By Larry Chiang
I just saw Avengers a second time. It’s similar to my habit of rewatching a movie or re-reading a book.
I always get something more out of the second viewing. Or 13th re-reading if you’re talking about my mentors book: “What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School”. Here is what I pattern recognized from the Avengers movie that can be pattern replicated for entrepreneurship success.
-1- Be a Technical Co-Founder
If you are co-founding the Avengers, more tech competance is better. Both the hulk and ironman are tech co-founders. Dr Brenner, aka the Hulk, is a gamma radiation expert.
Tony Stark, aka Ironman read up on “Anti electron control” which is a paper Dr Brenner wrote. The other founders didn’t read their briefing because they are technically incompetent
-2- Kiss Butt by Reading and Regurgitating
Within two seconds of Ironman meeting Hulk, Tony Stark was quoting Dr Brenner back to The Hulk. When Scarlet Johansen, aka Black Widow and Avengers co-founder asked Tony Stark, “How did you get to be a anti electron expert?!”
Tony replied: “I read Dr Brenner. Didn’t everyone else read their packet??”
-3- Always Be Recruiting.
Recruiting Hulk was first and foremost on Tony Stark’s agenda. Ironman said, “The Top 10 floors of my new building are R and D. You should join!!”
Tony Stark was slow to recruit Thor because God-like co-founders aren’t a sweet spot.
-4- Be OK with Being Beta Male
Tony Stark didn’t lead the Avengers. Captain America did. According to the business case studies Ironman and Ironman II, Tony Stark has never been a beta male.
Tony Stark isnt even in a beta role to Nick Fury. He even makes fun of Nick Fury, head of S.H.I.E.L.D. for having only one eye.
But in military team leadership scenarios, Tony Stark; Scarlett Johansen, spy and counter interrogation expert Black Widow; and The Archer all deferred to the ranking military officer: Captain America.
-5- Opportunity in Bad Luck
Tony Stark views Hulk’s ‘Bad luck’ = “Terrible privilege”. Tony likens his iron filings in his body as a terrible privilege as he encourages the Dr Brenner to do the same with his alter ego HULK
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**************** Editor of the BusinessWeek Channel “What They Don’t Teach at Business School” http://whattheydontteachyouatstanfordbusinessschool.com/blog CNN Video Channel: http://ireport.cnn.com/people/larrychiang
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Author, NY Times Bestseller http://whattheydontteachyouatstanfordbusinessschool.com/blog/?s=Ny+times+bestseller
“What They Will NEVER Teach You at Stanford Business School” comes out 11-11-12
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Larry speaks on stuff they don't teach in B-school to help you get street smart in doing business. In college, he started a business that helps college students with their FICO score. He loves entrepreneurs, Ben and Jerry's ice cream and after parties. You can reach him at:
