q & A

What is the significance of the 'Can You Imagine' wall in a company?

The 'Can You Imagine' wall serves as a visual tool to inspire employees by displaying big, seemingly impossible goals. It encourages a culture of dreaming big and aligns the team around shared ambitions, helping to create a sense of possibility and collective purpose.

How did the concept of the 'painted picture' help Brian Scudamore's business?

The 'painted picture' was a vivid document that outlined the company's future goals in specific terms. By sharing this vision with the team, Scudamore was able to inspire belief and commitment to achieving the outlined objectives, helping the company reach milestones such as being in the top 30 metros in North America.

What role did leadership play in achieving seemingly impossible goals?

Leadership was key in guiding the company toward big goals by creating and sharing a clear vision. Brian Scudamore's ability to inspire the team and communicate the company's objectives played a critical role in motivating the team to push boundaries and persist through challenges.

Why is it important for leaders to encourage their team's ideas, even when those ideas seem improbable?

Leaders must encourage their team's ideas because fostering belief and ownership in these ideas leads to innovation and collaboration. Even if the ideas seem unlikely to succeed, supporting them can result in unexpected opportunities, as seen when the team managed to get a quote on a Starbucks cup despite initial doubts.

What did Brian Scudamore's experience teach him about setting big goals?

Brian Scudamore's experience taught him that setting big, bold goals can drive a company forward. By aiming for seemingly unattainable goals, like being featured on Oprah, he was able to inspire his team to think creatively and take actions that eventually made those goals a reality.

How did the team’s belief in the company’s vision contribute to its success?

The team's belief in the company's vision played a vital role in achieving success. Those who embraced the 'painted picture' and believed in the big goals stayed with the company, contributing their passion and dedication to the collective effort, while those who didn’t believe in the vision eventually left.

How did the process of getting a quote on a Starbucks cup unfold?

The process began when the marketing manager, Andrea Baxter, pitched the idea of having a quote on a Starbucks cup. Despite initial skepticism, her belief in the idea led her to contact Starbucks, eventually securing a deal to feature a quote from Brian Scudamore on 10 million cups.

Why does Brian Scudamore mention the importance of sharing goals and celebrating achievements?

Brian Scudamore emphasizes that sharing goals and celebrating achievements, such as by marking them with a green check mark on the wall, reinforces the company’s collective vision. It keeps the team motivated and demonstrates that big goals are achievable when everyone works together.

What is the significance of the company's painted picture being shared and revisited regularly?

The painted picture's regular sharing and revisiting is essential for keeping the team aligned and focused on long-term goals. It serves as a constant reminder of the company's vision, ensuring that everyone stays motivated and accountable for achieving those shared objectives.

How did the pandemic play a role in achieving the goal of being featured on the Ellen DeGeneres Show?

During the pandemic, one of the employees, Nadine, revisited the idea of being on the Ellen DeGeneres Show, which had been a long-standing goal. Her persistence, combined with a timely connection when a producer from Ellen’s show had a positive experience with the company's service, eventually led to being featured on the show.