The Art of Storytelling

"Business storytelling is the exchange of events in images, sounds and words, most of the time by an embellishment or improvisation. Narratives or stories have been shared in every race and culture as a means of education, entertainment, and cultural preservation; in other to instill moral values. Crucial elements of stories and storytelling include narrative point of view, characters and plot.

The earliest forms of storytelling were said to have been primarily oral combined with expressions and gestures. Traditionally, oral stories were committed to ones memory and then passed from one generation to another. It has been said that oral storytelling remains the dominant medium of learning with low literacy rates."

“Storytelling has been around for thousands of years, and it's arguably your most powerful (and least used) tool for sharing information, building community, capturing the imagination, and exerting influence. By telling the right kinds of stories, we can bring about profound change, says Annette Simmons, author of The Story Factor: Secrets of Influence from the Art of Storytelling”.

The significant event discussed is the use of web video as a tool for sharing innovation and ideas. The speaker built trust and rapport by using relevant examples of web video innovations that include dance and other business that included entertainment, such as dances and   shared knowledge through his speech. Ted discusses web video use as the proverbial “light show your stuff to the world” to reach the masses.

Furthermore, Ted references web video phenomenon as means of accelerating innovation in order to reach a broad audience because it can be easily shared. It is as simple as a point and click. It is because web video is applicable to all industries. This advanced technology allows the rest of the world to see innovation(s). 

 This speech discussed has helped me develop a deeper understanding of the topic presented that TED ideas are worth spreading. Moreover, technology evolution has advanced in the way that businesses exchange information and has gone from traditional medium to something more advanced to reach a global audience. 

References

Sweeney, T., & Hochgraf, L. (2000). GETTING IT DONE. Credit Union Management, 23(5), 6.

Terez, T. (2002). The Business of Storytelling. Workforce, 81(5), 22.

Careers In The Music Industry

If you are a music lover, you know that you want a career in the music industry and just do not know exactly what you want to do. There are lots of different career jobs in the music business, and just because you love music doesn’t mean that the music career you choose will turn into a dream job. My top three musical career interests are: a music promoter, music manager and music agent.

            My interests as a concert promoter are because I love and enjoy live music. The main job of a music promoter, usually simply called a promoter, is to publicize a concert. Promoting shows are exciting, fast-paced and lots of fun. I enjoy publicizing a show or concert because they are the ones in charge of making sure the word get out. Promoters also are the ones in charge of booking the venue and artist, negotiating deals with bands or agents on dates for the show and provide accommodations. They also promote the upcoming show to the local press and radio, print flyers, put up posters and email their mailing lists.

             A music manager is my second career interest in the music industry because I love and enjoying interacting with different artist. The music manager (aka the Artist Manager, Band Manager, Talent Manager, Personal Manager and Band Manager) has the most interaction with the artist and is the most important person in the artist’s musical career. They are involved in planning, coordinating and organizing the career of the artist. They are involved in counseling, and advising the artist on all matters related to their musical careers. The personal manager should research the music industry and know all about record labels, publishing companies, producers, booking agents, promoters, publicist, stylist, photographers, recording engineers, graphic designers, video directors, music licensees, etc., and how they integrate themselves into the overall career plan. The more contact the music manager has, the more effective they will be at their job.  

             A music agent is my third and last choice as musical career interest because they are they are the ones who make the live music happen. A music agent is also known as a talent agent, simply agent or booking agent. They are also responsible for negotiations with promoters and venues when it comes to arrangements for things like backline and accommodations and to the pay of performances. In addition, they arrange contracts with promoters regarding pay, rider, guest list, and equipment. The most common arrangement between a band and an agent is for the agent to get between 10% and 15% of the money paid to a band for a gig, though 18% or even 20% is not entirely unheard of. For this reason, it is obviously in the best interest of an agent to get the most money possible for a band from a promoter - the more money the band makes, the more money the agent makes.

