When an organisation is chaotic or dysfunctional, people often describe it as “a circus.” But I want to tell you why you should run your business like a circus – based on my experience at one of the world’s most famous circuses – Cirque du Soleil.
At any given time, Cirque du Soleil has 1,400 individuals on the road across nine shows. These individuals entrust their lives to one another – dropping a colleague during a high wire act could have dire consequences. Therefore, when people use that phrase to describe poor organisation, it’s the exact opposite of what it actually takes to keep the show on the road.
Circuses have refined their operations over centuries. In 1895, the US Army dispatched officers to observe Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey, recognising their unparalleled logistics in moving a massive operation from city to city. The officers marvelled at their efficiency, describing it as “a kingdom on wheels… picking everything up in its magician’s arms, whisking it all miles away, and setting it down before sunrise in a new place.” Today, over a century later, this precision persists, albeit on a grander scale. Many fail to grasp the sheer effort required to transport our Big Top shows across not just countries but continents.
So, what can businesses learn from circuses like ours? It boils down to four essential principles: chemistry, communication, creativity, and customer experience.
Chemistry is the bedrock of our organisation. We operate as ‘a team of teams,’ with nine shows cooperating seamlessly. If one tour lacks a rigger, another will offer theirs. We’ve fostered a decentralised structure where each tour functions autonomously with support from headquarters. A show like Kurios or Alegría comprises 130 individuals on the road, including 50 artists and 80 technical or management staff, along with accompanying family members. This family-oriented approach, while unconventional in other industries, is integral to our success. When joining Cirque du Soleil, individuals aren’t signing up for a job; they’re embracing a lifestyle. This familial support fosters the chemistry crucial for our operations.
Communication is paramount. Tour directors anticipate upcoming shows by consulting counterparts from previous engagements, learning from past successes and failures. A network of conversations ensues, fostering collective wisdom.
“Creativity is key to our success but not always as you might assume”
Creativity is key to our success but not always as you might assume. Cirque du Soleil’s productions are renowned for their imagination, but there are two types of creativity: the sort that creates the shows, and operational creativity. Every day, we have something happening where people have to be resourceful, whether that’s visas not arriving in time, a truck being late, or a new show to create. The best thing you can do as an organisation is not just give people permission to be creative but nurture the mindset that it’s okay to try something and that it’s okay if it goes wrong, as long as we learn from it.
We also recognise that show creatives speak a different language to operational creatives, so we encourage them to be bilingual, just like in our base of Montréal, where people speak French and English.
Lastly, customer experience transcends the stage performance. While our shows are renowned for their spectacle, the overall experience encompasses much more. We recognise that a great performance can be overshadowed by a poor parking experience or a long line for the toilets or merch stand. So, we meticulously orchestrate every element under our control to ensure an unforgettable experience for our patrons.
In essence, running a business like a circus demands cohesion, effective communication, a culture of innovation, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. Embracing these principles can transform an organisation, fostering resilience and excellence akin to the greatest spectacles under the Big Top. So, next time someone compares your business to a circus, take it as a compliment and strive to embody the ethos of the “kingdom on wheels.”
Duncan Fisher is president, Touring Shows Division, Cirque du Soleil.
{ SOURCE: IQ Magazine }
