We can learn so much about business from all around us. On Wednesday, I took my niece to NYC to see Green Day in concert - and there are so many business parallels that we can be applying to grow our business.
But first, let's rewind to 1994.
I first saw Green Day in concert at Woodstock in 1994. I saw some absolutely incredible bands at Woodstock, but the one I still talk about 27 years later is Green Day.
And here’s the thing… I’m not even that big a fan of their music. I like it just fine but it’s not something on my playlist.
So why do I tell everyone about that concert? Because it was such a fun and memorable experience.
Probably no surprise that my niece grew up loving Green Day and wanting to see them in concert. So I bought her tickets and planned a big adventure for her 16th bday (which was put on hold due to COVID).
This week she finally got to see them and she had the time of her life - pun intended :D.
And you know what? Their concert was just as fun and memorable 27 years later as it was the first time I saw them.
I have been to thousands of concerts and seen hundreds of bands play, and I have had fun at every one. But I have never seen someone command the stage the way that Green Day does.
And I have never seen a band get the entire crowd to jump, and dance, and sing as one in the way they do.
It’s fascinating to watch, and incredible to experience. Click on the image below to check out the short 41 second video I took to get a taste of what it was like.
And here’s where some of the business parallels come in…
The crowd of thousands weren’t doing what Billie Joe said because he told them to, they were doing it because Billie Joe told them to do what they already wanted to do.
They showed up to have fun. They wanted to “lose their fucking minds” (you'll know what that means if you watch the video) and Billie Joe and the band created an experience and an environment for them to do just that.
They didn’t have to force them or convince them to do anything, they invited them to do something that would lead to an experience or results they already wanted.
And if you’re thinking, yeah well they are a big successful band, of course the crowd is going to listen.
Back in 94, they weren’t. They were still fairly unknown. In fact, the crowd tried to boo them off the stage at Woodstock. They threw mud at them, and started the historic mud fight.
But they played their hearts out. They kept going, even when getting pelted in the face with mud. And you know what?
The entire crowd danced, and sang, and chanted, and moved as one - even the ones who tried to boo them off the stage. That was what made the experience so memorable to me.
So what is the Green Day Effect?
There are 4 key takeaways to me - maybe you see others.
1. Be memorable. Be the one people talk about.
You may be in a crowded industry (there are more and more coaches and consultants every day). You may not be as well known as others. But you know what? None of that matters.
You can still create a memorable experience that has people talking about YOU and recommending YOU and going out of their way to work with YOU because of the experiences you create and the results you deliver, which takes me takeaway #2.
2. Tap into what your target market wants.
What results do they want? What is the transformation they are going after? What feelings do they want to feel?
Ensure that your offers very clearly communicate what they want.
Then deliver both what they want as well as what they need for incredible results (because we all know that sometimes what people want is surface-level and the true transformation happens much deeper).
And go all in on your offer. Let them feel how committed you are to their results and success (and if you aren't - move on and find an offer you do feel that committed to).
3. Don't force. Don't convince. Invite.
Can we all agree that forcing and convincing is not something we ever do?
When you're really tapped into what your target market wants, and you create offers that deliver real results, and you are giving it your all and people can feel your commitment to getting them results, all it takes is an invitation.
All you're doing is inviting them to something they already want. And that is how you create a movement.
And finally...
4. Keep going.
Even when it feels like mud is being thrown in your face or like you're being booed off the stage, keep going.
You never know who you're inspiring and who's lives you are impacting. Sometimes the only people who are vocal are the trolls and the ones showing up just to throw mud. Meanwhile you are changing lives of people you don't even know are watching.
Keep showing up. Keep giving it your all. Keep loving what you do. And the right clients will be going out of their way to work with you and telling everyone about you.
My niece, my sister, and I at the concert
by Crista Grasso
Crista Grasso is the go-to strategic planning expert for leading global businesses and online entrepreneurs when they want to scale. Known as the "Business Optimizer", Crista has the ability to quickly cut through noise and focus on optimizing the core things that will make the biggest impact to scale a business simply and sustainably. She specializes in helping businesses gain clarity on the most important things that will drive maximum value for their clients and maximum profits for their business. She is the creator of the Lean Out Method, 90 Day Lean Out Planner, and host of the Lean Out Your Business Podcast.
