How (Not) to Run a Business the George Bluth Way
Arrested Development is an American television sitcom that originally aired from 2003 - 2006.
Fans of the show will remember enjoying the exploits of the wealthy Bluths; a hapless dysfunctional family whose patriarch, the irascible George Bluth, ends up in prison for embezzlement in the pilot episode.
I discovered the show when I found the box set of DVDs in a charity shop around three years ago and promptly devoured all three seasons.
Recently, I started going through them again and found my self honking with laughter.
It occurred to me this time around that it was no wonder that the family managed to lose all their money, as they are totally unguided by any principles that would help. Instead, they are motivated by self-interest, greed, and ego. They are lazy and clueless.
But they are fun to watch.
Lessons to be Learned From Your Favourite TV Shows
Story is, arguably, the best medium for persuasion. Smart marketers know this. There are many great stories on our screens that offer essential lessons for life, and business.
However, in 'Arrested Development' a good rule to follow when watching this show is to do the opposite of the characters. Despite being very wealthy and running a huge company, each of the characters lacks fundamental business sense.
I thought I would compile a list of some of the errors the characters make on a regular basis and show what to do instead.
9 Common Business Mistakes and How to Learn From Them
Trying to Be the Nice Guy All the Time
The main character Michael is ostensibly the one keeping it all together.
Michael does what he thinks is expected of him: shows up, keeps his nose clean. Now, these are noble attributes, but his motivation is approval from his father. Like a good little employee seeking a pat on the head from the boss.
Michael never gets the recognition he craves, and neither will you if you follow this example.
He revels in his role of ‘nice guy’ while his family are greedy and grabbing. But time and again he’s the one enabling the bad behaviour.
In the pilot episode, Michael plans to quit his job, leaving the family to sort out their own mess. Only then do they realise they need him and show him respect.
Unfortunately, he slips back into the dysfunction. And lucky for us, otherwise it would have been a very short series!
Lesson:
Instead of being driven by praise and validation from your boss (or client), concentrate on delivering a good service. Instead of trying to be Mr Goody-two-shoes, think for yourself and others will respect you.
2. Marketing an Inferior Product.
The Bluth company builds shoddily made mini-mansions and, in fact, they live in the model home on a building plot. At the beginning of the first episode, Michael and his son George Michael live in the attic so that potential customers can still come and view it. There are even fake fruit and a plastic turkey on the table.
The building is sub-standard and bits keep breaking off. In Series Three the foundations give way. The home is a metaphor for the family: it looks good from the outside, but it’s really falling apart.
Lesson:
If you haven’t made the effort to build your business up from a solid foundation the chances are even if it looks good for a while, cracks will eventually show. Better to ensure you have a great product or service first before you take it to market.
3. Allowing Other Peoples’ Opinions to Influence Yours
George Michael harbours a secret, shameful crush on his cousin Maeybe. She is spirited and slightly reckless and George Michael constantly changes his own opinions to chime with hers.
When the tree on the building site is to be cut down, Maeybe fights to save it (to defy her mother) and so does George Michael. But then she changes her mind and George Michael follows suit, but of course, this doesn't impress her.
George Michael’s lack of a strong inner guide means he is easily led and it gets him into trouble like the time he gets arrested for breaking and entering which he only did to impress Maeybe.
Lesson:
If you are always changing who you are at the whim of customers or trends you will never appeal to the ones you want to attract.
Instead: Know your values and stick to them, even when they seem in contrast with what others value. Because people will respect you more for being authentic and true to yourself than blindly following the herd. Be patient, and you will connect with the people who are right for you.
4. Being an Eternal Student
Buster is the youngest of Michael’s brothers. He still lives with their mother and is treated like a little kid even though he must be at least 30 years old.
His ‘career’ is studying post-graduate courses ranging from archaeology to medieval cartography. Now, these subjects are interesting in and of themselves, but Buster does not study these courses with any goal other than delaying adulthood indefinitely.
Lesson:
If you want to begin a new career or start a business it is essential to study and learn what you need to do it. But don’t get caught in the trap of putting off your venture until you are ‘ready.’
Learning is life-long but better to get started in the world of work sooner rather than later.
Having said that, it is also a mistake...
5. Jumping into a New Career Without Having Thought Things Through.
Michael’s twin sister Lynzie’s husband, Tobias Funke, was a psychoanalyst and therapist but lost his licenses after injuring a man during CPR.
He makes the rash decision to become an actor after being influenced by a group of homosexuals protesting against the yacht club whom he unwittingly joined (“They were actors, Lynzie!”).
Although the couple is unemployed, broke and in debt, he decides to follow this career path. With little success, I may add.
Lesson:
Follow your dreams by all means, but make sure that you have a day job to fund it and money to put a roof over your head first.
6. Micromanaging
George Bluth is in prison, yet he still manages to run the company. Much to Michael’s chagrin.
Michael would like to be left to do his job, without his father meddling.
In Episode Two, in an attempt to do the opposite with his son, he puts George Michael in charge of the family’s frozen banana stand. This backfires when George Snr then uses this to his advantage by getting George Michael to hire his ex-inmate, T Bone.
Michael gets annoyed at being treated like this, so in an act of defiance he burns down the banana stand. Unfortunately, it turns out the wooden walls were lined with $250,000 in cash.
Lesson:
Trust those you employ or outsource to do their job. Even if you think you could do better. Because people hate to be micro-managed and it will only engender resentment.
Another way to look at this is to empower people. If they do a bad job then you can improve their training or get someone else to do it.
Remember, if you are busy sticking your nose in, you take that time away from your own work.
7. Celebrating Wins Prematurely
After accompanying her husband to his acting audition for a TV commercial, Lynzie manages to land the job instead. She is so excited she goes out and celebrates.
Too much.
She gets drunk and sleeps in, thus missing out on the opportunity.
Lesson:
Even when it looks like you are going to achieve success, continue to focus on doing the job right until it is completed. Don't get cocky and self-sabotage.
8. Being Indiscreet
G.O.B. (George Oscar Bluth - pronounced ‘Jobe’) is the older brother of Michael. He is flamboyant, irresponsible and flaky. He has a magic career that is stifled due to the fact that he was black-balled by his own group ‘the Alliance of Magicians’ for accidentally revealing on TV how a trick was done.
Throughout the series he attempts to get back into the Alliance by impressing them through a series of ‘illusions.’ Unfortunately G.O.B. can't help inadvertently revealing his secrets, thus sabotaging his chances of achieving his goal.
How does he do this? He is too indiscreet and doesn’t know when to keep quiet.
Ironically G.O.B. is a master at hiding his indiscretion from his girlfriend Marta.
Lesson:
In life, as in business, it is good to be transparent and open. But it is foolish to give too much away. The key is to be careful what you reveal and choose your actions and words wisely.
For example, at work, it is unwise to talk openly about your personal life, politics or religion or to bad mouth your employer, co-workers or clients. Being discreet helps you avoid conflict, builds trust and maintains your professional image.
9. Mixing Business with Family
I put this as the last one because the overriding theme of the show is ‘family.’ The characters constantly reiterate how important family is to them.
Lucille Bluth is the matriarch and chief manipulator. She uses her children for her own selfish needs and when they confront her, she manages to flip the situation so they apologise to her. Like when she frames Michael for crashing her car. She says she only did it because they were getting along so well and she didn’t want to spoil that.
Lesson:
Family can be the best source of comfort in our life. But make sure the people around you are supportive.
In order to be successful in life and business we humans need a good support network. You can’t choose your family, but you can choose whom you spend your time with.
It may be a harsh lesson to learn, but important to keep in mind.