Street Art is a less-than-popular sub-genre of art that brings together all the above qualities of Art under one umbrella. There is so much that one can learn from street artists who toil in unsavory weathers and places to make their creative statement with pride.
As businesses there is an unsaid narrative that these street artists spell for us. I know it sounds a little uncanny to seek inspiration in a absolute vaccum such as Street Art, that is in no way a hardcore business per say. But inspiration does not sit behind a gold-plated door and those wanting to seek it have to simply open up the vistas of their mind.
Acknowledging this espirit de art, we have some faboulous lessons that businesses can learn from these street artists.
1. Risk Taking
Being tagged as a street artist is becoming a virtual rebel in the eyes of the establishment/fraternity. Despite this baggage of shorn, these artists continue to take risk for the sake of their art and the message they want to propagate through it. In a sum total, it is safety, finances and reputation all stakes to walk the tight rope.
Lesson: In one's startup phase one experiences all these problems. However, as when the time goes, we settle down in comfort zones and hesitate to move beyond with the fear of incurring loss or inviting scathing criticism from peers. Risk is a perpetual quantity in the business niche, remember. The more you take it, calculatedly of course, the more experience you gather.
2. Being A Giver
That's the most endearing quality of a street artist. They are out on the streets creating ceaseless art because they believe in it. No doubt showcasing their talent is a vanity that every artist is stricken with. However, street artists get all the acclaim but without expecting any returns. Their works remain where they create it i.e in the public sphere And this is precisely the connecting cod that makes them endearing to the public.
Lesson: As a business, be it online or in-store, you need to reach out to the public through genuine marketing strategies. You may offer them incentives to take note of you but do not expect gigantic transcendence to become an A-lister brand in a wisp. It takes constant innovation, both at the leadership and lower rung levels. The more ideas you have, the more you can venture out and "SHOWCASE" what your business is all about. Profit generation should be the secondary agenda to real time connectivity.
3. Norm Defier
I just read this the other day in a sociology lesson, that normative human behavior in society is a absolute relative term that gets transferred through generations and eventually gets accepted as common practice. Street artists are challengers of these accepted adages. They set out to the streets as their virtual workshops to defy all that is accepted as "norm". This makes them a thorn in the sides of establishments who want their social control ideas to prevail.
Lesson: Businesses begin with the supreme idea of making it big some day. More than that the core purpose of any business should be to leave behind a legacy, a something that they did different than others, so as to be alive in public memory. Business norms are never water-tight and that's where "Innovation" is such a key concept in business development models.
4. Perseverance
Street artists require a lot more of our respect than is usually given to them. They not only put so much as stake to create their art unconditionally, but have to endure the "waiting game" to be acknowledged and accepted by the public. The fact that constantly come out into public sphere to showcase their talent is evidence to the fact that public memory is ephemeral and hence demands a new element constantly.
Lesson: Like in case of art, the customer memory is short lived as they are not hard pressed for choices. Your business service/good is but one of the many that they can opt or ignore. This dicey proposition is quite discouraging for businesses who put in a lot of hardwork to imagine and execute a branding campaign, investing time and money alike. However, the key is to hold on and wait for the right set of customers to come by and stay back loyally. For this, never pull down your business standards even if business is seeing grey days.
5. Collaborate To Communicate
Every society and century has it set of rebels who set out to change the existing practises. Street artists through their defiant art moves have become a fraternity unto themselves. To generate a positive response, the organization of art gigs and festivals not only helps these artists collaborate but rework their own thought processes.
Lesson: Collaboration is a good move in business circles. Not only does it open you up to new ideas and opinions and opens up space for dialogue. Business is not all about rivalry but a healthy competitive spirit.
6. Focus On Creating A Context
Dabbling in creativity is never bereft of context. Street art is borne out as a mark of defiance or to seek direction. Either which way, every piece of art has a narrative and context that it communicates. Bring out a context specific art is a powerful statement of self awareness as well as of the Other.
Lesson: The B-tip to pick up here is simple and straight. Your mission statement is the cornerstone of your right introduction to the audiences. that is awaiting for things to be spelled out. So tell them what you are about, what you are offering and how is it going to be beneficial to them. Selling a story with context is essential. And context is generated with a thorough analysis of the consumer market and needs.
7. Experience Is More Important Than Ends
The feeling of empowerment that one experiences while making street art is undefinable. Even though the scope of your public artwork is limited and will be replaced by someone more talented and articulate, street artists never give up on giving up their passion.
Lesson: Business journey is a collective experience of success and failures, both of which define the character of your enterprise. The team that one starts out with undergoes change, new strategies are ushered, fresh business plans are drafted. That is the thing about experience, it is a collective memory that is priceless and a byproduct of your choices along the way.
We hope the similarities between both the business and art world were bridged somewhat with these thoughts. If you have something to add to this list or want to articulate a thought of your own, you can leave us a reply in the Comments section.
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