Business Success From Dora The Explorer
It Really Does Boil Down To Some Simple Lessons
It has been quite a few years since I last sat through an episode of Dora The Explorer. Do they still make new ones? She entertained my kids and she wasn’t a giant purple dinosaur… those two facts alone would make me happy. But hidden in her overly formulaic plots was a recipe for business success, one I am never above exploiting for a new article in Creative Analytics.
Grab Your Backpack! Let’s go! Jump in! Ivaminos! You can lead the way!
It is all about decisions.
Everyday for your business and every episode of Dora was a series of decisions. You have to applauded the simplified visualizations. Dora presents our kids with multiple paths and choices. There are times that decision making feels like a lost art in education, perhaps that is why it took an explorer to find one.
Bring The Right Resources And Tools
If only your business had backpack! That guy is quite an asset in a bind. Each episode of Dora emphasized the need to find the right tools to help in a challenging situation. While your business might not be able to acquire a magical talking backpack with its own search functionality, you should certainly take a lesson and invest in the right tools, storage, search, and even a nic nack, or two!
Never Underestimate The Power Of A Monkey In Boots
Wait… what? Boots was part mentor, part friend, part consultant, and quite capable of getting sh!t done (thus the need for boots, right?). For this article, I would focus your attention on Boots role in helping Dora make tough decisions or overcome problems. Having someone who is both supportive and learning alongside you can be a huge advantage. If they own a pair of styling red boots, all the more fun!
You Need To Ask A Lot Of Questions… Even When They Feel Awkward
Like kids, young businesses often struggle to ask the right questions. As Dora taught plenty of parents, that doesn’t go away with maturity. Never be afraid to ask a question. Even if it feels a bit dumb… you won’t learn why until you ask.
Another lesson here, ask the audience. How often do you ask your customers what they think? In my experience, even the Googles and Apples of the world often fail to ask. This can be a big advantage for you.
Finally, Dora often asked questions of other characters along the way. She sought out export advise. Not all of it proved to be so expert, but there was always something to be learned, a decision to be refined, or a friend to be made.
You Need A Map
If there’s a place you got to go
I’m the one you need to know
I’m the Map
I’m the Map
I’m the Map
If there’s a place you got to get
I can get you there I bet
I’m the Map (12 times)
If you don’t have a map of your business, you have no idea where you are going or how you are going to get there. The strange thing is, so few businesses actually have a map. Rest assured, the good one do. It something they aren’t sharing readily either. It far too large of a competitive advantage. Where would Dora be without her map? Still looking for a Big Red Chicken, I suppose.
It is all about learning.
Everyday is about learning. But wait, I thought it was decisions… The only way to get better at making the important decisions is to learn. It is what businesses and explorers need to do. Learn from your decisions. Learn from your friends. Learn from your map. And occasionally learn from an article inspired by a show for preschoolers.
Feedback Is Powerful
It can even prevent larceny…
And show about learning and exploration, by default, is a show about feedback. Swipers regular entrance into the story line only reinforced that concept in its most basic form.
Swiper, no swiping! Ah, man!
It seems silly enough. Many businesses treat feedback in a similar manner. Feedback can be awkward. It can be disappointing, just ask Swiper. But it is essential to a successful business. It is how we learn. It is how we communicate. But it is far more powerful than most people imagine. Here the writers of Dora show more analytic prowess than the average business person.
Celebrate Success
While Swiper was often the recipient of negative feedback, Dora also knew how to create positive feedback, too! It is an important and final lesson. One final lesson from Dora — always good to end with a summary and a song:
We did it! (3x)
Yay!
Lo hicimos!
We did it!We learned a business needs to make decisions.
We did it! (3x)
Hooray!We learned that tools are important as well.
We did it! (4x)We recognized that supporters can help us learn.
We did it! (3x)
Hooray!We asked a lot of questions ’cause that’s important.
We did it! (4x)* A pitch changes with horns, popping music, and snares. *
We did it! (3x)
Yay!
Lo hicimos!
We did it!We learned that maps are needed to help us succeed.
We did it! (3x)
Hooray!We know that learning is really important.
We did it! (4x)We recognized the value of feedback, too.
We did it! (3x)
Hooray!Yay!
Whoo!
Hooray!
We did it!
Whoo!
Thanks for reading!
If your business needs help creating a map — we can help.