             If you are a music lover, you know that you want a career in the music industry and just do not know what you want to do. There are lots of different career jobs in the music business, and just because you love music doesn’t mean that the music career you choose will turn into a dream job. My top three musical career interests are: concert promoter, music manager and music agent.

References

http://www.artistmanagementresource.com/music-manager-roles.html

http://musicians.about.com/od/otherindustrycareers/p/musicagent.htm

http://musicians.about.com/od/otherindustrycareers/p/Promoter.htm

Experts View: Turning My Dream Into Reality

It wasn’t up until week 4 of my Business Development Plan class that I realize that a business plan is very important to both potential business owners and investors. A business plan can successfully guide you through your journey. I have been following some of the top Band Managers in the music industry today to help encourage me to turn my dream into reality. However, I fully understand that I need to keep learning and it doesn’t stop with my college background. This is something that I have learned not only from my industry experts Guy Kawasaki and Jeffery A. Timmons, but also from Jayson Whitmore, a former Full Sail University student.

I have learned and understand that in order to be successful that you must know your market or competitors. I have learned and found possible companies that could potentially pose a threat as possible competitors after I decided to research and learn more about my current market. However, both Guy Kawasaki and Jeffery A. Timmons would be competitors to one and another if they were in the same market, but since they are in different market, they are both very successful in their chosen field.  I am aware that there are many band managers in my area and in order for me to be successful that I must bring creativity and uniqueness to the industry. In addition, I understand that I must prepare myself to be ready to conduct research on my target market.   

In conclusion, since I started my business from ground up, I have learned that this is not an easy task and understand that I have a long way to go and road ahead of me. Nevertheless, I need to develop a business plan that will grasp the attention of investors so that they will be willing to lend money to help me turn my dream into reality since it does take money to make money: quote on quote. I believe every section included in the business plan holds as much importance to one and another. However, I believe the sections of my plan that is most important to investors reading my plan are:

·               Executive Summary

·               Management Team

·               Business Model

·               Product

However, along with all the key components that an investor will look for, I believe creativity, uniqueness, passion and determination to be my strengths. This will show potential investors that I’m serious about my work and making sure that my business has longevity.

Reference:

Full Sail University. (2011). Jayson Whitmore: BPD Business Plan Video. In Full Sail Online. Retrieved December 18, 2011  
http://course.online.fullsail.edu/index.cfm?fuseaction=lms.activitiesDISCUSSION&activityId=555241&deliveryId=1121980

Jeffery A. Timmons (2011). How to Raise Capital.

Retrieved December 18, 2011

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/How-Raise-Capital/Jeffrey-A-Timmons/Q6381855?id=5225926089545

Jeffery A. Timmons (2011) Retrieved December 18, 2011

http://ecorner.stanford.edu/author/jeffrey_a_timmons

Guy Kawasaki (2011) Retrieved December 18, 2011

http://www.guykawasaki.com/about/

Business Plan 101

The key to a successful business is a well-put together business plan. Any one who has a vision and dream of starting a business will need a well-written and thought out business plan. There are several experts, business owners and entrepreneurs who have mastered the field of writing and reviewing business plans. The graduate program at Full Sail University encourages their students in the position to be able to develop a successful business plan of their own. In this month’s Business Development Plan class, we are encourage to focus on two individuals who are experts in the field of writing and/or reviewing business plans.

I have great interest in the artist management, graphic design and event planning industry. There are several experts who inspire me to become a successful owner in those fields. Guy Kawasaki and Jeffery A. Timmons are the two successful experts who know what it takes to achieve long-term success.

Guy Kawasaki was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1954. Dr. Kawasaki grew up in a rough neighborhood called Kalihi Valley. Guy Kawasaki graduated from Stanford University in 1976 with a major in psychology. After Stanford University, Mr. Kawasaki attended the UCLA MBA Program. While attending UCLA, Dr. Kawasaki got his first job at a fine-jewelry manufacturer called Nova Stylings. It was there that he learned how to count diamonds and how to sell.

