July 10 is another of the official days worldwide to celebrate the Beatles.
The reason is that on July 10, 1964 the band returned triumphantly to their native Liverpool to be honored after conquering the United States market.
the Beatlesthe most successful and iconic English rock band of all time, debuted for the first time on the radio, 1962, more than 60 years ago with the song ‘Love me do’. Today, more than four decades after the Liverpool Quartet split up, their legacy lives on not only in music, but also in the archives of 20th century history.
And it is that beyond the numerous records they hold, including the 27 songs that they managed to place at number one on the popularity charts (in the United States and the United Kingdom) and the billion albums sold, The Beatles became in the emblem of a generation and the way of thinking of an era.
Achieving this success required much more than just talent; she required a business vision and a detailed Positioning strategy . Therefore, we present some lessons that the group made up of John, George, Paul and Ringo give to anyone who wants to turn a product into a resounding success:
1. Build a brand
In the 1960s there were numerous -high quality- rock groups, including The Who, The Animals, Simon & Garfunkel and of course, The Rolling Stones. The Beatles understood that to differentiate themselves it was not enough to have good songs, they needed something more. For this reason, The Beatles (with the help of Brian Epstein) developed a novel style of dressing, combing and acting on stage and later also thinking by becoming preachers of peace and defenders of the environment. Ultimately, they built one of the most valuable brands of the last century.
In addition, another of the reasons that have made The Beatles a legend are all the stories that surround the group, especially the one referring to the supposed death of the real Paul McCartney and the hidden lyrics of his songs. Today “the geniuses of Liverpool” are not only synonymous with good music, but with a style of life and thought that marked an entire generation and continues to influence subsequent ones.
Lesson: It is not enough to have a good product, you need to create a competitive advantage that differentiates you from others.
2. Don’t stop innovating
Reviewing The Beatles’ music through time is like taking a walk through numerous musical genres and styles ranging from ballads to psychedelic rock. Between each album, the sound proposal is totally different, which is also perceptible on their covers, and which denote the constant search for perfection and more complex rhythms.
Lesson: Innovation is what makes the leader. It is not enough to create a winning formula (The Beatles established the musical order that a song must follow to be a hit); a true leader knows how to reinvent himself and adapt to the times to stay ahead, despite the fact that not all his strategies -or products- achieve the same success.
3. Choose your partners well
The association of The Beatles was not made out of friendly relations (although McCartney and Harrison were friends since before they played together). The four members learned to play their instruments separately and with private bands until, little by little, they replaced their original members. Being a Beatle was a matter of merit and the band stuck together as long as it made sense and all four members shared the same vision.
Lesson: When starting a company with a partner, look for a person who has complementary characteristics and skills to yours. They don’t need to be your friend, just an entrepreneur who shares your vision but probably doesn’t share your style or personality.
The history of The Beatles changed when they traveled to India encouraged by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. It was during their time in the Asian subcontinent that they wrote some of their most famous songs but also when they “found themselves”. They were no longer just musicians, they were also promoters of peace and they demonstrated it in some songs (All You Need Is Love and Let it Be for example). Even Harrison was recognized for his work in favor of Bangladesh, while Lennon became one of the great critics of the Vietnam War.
Lesson: Success is not only about generating profits or benefits for oneself; a successful businessman is one who acts in favor of his society and the planet in which he lives. To achieve respect and a good public perception, you must have and comply with a social responsibility plan.
5. Get advice from the best
The success of The Beatles would not have been the same without the encouragement of their manager Brian Epstein (who discovered their talent and was also in charge of designing their image, far removed from Elvis-style leather jackets) and their producer, the experienced George Martin, who took them out of the Liverpool bars and onto the world stage.
Lesson: A business leader knows that, despite his experience, the advice of people outside his company is invaluable. Surround yourself with a good team of advisors, counselors and experts who will help you overcome difficulties and enhance your skills.
6. Break schemes
The Beatles broke the status quo of music and the artistic environment in several ways. They introduced new rhythms, atypical instruments and carried out various experiments in their music and in their performances. Perhaps one of the greatest examples was the recording of his hit All You Need Is Love, which, in addition to being live, was the first global satellite television broadcast. But they were also original and authentic people, which they demonstrated in the numerous interviews they did where they always showed their rebellious and non-conformist personality.
Lesson: Nothing is written, not even in the business environment. The businessmen, musicians and artists who have broken the rules are the most remembered and those who transcend. Don’t just copy winning strategies, rather create your own.
7. Don’t give up
Even The Beatles tasted failure. The Liverpool band experienced rejection from major British record labels until Brian Epstein managed to get Parlophone, a small subsidiary of EMI Records, to agree to audition the group.
Lesson: If you have a product or service that you really believe in, don’t give up. If your idea is good, sooner or later you will find the support to make it come true. A true entrepreneur is persevering and learns to overcome obstacles.
8. Passion
The Beatles were true music lovers. Throughout their career, they were willing to learn to play different musical instruments and try different sounds. They were all composers and creators; everyone sang, chanted and played. For example, Paul started out playing the guitar, but in the absence of a bassist he learned to play the bass; John learned to play the piano and became a prodigy on it, while George introduced the sitar.
Lesson: Undoubtedly, the greatest key to success -in any discipline- lies in the vocation and passion for what is done. It is only with this passion that an entrepreneur wants to learn, transform and reinvent himself. And it is also only with passion that one manages to transcend time.