Tricks required: Business lessons from magic

Magic tends to fall under the realm of entertainment, thus it can be quite a surprise when some people associate it with business management. But as Eran Yaniv, CEO of startup firm Perfecto Mobile stressed in his article for Entrepreneur.com, there are business lessons that can be learned from doing magic. And he should know; Mr. Yaniv worked as a magician prior to becoming chief executive.

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Alex Stone, author of “Fooling Houdini” would agree, too. As he explained in this FastCompany.com article, “Creativity is about questioning assumptions. … Every kind of creative endeavor is a sort of magic trick."

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So what tricks do magicians have up their sleeves that carry valuable lessons for the business community? As those familiar with the art can attest, magicians need to keep reinventing their performance in order to stay ahead of the competition. The same is true in business; companies need to constantly innovate to keep their competitors guessing.

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Reinvention also keeps a magician’s audience interested. In business, innovation keeps products and services relevant to customers and clients. And keeping the audience engaged, as any magician knows, is the most essential part of the act. A magician cannot truly claim success if his audience is not captivated by his tricks. Success, too, isn’t genuine for companies that do not attract loyal patrons or returning clients.

With the sleight of hand, magicians can create spellbinding moments. Business leaders can take their cue from these enchanting performers; those who can create a “wow” moment for stakeholders, clients, and customers know that they have made a difference.  

A member of the Academy of Magical Arts and Sciences and the International Brotherhood of Magicians, business executive Carl Rheuban performs magic tricks before intimate and big crowds during his spare time. Follow this Twitter account for related links on the world of magic.