I almost can't believe I'm recommending this!  Now let me tell 
you why.  Because the "America Idol" TV show is great learning 
about what it takes to stand out in the marketplace.  That's what 
all these singers are trying to do.  I've never watched the show 
but for a few minutes one time in all 5 years they've been on TV. 
But when I was channel surfing during a commercial break while 
catching the Olympics, I was pulled in.  Apparently it was the 
first night that the new crop of young guys and gals were 
performing.  They were performing their hearts out and then 
would get critiqued.  That's when it hit me.  The judges were 
evaluating these performers much like customers assess 
entrepreneurs in the marketplace.

For example, the judges - you know who I mean:  Randy, Paula and 
the infamous Simon - would make comments on the singer's voice 
quality and whether or not they were sharp or flat (mainly sharp 
by the way, but I didn't notice 'cause I can only sing Karaoke 
and not that well).  So, in my mind, they are checking out their 
technical competence, how well they do the core skill of singing. 
Entrepreneurs are also expected to do one skill very well.  Not 
perfect mind you, but really, really well.  To me, it's an ante 
into the game of business.

The wannabe idols were also assessed by how well they moved on 
the stage and interacted with the audience, both the live one and 
the one through the camera.  There were times when I was amazed 
at how well some of these guys and gals made me feel they were 
looking straight at me with the emotion while they belted out a 
ballad.  Some were "entertaining" as Randy said more than once. 
Paula sometimes stood up and swayed in response to how she felt 
pulled in.  It reminded me that in business it's not enough to be 
good at your core skill as a book keeper, coach, or free lance 
writer.  Customers want more, they want an experience, from the 
time they meet you through the time you deliver the goods to the 
time you wrap up.  The singers who created an experience usually 
received louder applause.

Then came the most interesting learning for me as an 
entrepreneur.  After maybe 2 or 3 singers, one of more of the 
judges said that what made singers stand out and be exceptional 
was an "x" or "it" factor.  They had an extra special quality 
that beamed from them and made their performance extra powerful. 
I noticed that those singers felt more relaxed and comfortable in 
their own skin.  I thought...I want that!  Then I realized there 
were two qualities to those who had "it" that I could apply to 
myself as an entrepreneur:  passion and self-confidence.  If I 
want to be a real "star" as an entrepreneur that's what I have to 
exude.  Tall order, but someone's gonna do it and it might as 
well be me.  How about you?

Who knew that watching American Idol would teach me so much?! 
But it did:  be good at my core skill, create an experience for 
customers, be passionate, and believe in myself.  Now this is 
advice I can heartedly recommend to ANY entrepreneur!
 

During a successful, demanding, rising through the ranks 
10 year career with America Online Mary learned that the only 
way to thrive in today's world is to be bold, positive, and 
courageous - bodacious!  Today, as the founder of the Bodacious 
Women's Club, Mary inspires women entrepreneurs to use their 
natural abilities to build their businesses, reduce stress, and 
feel fulfilled.  You can be inspired, too!  Get a free copy of 
Mary's popular e-book "5 Empowering Words for Women" at 
http://www.bodaciouswomensclub.com.

Copyright © 2006 Mary Foley, Bodacious Ventures, LLC