Jeffery A. Timmons was born in Pontiac, Michigan. Dr. Timmons graduated from Colgate University. He also earned a MBA and DBA at Harvard Business School. Dr. Timmons is also famous all over the world for his innovative curriculum development, teaching in entrepreneurship and research. Dr. Timmons has been involved in the field of entrepreneurship for almost thirty years. His involvement has been either direct or an advisor in private investment funds and companies. He provided entrepreneurs with tools so that they can raise funds or obtain venture capital investors.

I have learned so much from Dr. Guy Kawasaki and Dr. Jeffery A. Timmons. They have the knowledge and experience in the field of writing and/or reviewing business plans. Both experts motivate me in various ways to make sure that my business plan is well put together. They mastered their plan and made sure that key components were there to carry out their business plan.

What are the critical & key components that investors are looking for in a plan?

There are four areas that are strongly looked at d by investors when evaluating a business plan. The critical and key components that investors are looking for within a business plan are:

• The Executive Summary
• Management Team
• Business Model
• Product

Why are these considered key?

A business plan should possess those four components (The Executive Summary, Management Team, Business Model and Product) in order to get the attention of investors. However, starting a business first before seeking capital from investors is also a key component that investors look for. Investors will assume that you do not need their capital and would make them want to dish out money to the business.

In conclusion, I have learned more than enough from my education and work experiences that it is not always as easy as it seems. I understand that it will take hard work and dedication to develop a strong business plan, but it can be accomplished. Along with a strong business plan, you should have faith and believe in yourself. That will also determine the success of your business plan.

References:

http://www.guykawasaki.com/about/

http://www.openforum.com/connectodex/how-to-change-the-world

http://ecorner.stanford.edu/author/jeffrey_a_timmons

http://www.booksamillion.com/p/How-Raise-Capital/Jeffrey-A-Timmons/Q6381855?id=5225926089545

http://finance2business.com/business-articles/the-components-of-a-business-plan/

Event Planning 101

When it comes to event planning or planning the perfect event, it takes time, hard work, negotiating skills, lots of hassles. There are several tools that you can utilize when planning an event. The three most effective ways are by email marketing, event marketing and social media marketing.

An event planner or a promoter can use email marketing as way a of planning an event or planning the perfect event. Email marketing is a process of direct marketing that allows electronic mail as a way of communicating commercially or delivering messages to the targeted audience. In a similar way to traditional direct mail, can be used to send promotions, direct messages, and information to prospects or members in mailing lists. Furthermore, StrongMail’s 2009 Marketing Outlook survey have found that only 37% of those polled expect to see a decrease in sales in 2009 because of current economic conditions (recession). “It’s telling that in this in this tough economic climate, a majority of marketers are actually planning to increase their spend on email marketing”.

Furthermore, another way of planning the perfect event is by event marketing. Event marketing is the activity of creating a themed activity. It is one of the fastest and growing fields in advertising and marketing today. You see it everywhere you look in today’s society. Event marketing is also referred to as event creation. It is one of the most effective ways to develop great a relationship with your targeted audience with teenagers and young adults.

In addition, event marketing is the use of social medial in order to increase the visibility of a business. However, social media marketing will help you get the attention of a broader audience. It is being referred to as the word-of-mouth for the digital age. The most popular sites are Facebook, YouTube, MySpace and Twitter. Social medial marketing allows you to generate a stronger and powerful media buzz. An event planner can also use social media in a way of connecting with their targeted audience and get followers to follow them. It also allows them to brand and promote their own businesses as well.

            In conclusion, when it comes to event planning or planning the right event, it takes time, hard work, negotiating skills and lots of hassles. However, there are several tools that you can utilize when planning an event or planning the perfect event.

References:

http://search.constantcontact.com/event-marketing/index.jsp

http://search.constantcontact.com/email-marketing/index.jsp

http://www.businesswire.com/news/google/20081215005420/en

Managers And The Roles They Play

           One who has career interest in the entertainment industry as a business manager or self managed artist, can and often research the different types of music managers in the entertainment and the role they play in the careers of recording artists and record producers. Managers also play a big role and invest lots of time sin the life and careers of songwriters and musicians. However, there are basically six types of music managers in the music entertainment industry. Those six different types of managers are business managers, music managers, road managers, tour managers, production manager and technical manager.

