Daniel Lamarre, is the long time CEO and now Executive Vice-Chairman of the Board at Cirque du Soleil
He is widely regarded as the driver behind Cirque du Soleil's successful global strategy. He is named in books and the (Blue Ocean) case study is used in MBA programmes globally.
Originally composed of 20 street performers in 1984, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group completely reinvented circus arts and went on to become a world leader in live entertainment. Established in Montreal, the Canadian organisation has brought wonder and delight to over 180 million spectators with productions presented in 450 cities in 60 countries. Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group currently employs 4,000 people, as Daniel will explain, including 1,300 artists, who originate from nearly 50 countries. In the podcast he shares that its like 'the United Nations' in the cafeterias at Cirque.
It is worth remembering the Mission of Cirque du Soleil: to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses and evoke the emotions of people around the world.
Can you imagine running 44 shows in a dozen countries, a billion dollar show on earth, and then Covid hit? Daniel talks us through closing the business from 44 shows to zero, but more usefully perhaps, talks about the leadership behaviours during the time they were closed, and how they kept in touch with the several thousand staff and 1,000+ performers
The Mission makes me tingle with excitement, but how do you bring that to life? Daniel tells us about being a creative powerhouse, about creative friction and some of the elements required to develop creativity in your people, culture and at the heart of your business.
Daniel takes the old adage that without creativity there is no innovation to a new level. He believes that without creativity there is no business. Listen in to find why he believes and what stops people and businesses being creative. Creativity extends far beyond business improvement, it needs to exist at the core of the business.
One of the problems I experience with clients is that they hold workshops with the idea that 'now we will be creative'.... Sometimes we get lucky, often we don't. Why? Because creativity is not in their DNA, its not in the Culture. The culture does encourage or enable creative thinking, conversations and ideas.
If you are interested in creative thinking and problem solving, Richard Draisey from McLaren Formula One Team, talks about how the Budget Cap pushed creativity - particular between finance and engineers in the Podcast I recorded with him.
You may be wondering, as was I, how a very human centric business can thrive in a largely digital world. We cover this off in the conversation, with, of course, a reference to creative thinking, developing a view of the future and being constantly open to new ideas.
I would like to thank Daniel Lamarre most dearly for joining me on this global PJ TIPS PODCAST, Leading Business Change, focusing on Creativity and Leadership.
#leadingbusinesschange #creativethinking #blueocean #businessimprovement #strategy #culture
