The Six Lessons I Live By: Ari Emanuel

Co-CEO at William Morris Endeavor  with comments by me!

 

1. Surround yourself with people who are smarter than you and move out of their way.

If you feel like you know everything, you’re wrong. I know what I don’t know and then I find partners who can teach me. A perfect example is my partnership with Patrick Whitesell, my co-CEO at WME. While we take on different roles at the company and focus on different things, we share the same goals and at the end of the day, we’re working toward the same end. That’s been the key to our success. My spin: surround yourself with people who are smarter than you are and move out of their way BUT pay attention to what they do!

 

2. The only constant in business is change. Get comfortable with it.

When I started in the business, there were four broadcast networks and 19 cable networks. Now there are five broadcast networks, 117 cable networks, Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, HBOGo, iTunes, Amazon Prime, VOD – the list goes on and on. Next year there will be more distribution platforms, and in ten years the landscape will have shifted another 180 degrees. The business is changing quickly, and the only way to succeed is to change with it. I always tell my colleagues, there is no such thing as a traditional talent agent anymore. It’s about pushing beyond that 10% commission and finding opportunity where it didn’t exist before. My Spin: Change is inevitable and pushes us to our greatest achievements, Stagnation Stifles.

 

3. Fail often, fail quickly.

Nobody f's up like I do, but you’ll never succeed unless you take risks. Big ones. In 2009, we took Endeavor, a company that was doing incredibly well, and merged it with the oldest talent agency in the world. From a cultural and organizational standpoint, it was a big risk. People had their doubts. But we had a vision and a lot of help from very smart people (see #1.) Three years later, our business is stronger, our bench is deeper and smarter, and our deal-making is more innovative. It’s a better company – period. You have to lead by example if you want to promote a culture where risk-taking is rewarded. My Spin: After you "F" up ... always ask yourself what did I learn from this and how would I do it differently.  True Innovation often comes from these introspective moments.

 

4. Your schedule makes you dumber.

Force yourself outside of your daily schedule. Be curious and take time to learn about worlds outside of the one you live in. Watch the news, read the paper, educate yourself. Don’t be afraid to call people you don’t know, start a conversation, and ask for things you need. At the very least, you’ll be more interesting. At the most, you’ll take your business in new and bigger directions. My Spin: Absolutely!! Look through the eyes of a 10 year old but with the wisdom of your years!

 

5. You only get one shot – make it count.

I learned this the painful way. After being hit by a car and lying face-down in the middle of Wilshire Boulevard, I was confronted with a whole lot more than my mortality. Take advantage of each day that’s given to you and do something to move the needle on your business, even if it’s just an inch. You’ve heard it before, but life is not a dress rehearsal. Don’t waste your time (or mine.) My Spin: I'd change the title too much pressure - Do Gooder Every Day!  and maker sure you Reflect on each day with Gratitude and Give more than you take!

 

6. Good ideas rule all.

In the end, it’s all about creative ideas and content – it’s the lifeblood of our business. I’m fortunate enough to work with the writers, directors, musicians and actors who are defining culture with their voices. It’s why I come to work in the morning. In 100 years, when the world looks different, and we communicate in new ways, and we have more devices and platforms and distribution methods, I believe great artistry will still matter most. My Spin: Share your ideas and be willing to modify based upon the thoughts of others... if you've surrounded yourself with people smarter, your collaboration can make a world of difference!

 

Not all New Ideas are Tangible

I work a lot within the Diabetes Therapeutic Category and through my years of experience I developed...

 

A 12 STEP approach for individuals with Type 2:

I think it's very apropos - IF most Type 2 diabetics Walked more they could help control their disease. 

1. Accept that yes, you put yourself here by poor eating habits, lack of exercise, stress...and that you have a problem.   You're at a cross roads.  You can either continue down the path of victim and self destruct or take the path toward living a happy healthy life.  Stop the guilt and decide to do something about it.

2. Forgive your past, yourself and others.  Don't just reside yourself to this is how it has to be.  Don't blame grandma for passing down all those lard laden recipes. Like Rafki in The Lion King said -  "Oh yes, the past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it, or... learn from it."  and with Diabetes the past can really hurt you... your vision, kidneys ... You can't change yesterday but you can take steps to change your future. 

3.  Write down all the reasons why you Can't do it.  Once you've exhausted all of them ceremoniously shred them or burn them... they can no longer stop you.

4.  Make a list of all the reasons why you want to make this change... Go through magazines cut out images that speak to you about your healthy self.  Cut out words that motivate you to stay the course.  Glue them on a visualization board and hang where you'll see it several times a day... the fridge, the bathroom mirror.  Be inspired by its contents.

5. Make a plan.  Strategies for  success. Journal your food choices daily, your exercise log... there are lots available on line for free.  Remember a 10,000 mile journey begins with one single step.   Meal plan.  Snack plan.  Plan!  When we don't have a plan is when we tend to make bad choices.  Plan, Plan, Plan.

6. Daily Affirmations.  Make them in the present tense and say them to yourself several times a day.  i.e.: I make better food choices and select whole grains.  I am walking 30 minutes.  I check my glucose and I am in a healthy range. 

