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.

REPOST: iPad + Lego + stage magic = brilliance

The creative applications of stage magic can lead to amazing results that wow audiences—and work well as advertisements for new products. Michelle Starr of CNET.com reports on German stage magician Simon Pierro, who uses iPads in a promotional trick for the LEGO Group.

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 German stage magician Simon Pierro has made something of a name for himself as the "iPad magician" -- using an iPad tablet to perform sleight-of-hand that is pretty amazing -- even watching it on YouTube. However he does it, it's certainly very clever.

Thematically, it goes hand-in-hand with Lego Fusion -- a strange hybrid of building with Lego bricks and playing a game on the iPad, once you have scanned your creations into the app. So Pierro, at the behest of Lego, will be making appearances in Lego stores, working his iPad magic -- with Lego bricks.

"What do you get when you cross Lego bricks, an iPad, and a magician? Cool magic!" Lego wrote. "Watch internationally famous magician Simon Pierro as he puts Lego bricks into his iPad and then pours them back out again."

This is just the first of a series of Lego iPad magic videos from Pierro. If you know how he does it, keep it to yourself: it's much more fun to wonder.  

Businessman Carl Rheuban is also an avid practitioner of stage magic. Visit this page for more on his passions.

Carl Rheuban has been a Life Member of the Magic Castle for over 40 years.

The Magic Castle is both a building and a membership club in Hollywood, California that is devoted to the art and craft of magic as an entertainment vehicle.  Only members and their guests are allowed to enter this castle-like structure.  Inside you will find a Victorian décor.  Lots of velvet, torches and secret passageways add to the fun.  Bars and restaurants are in the castle as are many performance venues.  While there are many levels of membership, Magician Members are actively practicing their craft as a hobby or a career.  Every night that the Castle is open, you can watch members give performances.  The castle is actually organized around a non-profit academy devoted to the advancement of magic.  

 

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To become a magician member, a person needs to apply, pay a membership fee and be able to demonstrate a knowledge of magic and perform an audition in front of an interview committee.  Carl Rheuban, who has practiced magic for 60 years, became a life member over 40 years ago. Since Rheuban specializes in close-up and parlor effects with coins and cards, he fits well into the Castle venue.  In fact, the structure contains venues specifically for close-up and parlor tricks.

 

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One effect that Carl Rheuban likes to perform is one that he has up on YouTube, in which he changes five $1 bills into five $100 bills before your eyes.  He notes that viewers love this trick, wishing they could make it work for them when money is tight.  

 

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In addition, to receiving privileges to visit the Castle, members can bring guests and can access one of the world’s most extensive libraries on magic and related areas.  

If you ever have the opportunity to visit the Magic Castle, make sure you do so.  It is an experience you will not forget.