The Perfect Harmony: What Music Can Teach You About Running a Business
While talking about music is like dancing about poetry — difficult to capture with words — bear with me!
I used to dabble in DJing and Electronic music production in my earlier years. I also learned piano and guitar at an early age. Music has always been something I could lose myself in completely, spending many nights staying up late layering pads, recording myself and others, and crafting that perfect snare drum. There was very little balance in my life, but that’s what it took at that time for me to be happy with the result.
I spent a lot of time training my ear to the best combinations of sound. How the song’s progression impacted the listener. I wanted to be in tune to what people responded to on the floor but also satisfied me creatively at the same time.
To me a successful company has been like crafting the perfect album: building a collaboration of tracks that elicit emotion and memorable experiences for every avid listener (or customer).
When I got into music, the first thing I learned was layering. I realized going for minimal but higher quality elements worked better than having too many things going on at once. Especially when it came to finally playing the track on a big sound system in a club: less is actually more, and certainly did more to capture the room and transform it.
The second aspect I focused on was the rhythm: the drum keeps everything moving forward, bringing everyone together in that collective headspace.
Third was pacing. I learned to slow down, isolate tracks, and listen to them as individual elements before mixing them together.
Last but not least was the mindset. I started to really embrace the unknown. That means, not just accepting flaws but realizing all the beauty that can emerge from making mistakes and taking risks!
I’ve always been keen on seeing patterns and taking things I learn from one area of my life and applying it to another. My passion for music has naturally carried over into how I’ve approached our business and the rhythm and pace we’ve set for our company.
The use of less high quality layers over more varying layers of sound mirrors the importance of creating high quality leadership and building a team that is all on the same page (or note).
I’ve also always been adamant about reporting back everything from financials to targets, goals and growth. Establishing a firm sense of routine and accountability pushes everyone, not just to reach their personal bests, but to get there together.
Ultimately, it’s all about creating that perfect harmony — having the right seat in the right place, and orchestrating the movements to create something memorable, thoughtful, and groundbreaking — but it’s about timing too. You need to know how to recognize opportunities when they arise, and get yourself heard by the right people. This is as true for any musician as it is for growing a company. Understand what opportunity is.
Musical Lessons to Apply:
- Less is more: This is especially true when it comes to finding the right people to support you!
- Slow Down: Break down parts of the business and analyse them from time to time to learn on how to better improve them.
- Healthy balance/harmony: Focus not just on fostering creativity and passion (or hiring people with those qualities) but making sure they align and are in synch with the vision you have in mind/what you’re trying to create.
- Be fearless: Embrace the opportunity to see the happy mistakes. Being open to making mistakes is not easy, but it’s worth it! Seeing the opportunity in the unknown and the ability to innovate as an entrepreneur is what it takes to stand out.
Of course, maybe the most important element is the most difficult.Having a recognizable style or brand that is similar to having that dynamic personality needed to attract and retain an audience! Stay tuned for more.
Recommended Alum Listening (from start to finish)
- Gallant — Zebra / Weight In Gold
- Years & Years — Communion
- Chet Faker — Built On Glass
- Jamie XX — In Colour
- Buena Vista Social Club — Lost and Found
- SOHN — Tremors
- Jamie Lidell — Compass
- London Grammar — If You Wait
- Caribou — Our Love
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Kyle Nordman is the Principal and Co-Founder of Savoury Chef Foods and the Online Pastry Training Centre. A member of the Vancouver EO Network, Kyle is a firm believer in using technology as a tool for creative success and has a deep passion for sharing his expertise with others. Learn more or get in touch with Kyle at www.savourychef.com
