4 things MacGyver taught me about business
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Anyone who remembers television from the 1980s and 1990s surely recalls MacGyver, the intrepid adventurer who used ingenuity and everyday items to escape dangerous situations. I have gleaned what wisdom I could from him:
1. Always carry duct tape
Duct tape is the fix-all material. From taping broken pipes to restraining terrorists, duct tape is a crucial part of MacGyver’s arsenal. An entrepreneur should have a similar resource, whether it be an indispensable employee, or a good relationship with outside contractors.
2. Know your Swiss Army Knife
MacGyver used his his Swiss Army Knife as an all-purpose tool, from cutting ropes to drilling holes. However, had he mistakenly used the corkscrew when he really needed the tiny scissors, he would have died. An entrepreneur’s Swiss Army Knife is that one tool that is useful if the knowledge is there, but deadly if mistakenly used. Know the pros and cons of your tools and methods, lest you die a premature a business death.
3. Brute force is often overcome by ingenuity and mobility
MacGyver took on scores of armed men with little more than his brain and some random material. He found ways to work around the bad guys’ strengths. A business competing against a larger opponent should practice this type of guerilla action. This is why niche marketing is one of the most successful business models on the Web.
4. A jack-of-all-trades is always in demand
Most people, when asked what they do for a living, have a specific answer. Some will be teachers, some will be electricians, and so on. MacGyver could never be classified, and this was his strength. Everyone knows that one guy that knows something about everything. Stay on good terms with him. He may not be able to tell you everything about a subject, but he can at least set you on the right course.