Why We Should All Be Like Donald Trump and Coldplay

Political Tour de Force 

Despite the controversies that often surround him, Donald Trump’s influence in the political arena has become increasingly and undeniably more formidable, leading to a convincing victory in the 2024 US Election.  

One of the keys to Trump’s undoubted success is his unwavering commitment to his core messaging and how he connects with his base. He knows what his loyal supporters, and more importantly, what the broader audience he is targeting wants. He has been unwavering when focusing on hot topics such as immigration, economic growth, and national security and that clearly resonated with a large proportion of US voters. 

Coldplay Outperforms Taylor Swift 

At the other end of the spectrum, British rock group, Coldplay also enjoyed a stellar year. Their album, “Moon Music,” debuted at number one in the US and UK charts and number two in NZ.  Alongside that, their Music of the Spheres Tour eclipsed even the Taylor Swift Eras Tour in terms of the number of shows. Coldplay having played over 200 stadium shows (and counting) compared to Taylor Swift’s 149. 

I was fortunate to be at one of Coldplay’s Auckland shows in November and they are unapologetic in aiming to give their audience what they want and expect. A Coldplay concert is a fully immersive experience where they bombard you with hits and you wear a light-up wristband that turns you into a one–person disco and makes you feel an integral part of the show. Confetti canons, massive video screens, lasers, flame throwers and fireworks all add to the experience designed to bring everyone together for 2 hours in a joyous throng. 

Lessons for Local Business 

So, what can we learn from the achievements of these global titans? The answer lies in the simple concept of focusing on what you are really good at and delivering what your customers want. It also lies in the ability to adapt to keep your offering up to date and relevant. Both Trump and Coldplay have continually evolved their approach to maintain success and achieve longevity. 

For businesses, this translates to truly understanding what you do and your core strengths. Whether you run a café, a retail store, or an IT company, you must understand and stay true to your unique value proposition. By honing in on what sets you apart and consistently delivering high-quality products or services, you will build a loyal customer base. 

The other thing to avoid is getting sidetracked into areas where you have limited expertise. In the technology space we often come across businesses who give the remit for something as critical as their IT to a ‘keen’ member of staff, who is actually employed to do something else. Whilst this might appear cost effective it’s a huge risk and false economy and detracts from their ability to focus on what they do best.  

Success comes from staying true to yourself, adapting as conditions change, and making meaningful connections with enough of the right people. Not everyone needs to like you, your music, or your political philosophies. As a business, you don’t need to offer a huge range of services and spread your resources too thin; you also don’t need everyone to buy your services. You just need enough people who do.