What Every Entrepreneur Can Learn From The Big Bang Theory

An award-winning sitcom might seem like the last place to get business advice for successful people, but it’s funny what every entrepreneur can learn from The Big Bang Theory.

For those who are unfamiliar with the series, it revolves around a group of socially challenged science geeks named Leonard, Sheldon, Howard, and Rajesh who differ greatly from Penny, an attractive and outgoing girl-next-door.

The hilarious situations the characters have been through have revealed the gang’s loveable qualities and serve as valuable lessons successful people can learn from.

#1: Don’t Hog All The Work

When Leonard comes up with an idea to develop a smartphone app with the gang, Sheldon tries to seize control of the project.  After appointing himself as the chief executive, financial, and operating officer, Sheldon gets himself fired for being a control freak.

In the business world, you can only do so much by yourself. While devoting long hours is a given, you need to figure out how to make the best possible use of your time.  Being hands-on is important, but learn how to entrust certain functions of your company to the other people in your team.  This way, you can focus on the other areas of your business.

#2: Don’t Overthink Everything

In one episode, Leonard was seriously considering what would happen if he asked Penny (who previously broke up with him) out on a date.  Although it seemed that it wouldn’t work out after all, it turns out that the date and the events that followed were all in Leonard’s head. Realizing that he thinks too much for his own good, Leonard actually asks Penny out and eventually start a new relationship.

To coin a phrase from a famous athletic brand, there will be a time when you need to “just do it”.  If you’re venturing into business without previous experience, don’t be afraid to learn from the mistakes you’re going to make along the way.

Although you can make an educated guess about what will happen after you launch your product or service, you can’t predict everything. Nonetheless, you need to get out there and give it your best shot after you’ve done the necessary groundwork, such as market research and discussing your sales strategy with your team.  Only then will you see the big picture.

#3: Technology Is Your Friend

To supplement her income, Penny gets the idea to start a home-based business by making handmade hair clips.  With the help of the guys, she gets her startup off the ground by launching a website (with Leonard’s help) and end up filling out a thousand orders.

What every entrepreneur can learn from the Big Bang Theory is that the internet can level the playing field for those in the business world.  With the right tools in place – such a well-developed sales website and viral marketing through social media – you can go up against the big players in your niche. Make sure to keep abreast of the latest technological trends in sales and marketing which you can use to your advantage.

#4:  Learn The Importance Of Being Organized

As a theoretical physicist with a number of degrees under his belt (Ph.D. and Sc.D to name a few), Sheldon has established himself as an authority in his field. He owes this to the fact that he’s highly organized and systematic with his work process and daily routine.

Although Sheldon’s love of being organized often borders on the obsessive (and is often a source of the show’s humor), successful people can extract real-life lessons from his characteristics.  Having a well-defined workflow that clearly maps out all the aspects of business will greatly help tighten up your operations and keep things from “slipping through the cracks.”

#5: Learn How To Be Flexible

On the other hand, Sheldon’s strict adherence to routine can be impractical at times and often clashes with Leonard (whom he shares an apartment with) because of his constant inflexibility.

Although it’s vital to have a system in place, what every entrepreneur can learn from the Big Bang Theory is that there will be times when you’ll need to improvise during unexpected difficulties.

As mentioned earlier, you can’t anticipate all the possible scenarios you’ll encounter, so you’ll have to think on your feet from time to time. That’s why it’s important to be adaptable because more often than not, your unique circumstances won’t be covered in the manual.