Business Lessons from AC/DC
Last week, my favorite band, AC/DC, released their newest album.
Their latest collection of songs on Power Up doesn’t disappoint, and it got me thinking of a band in a much different way—what are important business lessons we can learn from the band and their success? After all, AC/DC is a group of people that come together to deliver a product to customers.
Sometimes simple is the key to success.
If you’ve ever listened to AC/DC and compared them to other rock bands, one thing will stand out: AC/DC’s songs are very simple. The lyrics don’t have deep meanings, the drums are minimalist, the guitars focus on only a few chords, and the songs aren’t very long.
It is simple music that you can tap your foot to: rock and roll with just a little blues.
This formula has led to worldwide success.
Simple however, does not always mean easy. If AC/DC’s music was easy to make, why isn’t it easily replicated?
The best ideas are often the simple ones; and doing the simple things right is worth the effort.
Don’t underestimate the power of consistency.
One critique of AC/DC is that they make the same type of music and don’t deviate from their ‘formula’. You won’t find ballads or softer music on their albums. They don’t try to mix it up or try something different. The band openly acknowledges that they stick to what they know.
Their success is due to several different factors, but one thing that stands out to me is that humans appreciate consistency more than they realize. It’s the same reason why chain restaurants succeed: you know exactly what to expect, and they deliver nearly every time.
In a world filled with unpredictability, humans like things that they can count on.
With AC/DC, you know what you’re in for. That’s why their fans love them.
It’s not about being cutting edge, it’s about being reliable and knowing you can be counted on.
The principles of getting the simple things right and consistency are not the sexiest attributes in any business, or for that matter, any person. Upon reflection though, we must acknowledge that these are aspects that we must hold in high regard.
They are not something that all entities hold, but they are integral to our everyday interactions.
They are characteristics that anyone can have, and yet, not enough do.
Nonprofit, Marketing, Communications Leader | Public Education Enthusiast
4 年Great point about the post of simple! In the creative world, we discuss this all the time. Getting to "simple" requires creating a lot of ideas and entering a process of constant distillation to find the BEST way to communicate something. "Simple" has a bad connotation... simple isn't "simplistic." And it's not easy, either!