As a small business owner, it can be tough to stay focused on the key areas needed to grow your company. There’s so much to do, and it’s easy to get distracted by the little things instead of keeping your eye on the prize. That’s why I’ve started using music, specifically Notorious B.I.G. songs, to help me concentrate on the fundamentals of my business strategy.
First, let’s talk about connecting with people. As Biggie says in “Juicy,” “It was all a dream, I used to read Word Up magazine, Salt-N-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine.” When starting my business, I dreamed about providing top-notch service to customers like the artists I idolized. But dreams don’t become reality without relationships. I had to network and build rapport with potential clients and partners. Music, especially classics by Biggie Smalls, keeps me focused on being charismatic and likeable in business dealings the way charismatic musicians attract fans.
Next up, processes. “Super Nintendo, Sega Genesis, when I was dead broke man I couldn’t picture this,” Biggie raps in “Juicy.” When launching a company, you need processes for everything from sales to operations. It’s easy to get overwhelmed thinking about creating so many procedures. But I stay the course by playing Biggie songs where he brags about the success he achieved coming from humble beginnings. If Biggie could go from broke to Billboard, I can build the processes needed to grow my small business.
Finally, there’s technology. As Biggie says on “Ten Crack Commandments,” “Follow these rules and you’ll have mad bread to break up.” technology makes scaling a small business much easier today. But choosing and implementing the right tech can be challenging. When tackling a new software rollout, I listen to Biggie’s technical mastery on tracks like “Ten Crack Commandments” for inspiration on getting the project done right. Focusing on his attention to detail helps me apply technology in an effective way.
So there you have it — three key small business areas where I use music, and Notorious B.I.G. in particular, to help me stay focused and motivated. Connecting with people, building processes, and implementing technology are all essential for growth and success. By keeping Biggie’s rhymes in my headphones, I prime myself to do the necessary work of building my company rather than getting sidetracked. Try it for yourself and see if letting the smooth rhythms and smart lyrics of rap classics enhance your concentration on the fundamentals of business.
