Money Heist (Spanish: La casa de papel) is a Spanish heist crime drama television series created by Álex Pina. The series traces two long-prepared heists led by the Professor (Álvaro Morte), one on the Royal Mint of Spain, and another on the Bank of Spain.
Watching this series, I could mostly see the hidden business ideas being reflected out of the scenes — from ideas to strategies, execution and so much more.
If you’ve watched the series, I’m sure you must have picked many lessons yourself too.
Here is the list of some business lesson I have learned as Marketer:
1. Set a clear GOAL
Setting goals is the first step to accomplishing anything meaningful. If you don’t know where you are going, you will probably end up somewhere else.
The professor had a grave desire behind the heist of the Royal Mint of Spain; he was paying homage to his father who had fought against the fascists in Italy.[2]
2. RESEARCH every single piece of information that concerns your market.
Research everything you can about your business, competitors and the industry that you’re entering. To make information available to you, you have to research. Get every single piece of information that revolves around your market domain.
Professor was always ahead because he had studied and researched every possible scenario.
3. PLANNING is everything - study every possible scenario
The more solid your plan is, the fewer problems you face in the future. It is the deciding of almost everything that is to be done in advance. It also helps the organization reduce uncertainty.
Professor is planning the heist from an early age and he has almost planned everything about the heist.
4. Build a TEAM, that works like a TEAM
We all know, the difference between success and failure is a great team. It’s an enthusiasm that a group of people shares for their common interests and responsibilities.
Professor has taken great care in choosing his team. He understands each of his team members on an individual front and distributes the task according to their strength.
5. PERSISTENCE- Rest but never give up
Energy and persistence conquer all things. Do whatever it takes. Persisting in the face of adversity is what builds champions. If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.
There are many times when the professor and his team loses control, but they never give up. They Have faith that they will find a solution anyway.
6. Always have PLAN B - In Case your Master plan doesn’t work out
The most successful businesses are those who are good at plan B. Plan B should be with regards to strategy and execution approach and not with setting a new Goal.
There are many times in the show where the professor and his team loses the control because of their own doing which is not originally what they planned to do - And for that every situation, Professor has Plan B
7. Proper EXECUTION is key
You can have the best plan but with poor execution, you will fail. No matter how brilliant your idea/plan/strategy may seem at the time, an idea alone is never enough to guarantee the growth of your business -- but execution can. Ideas don’t make you rich. The correct execution of ideas does.
Professor knows from the beginning that it is the proper execution of the plan that makes him win or lose and he has left no stone unturned to make it smooth.
8. Being ANALYTICAL is art - Learn it
The better you are at learning people, the better your execution will be. If you don’t use the data, you’re going to fall behind. Taking a data-driven approach to business can come with tremendous benefits. It lets you in control of your strategy.
Professor knows that there are several historical examples of how people respond to new situations or decisions are how management is generally taught. Learning how people will react to a certain situations isn’t science - it’s an art and you can learn this. This is evident when he explains why he thinks “Plan Cameroon” or “Plan Chernobyl” will work
9. Work/Life balance - Never mix business with emotions
The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule but to schedule your priorities. It ensures your focused balance between competing priorities in our jobs and personal lives.
Several times Tokyo and others almost ruined the plan because they got carried away. Denver almost lost his life because he got emotional.
10. OUTSOURCE important work if needed
Master your strengths, outsource your weaknesses. The real power of outsourcing going forward is going to be that it increases an organization’s core capacity for change and growth. If you deprive yourself of outsourcing and your competitors do not, you’re putting yourself out of business.
For those of you who've watched the show would know about Shakir - the Pakistani hacker who guided the Professor and his team during their mission inside the Bank of Spain.
11. Have FLEXIBLE PLAN to Survive, otherwise you will not go long
Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach. It is not the strongest plan or strategy that survives. It is the flexible plan that is most adaptable to change.
Professor always has a plan B. And he shifts gears according to the reaction of the Police or situation.
12. THINK BIG - Never build a business on money
Never build a business just to make money, build a business to make a difference. The business which makes only money is a bad business, and it will not keep the momentum for long. Soon or later you will fail.
Money Heist is more than just a story of a group of people trying to steal money from the government - it is a story of love, a story of family, a story of making a difference. Even the professor wasn’t just motivated by money, he wanted to continue and fulfill the legacy his dad died trying to fulfill.
13. TRUST because it is the source of our strength
He who does not trust enough, will not be trusted. Without trust, your organization cannot function as a whole. This will leave you with disorganized individuals rather than a team under your command.
Whenever communication between the professor and his team was cut off or any critical happens, his team operated with confidence and faith that the professor would manage to come back and save them at the end.
14. BELLA CIAO
Know when to say goodbye to a toxic partner, investor or the business itself.
O bella ciao, bella ciao, bella ciao, ciao, ciao
So this was all that I have learnt from this amazing Netflix show. I hope you find this blog useful. I would love to receive suggestions.
Bella Ciao.
Digital marketer – A trusted Digital advisor.
Helping people digitally to grow.
A learner. Love God, Democracy and Adele.
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