Go to the theatre to learn startup tricks

On the face of it, theatre and startups have nothing in common. But people finding the idea of watching a theatre production yawn-inducing and time-consuming may be surprised to find a deep connect. Here's why, according to our in-house analysts.

One, theatre teaches you the art of improvisation. When your lead actor forgets her lines, she doesn't just stand there like a deer in headlights. She improvises. Similarly, when your startup hits a snag (and it will), you'll need to think on your feet. A little improv-training can turn a potential disaster into a mere hiccup. Two, consider the ensemble cast. In theatre, every role, no matter how small, is crucial to the success of the production. This mirrors the startup world, where every team member's contribution is vital. Watching a well-coordinated play can remind you of the importance of teamwork and collaboration. Then there's audience feedback. Unlike most other forms of enterprise, theatre (and standup comedy) gets immediate audience reactions. This is a proto-AI real-time customer-feedback loop that tells you something about startup reactivity. Embrace it, learn from it, tweak your product accordingly. Finally, theatre is all about storytelling. A compelling narrative can captivate an audience, just as a strong brand story can attract and retain customers.