            The music managers are also known or referred to as personal managers, artist managers, band managers or talent managers. Nevertheless, the music managers or artist managers have the most interaction with the artist and are always the most important people in the artist’s personal life and musical career. They are involved in organizing the career of the artist, coordinating for the artist and as well as planning for the artist.

            According to Ogden (2002), "In my opinion, the greatest challenge facing artist managers in the current business climate is to develop long-term careers for their artists in an industry that is looking for a quick fix to its problems, such as piracy and other forms of entertainment. Consolidation has killed off artist development and left the industry completely reliant on radio and television, rather than creating a relationship between artist and audience” (¶ 38).

It is important to understand the methods and roles of successful music managers when planning is being proposed. The planning must be clear and precise. The audience must be well defined and the purpose should not be vague or complex. These elements are also effective in the entertainment and music industry, as efficiency and easily understood communication makes everything smoother for all involved.

References

Managers Worldwide Confront Common Concerns. (2002). Billboard, 114(38), 44.

Tolkoff, E. (2003). Personal Managers: TO SIGN OR NOT TO SIGN. Back Stage, 44(11), 28.

Taylor, C. (2003). Artist Management: When?. Canadian Musician, 25(5), 62.

http://www.artistmanagementresource.com/music-manager-roles.html

Industry Expert And Entertainment Attorney, David Bercuson

As a business owner and artist manager in the entertainment industry today, I find it necessary that I focus on my business plan directly. I have been encouraged to focus on developing relationships and networking experiences in the entertainment industry and business community. I have conducted a face-to-face interview with Mr. David Bercuson, an expert attorney who has established his career by dedicating his life and practice to all aspects of the entertainment industry.

During the face-to-face interview, I posed several questions to him regarding his practice and expertise in the entertainment industry today. I used question/ answer format to conduct the interview with Mr. Bercuson.

How did you get started as an attorney in the entertainment industry?

I graduated and received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Tulane University in 1968 and Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida School of Law in 1971. I got started in my career when I opened my own practice “Law Offices Of David Bercuson, P.A.”. My practice offers services in all aspects of the entertainment industry. We offer services in representing television producers, entertainment executives, music publishers, managers, composers, record labels and recording artists.

What is your area of practice and specialties?

My area of practice is in representing entertainers, music, television and film. I’m in charged of handling the day-to-day business and legal affairs for television networks, major record companies as well as independent labels. I am an adjunction professor at the University of Miami School of Law. I have been teaching at the University of Miami in the Litigation Skills program for more than twenty years. I am also an instructor on entertainment contracts at Florida International University. Some of my specialties are in domestic and foreign licensing and getting deals for major and independent artists.  

Can you name some of the clients that you have represented and still representing today?

Some of the recording artists that I represent are Alabina, Black Violin, Bayside Boys (Macarena), Carlos Olivia y Los Sobrinos del Juez Flo Rida, Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine, Grupo Niche, Jason Derulo, Julio Inglesias, KC & The Sunshine Band, Ky-mani Marley, Luis Fonsi, Mary Wilson (The Supreme), Nayer, Nestor Torres, Trina, Scott Stapp of Creed and Tommy James.

In addition, I also represent major record labels such as Atlantic Recording Corporation, Biscayne Europa Records, Inc., G89 Music, Harrick Music, Henry Stone Music, Inc., Iconz Music, International Music Group (IMG), Jackpot Management, Poe Boy Records, Slip ‘n Slide Enterprises, Inc. and Strong Arm Management.

In conclusion, if you are in the industry and interested in seeking an entertainment attorney, I would recommend that you contact Law Offices Of David Bercuson, P.A. in Miami, Florida.

Reference:

www.bercusonlaw.com