7.  When you feel a slip or stressor -  Walk away... Literally Walk Away.  Take a lap in the parking lot, take to the stairs, meditate... 

8. Engage the assistance of someone... like an AA sponsor.  Someone who you can chat with when your frustrated, having a bad day.   There are Diabetes help groups all over the internet... link up with someone who has had success and guide you.   

9. Write down your stressors and then solutions as to how you're going to handle them when they come up the next time.  Make sure one it to get up and be active!

10. Expect bad days... but get back on track.  Don't beat yourself up.  Accept, Acknowledge, and Alter the path back on track.

11. Reward yourself.  Remember everything within moderation.  If you have a birthday party coming up have a piece of cake, make it smaller and make sure it's within your guidelines set by your physician.  You can't stop living and avoid everything but you can have a game plan in place that can allow you the occasional treat.

12. Write down questions between physician appointments in a central location like a spiral bound book so you can discuss events, pitfalls and successes without relying on your memory with your physician.  Open up - and be honest.  Dialog with your physician he's your sponsor too. 

Early Days!

One of my earliest inventions was in college. In 1983, I had a broadcasting assignment to write a :30 second commercial.  Instead of story booking one for a product that already existed, I created Fluoride Gum.  I can't recall now what I named my product (too many years ago.)  I probably have an old tape in garage but wouldn't be able to watch it because they don't make those kinds of reel players anymore...

But I do remember how I came up with the concept: Aspergum was popular when I was a kid to sooth your sore throat.    I loved it because, well what kid didn't want to chew gum!  It was the only way to "legally" chew gum in school.  I chewed them probably well more than prescribed, but I loved that orange flavor!   It certainly was my favorite way to get the medicine to go down using the ol' "spoon full of sugar" technique!

Anyway... I got to thinking -  I was already a huge advocate of chewing a sugarless gum after eating on campus to freshen my breath... wouldn't it be great to add fluoride and than it would be just like I'd brushed my teeth.

Then I thought about all those little kids who fight Mom & Dad about brushing their teeth before bed, and how much easier it would be to get them to brush more than just one time a day... and then I thought about 3rd world countries who didn't have fluoride and how this could be a global sensation.... I even sent myself a letter through the post office to date and protect my idea... this was going to be HUGE!

It did get me an A on my project... but it bombed in real life.

Yada yada... too much fluoride can be bad for you if ingested and too much can lead to spots on your teeth or worse and if kids were anything like me with Aspergum and overindulged - well let's just say it's not a good combination.

Fast forward, I still think it's a unique delivery system for certain medications. Who doesn't love chewing gum!!!  I'm not crazy, have you seen the surge in gummy vitamin sales for adults...   Who's on board with me we can create Razzles fluoride gum... Call me!

Really Nifty Idea

In what seems like an endless search for all the "necessities" for college dorm life I came across this really cool gadget.  Totally frivolous I know and not really a necessity, but I bought it anyway.  Got home and tried it on a moving box - WOW - It's crazy how it works. Clarity and sound is amazing.  Actually might not make it into Jake's dorm box after all ...

  The more hollow the object the better the sound quality
  Works with ANY device that has a standard 3.5mm headphone jack: iPods, iPhones, 
  Droids, laptops, blackberrys, etc.  Size: 1 x 2.5 inches 

 Great On: Carboard boxes, appliances, coolers, drawers, cups, bowls, lamp shades,
 tupperware, file cabinets and much much more!

 Product Includes: Rock-It 3.0 unit with built in rechargeable battery, extra sticky pads, and a
 USB charging cable.

 

 

My first Post... Wow I am so not a social media diva... Oh well, Here goes. 

I know I say I'm an inventor, but you have to back it up a bit... I am an inventor because someone has presented me with a problem.  A problem to solve... so really I'm a problem-solver.

Problem:  My son is getting ready to head off to college and since I was a commuter and didn't actually stay on campus at MSU, I feel a bit like a deer in the headlights.  Looking at all the advertising circulars with such intense verve believing he MUST have that little shower caddy... Oh and how cute is that static cling memo board for friends to leave notes on his door when he's at class. 

Process: Then there is a huge wave crashing on me barreling me over, my reality check waking me from my crazy thoughts... First Really???  Jake is NOT going to carry a shower caddy - I'll be lucky if he wears flip flops on his zombied walk down the hall to get to the showers.  Cute memo board, RIGHT... unlike his mom, he is technically savvy and will just get an IM or Text alerting him. 

But, I have to make sure he's prepared right....

Solution:   Boils down to Necessities.  (The mother of invention.)  There isn't much room in a college dorm room.   What he'll need is a really big laundry basket/bag.  The creative solution is to make it smell better.  He's a Student- Athlete and things can get pretty stinky.   hummm... I'm going to experiment with sewing in a pouch of masculine scented deodorizer beads or a bundle of dryer sheets tissue box style (2 fold solution.) so he can use them at the student laundromat.   Oh wait, big crashing wave again... right I'll be doing laundry!