Lessons from Loompahland

I don't like watching the news. There. I said it. It's boring and depressing and just plain makes me mad. I, instead, like to watch movies. I think you can get a lot of life lessons from movies (and bad lessons too...you have to choose the RIGHT movies). I personally have learned a lot about business, and life, from Willy Wonka. (And Mr Magorium, but he's a blog unto himself.) Lots of kids' movies contain lessons, but this one is my favorite for obvious reasons.

First, to be a good business leader, you have to be imaginative. One look at Willy and you can see he marches to the beat of his own drummer...heck, his own band! He dreams up room after room (hundreds of them) full of the most yummiest candy, each of them containing chocolate. Who else could think of installing a chocolate river? Or a glass elevator? Wonka is "pure imagination" as its finest.

Second, Wonka is a humanitarian. He rescued the oompah-loompahs from Loompahland, where they were in constant fear of their lives from all sorts of nasty creatures, and gives them a home and job security. Even pays them in chocolate. Nice.

Third, our friend Willy is a brilliant marketeer. The Golden Ticket idea is the most clever marketing campaign...EVER! It sparks interest in Wonka's products, builds brand awareness, gathers media interest generating free publicity, even speeds up word-of-mouth since kids all over the place are constantly clammoring for the prize.

Let's not forget little Charlie: Never was there a more positive thinker. Faced with insurmountable odds, even false rumors that all five tickets had been found, Charlie keeps on believing. The results of negative thinking can be devastating, especially to a child, but Charlie is proof that positive thinking and belief in your dream can lead to success.

Charlie also embodies the indomitable spirit it takes to succeed in business, and in life. Even in the toughest moments, when every else is telling him to not get his hopes up, Charlie doesn't quit. Combine this never-quit attitude with Charlie's positive thinking and his humility and generosity and you've got one cool kid, not to mention a good role model.

Behind Charlie is a good support network, a valuable asset in business. Although Charlie's family has no money, they have an abundance of love. They encourage him to keep the Golden Ticket and take the tour, even after he offers to sell it for vital cash the family needs.

Life lessons abound in this movie too. Don't be greedy, don't be slothful, don't watch too much tv, don't get hooked on gum. In life, business, and chocolate-making, you'll need clever marketing, positive thinking, a humanitarian outlook, and a good support network. Oh, and don't ever quit...your success may be just one scrumdidlyicious bar away.