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Bowser: Princess Stealer, Business Master
Category: Management and HR | 17 January, 2013 16:02
Let’s, for the moment, put aside the fact that Bowser always loses at the end of the Mario games. We can just put that down to the fact he’s the villain and he has to lose. His prep and execution is all perfect before Mario rocks up and starts murdering his workforce. Apart from being a giant dinosaur turtle thing, he has some pretty good ideas and he does well with them for the most part. So what can he teach us?
Know Your Goals and Stick To Them
Bowser is a simple guy really. Despite being a King, he doesn’t really want after much. All he wants is to settle down in one of his castles, put his feet up and marry the imprisoned Princess Peach. Is that too much to ask? Bowser puts all of his energy into obtaining the princess and keeping her. He ensures all routes to him are well guarded and even sets up elaborate traps inside his own home to stop Mario getting to her. He knows what he wants and he’ll do whatever he can to keep her.
One goal, in the case of most businesses, is not going to be enough. They’re also going to change over time as your company progresses and achieves the old goals. The point here though is to keep your goals firmly at the front of your mind and concentrate on them. You don’t want to let yourself get distracted by something else. If you think there is a new task you want to complete, weigh it up against what you’re already trying to do. Do not flood yourself with endless targets. Plan properly and pace yourself. Overstretch and you risk messing them all up.
Creating a Loyal Workforce
Bowser has a massive army of workers under his command. They are placed all over the landscape and everywhere Mario turns there is someone to confront him. From plants in pipes to giant bullets, Bowser has made sure nowhere is safe for the Italian plumber. Unfortunately for them, Mario usually gets the best of them and they are brutally beaten till they fall off the screen. This happens continuously, but despite this Bowser has no deserters. They all continue to work for him in the face of a superior enemy. Their loyalty is without question.
While you shouldn’t be expecting your workers to take a beating for you, loyalty is incredibly important. You will put a lot of time and investment in your employees and you want them to do the same for the company. Instilling some loyalty will go a long way to achieve this. Treating them well and with respect will mean they show more affinity to you. It will encourage them to do their best and discourage them from upping and leaving for another company. Always be sure to treat your staff well because in the end, it’s you who depends on them rather than the other way round.
Know Your Enemy
Bowser has one enemy, or at most, one band of enemies. He knows who they are and exactly what they’re trying to do. This information is invaluable. He knows that Mario will eventually try to rescue the princess and so therefore he is always on his guard and ready to thwart him. He also knows how Mario operates as well and can base his defences on that.
The more you know about your competitors the better because they will always be aiming to take you down. If you can tell what they’re going to do next, you can change your plans to stop them. You’ll also be able to take their business as well. Do your research and do it thoroughly. Every bit of information will help you and remember, they’re doing the same to you.
Joshua Danton Boyd is a copywriter for the online accountancy firm Crunch who specialise in the needs of freelancers and small businesses including self assessments and RTI.