Moves Like Bon Jovi

Moves Like Bon Jovi
Lisa M. Benson
CEO / Principal
PARTNER
Anyone who knows anything about
me knows I love Jon Bon Jovi. I have
every one of his albums, been on the
front row of his concert more than
once, and I know every lyric of the
Cross Road CD. This very magazine
even featured my crush as its feature
story in March/April 2009, as he was in
the process of developing an affordable
housing program in New Jersey. You
can only imagine my disappointment
to hear the voice mail left by Publisher
Linda Hoffman, explaining that he
was in her northern California office
waiting to get on the phone with me,
just to say hi.
Recently, I saw the Master Series on the
Oprah channel with an interview with
my favorite rock star in all his majesty,
and humility. While he talked about
his 30 year professional career as band
leader and business manager of his
name sake group; I couldn’t help but
to correlate his own team experiences,
with those within my own company.
His ideologies of being successful were
contributed to certain resounding
elements in all humanity, realism,
commonality, agility and gratefulness.
Engage Us:
In referencing the word realism, I was
taken aback by his practical view of
life and upbringing. He’s really just a
kid who lived across the Hudson from
New York City and all its splendor.
Somehow he was able to harness that
energy of the city, engage its music
community, but remain that youngster
in his 20’s from the two story, blue
collar neighborhood home. I saw my
own self in that message, thinking of
my Swedish, immigrant family from
the north side of Chicago and how
my own parent’s meager beginnings
are justification for my richer life
experiences.
“We’re all Frankie (referencing the
song It’s my Life, and his reference to
Frank Sintara’s ‘I did it my way’),”
begins Bon Jovi’s own description
of his music writing style and story
content, “our songs are upbeat, and
it’s you, your friend, your brother.”
Millions of young people have grown
up singing along with those heartfelt
story lines about our generation.
With that, I couldn’t help but think
about the young people in my office
who rally together each and every day
supporting our success. We have a tag
line in our office, “Another learning
opportunity”, which we apply to all
levels of management and business
operations, including myself. ‘Cause,
I might be on the top of the heap, but
find myself learning something every
day, and when that happens, it’s good
for all of us.
The technology marketplace requires
speed, fluidity, and incessant change.
Unfortunately, it’s not always that
beneficial to be the leader, or even
first to market. You just have to be
able to morph into being the best at
what you do. Kinda like, Bon Jovi.
The historical visual presentation
of his spanning career is obviously
most interesting when gauged by the
changing hair styles, starting with
the Big Hair Bands of the 1980’s,
to the professional coiffed image of
the 50-year-old business mogul and
philanthropist. He is the master of
re-creation. I’ve seen our company,
products and services, change
dramatically over these past dozen
years and the cool thing for me is that
when I look back, I don’t cringe like
he probably does.
Oh, and the grateful comment?
Enough said.
Lisa Benson is the CEO and Co-Founder of Ellipse Communications, Inc.;
the largest provider of custom applications and website development for the
Multifamily Industry. Visit the company website at www.ellipseinc.com.
In 2012, Ellipse Communications, Inc.
is partnering with the Dallas Stars Foundation, the charitable extension of
the NHL Professional Hockey Team, the Dallas Stars. The Foundation
focuses its efforts on providing support to the children of the community so
they may lead quality lives and develop into contributing members of
society. Through teamwork, interaction, and education, the Dallas Stars
Foundation works to bring together all members of the Metroplex and build
a bright future for today’s youth.
To learn more about the team and this organization,
please visit WWW.DALLASSTARS.COM
© 2012 ELLIPSE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.