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Five Lessons Reality TV Teaches Us About Business Success

By Stephen Garber

I admit, I love certain reality TV shows. No, not eating spiders or watching people in group homes, and certainly not the news today (oh, boy).

I like the shows that are about things that I can see myself doing—and when they are about positive change. I call it couch potato professional research.

I can hold a tune, mostly. I enjoy doing so. I’m addicted to NBC’s “The Voice.” (Maybe they will have a middle-aged vocalist-wannabe show soon.) My favorite part is watching the celebrity coaches shape the talent on their teams in a way that helps them realize more of their potential—and the amazing transformation in performance that excellent coaching can bring.

On ABC’s “Shark Tank,” it’s fascinating to see the variety of businesses that people create, and how they choose to present themselves under the bright lights. I am often intrigued by the insights the Sharks bring into the issues and opportunities they present. And it baffles me how people would have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and go onto the show unprepared. When you want to influence others, know who they are and what they want.

My current favorite is CNBC’s “The Profit.” Entrepreneur Marcus Lemonis goes into troubled businesses and chooses to invest or not based on three key attributes: people, process and product—all of which lead to (his) profit.

• People: The way I see it, he cares about the staff and protecting jobs. He watches, listens and learns from the people who actually do the work. He decides if the people—including the owners—are committed and talented. He engages with the owners to find out if they can work better together, and if they will put their egos aside for what is in the best interest of the business. If he doesn’t believe in the people, he won’t invest. As a friend and client of mine used to say, “Business is two-thirds people, and one-third process.”

• Process: Lemonis looks for ways to fix or improve the process. It is all about execution. If the process can be made to work significantly better, generating more profit, then he will invest. How effectively and efficiently we do what we do determines if we can be successful.

• Product: Lemonis needs to see that the product has a market and effectively serves that market. He often finds hidden gems inside the business that are more valuable than the primary product. Likewise, your product or service must truly meet the needs of your market.

There are five lessons we can learn from reality television:

1. “Business is two-thirds people, and one-third process.”

2. How effectively and efficiently we do what we do determines if we can be successful.

3. Your product or service must truly meet the needs of your market.

4. When you want to influence others, know who they are and what they want.

5. The transformation in performance excellence is what coaching can bring. ♦

Stephen Garber is director of Third Level Ltd. Contact him at 561.752.5505 or sgarber@thirdlevel.com.

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BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.