Can This Guy Teach You How to be a Better Entrepreneur?

Did you know that stopping biological attacks, nuclear threats to American cities, or presidential assassination attempts in a 24 hour period could help you become a better entrepreneur? 24′s hero, Jack Bauer has been saving America’s butt for the past 8 days straight (the show is in “real-time” so the current season, which is 8, is the eighth day) so surely he can teach entrepreneurs something about business right?

For the uninitiated, I’ve included the opening trailer from one of the past seasons to give you an idea of just how cool, Jack Bauer is. We’ll count down the 24 reasons why he’s a better entrepreneur than you after the video. Enjoy.

And, without further adieu, here are 24 Reasons Why Jack Bauer is a Better Entrepreneur than YOU;

#24. Jack Doesn’t Play – If you had to stop an imminent nuclear attack on Manhattan within 24 hours you wouldn’t play either! Successful entrepreneurs are serious about taking their products, services, and businesses to the next level, are you?

Tip: Keep a business journal and keep up with your ideas, marketing plans, or whatever comes to mind with you at all times. Stop playing with your vision.

#23. He’s Intense! – One of Jack’s most loved attributes is his intensity. It’s said that intensity fuels your passion just as passion fuels your success (I said that by the way). Are you fueling the passion for your business with your intensity? That doesn’t mean you walk around screaming or mad. It means, your burning desires for success lights a fire under your feet!

#22. Jack is Extremely Passionate – Jack Bauer has been saving the world (without rest by the way) for 8 days straight . . . there’s got to be more than a little passion in him somewhere. How passionate are you about succeeding in your business? Are you willing to work long nights, sacrifice, and give more than anyone because you love it? If not, you just won’t be successful.

#21. He’s Resourceful – In almost every season of 24 you’ll see Jack get captured (or trapped) by terrorist and escape by using the environment around him. How resourceful are you? Are you maximizing the tools currently in your possession?

Tip: Don’t spend unnecessary money on a new computer, upgrade the one you have! It’s far cheaper to upgrade than buy a new one. Also, check out Dell and HP outlet computers. If you’re lucky, you’ll find an older model that can be upgraded and perform just as well as newer models.

#20. Jack isn’t Afraid to Ask for Help – Whenever Jack gets into a bind he looks to computer analyst and friend, Chloe O’Brian for help. She’s helped him get out of more jams than a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Are you allowing others to help you on your road to success? It’s ok to ask for help . . . I promise it won’t make you look anything less than really smart.

Speaking of smart . . .

#19. Jack is a Smart Guy - I’m not sure if he’s got a college degree or not, but he always manages to come up with a solution on the fly and in the moment. Do your wits kick in when there’s an issue with a client’s order? Can you act quickly under pressure? Thinking on your feet will be key to being a smart small business owner.

#18. He’s Wise – Jack knows a lot about taking counter-terrorist action, he’s only gotten better at it through each season of the show. What’s great about this last season is that you can really tell that he’s the wise and trustworthy agent the entire U.S. relies on. As you gain some experience in operating your business you’ll need those lessons to help you in the challenges ahead. Remember, lessons learned in the past hold treasures more valuable than gold. . . or weapons grade nuclear material.

#17. Jack is Trustworthy – Everyone, even the President of the United States trusts Jack Bauer to get the job done. In seasons past his name would issue doubt but now, it’s the only name anyone trusts. How trustworthy are you?  Do clients have any doubt that you’ll do exactly what you say you’ll do? Remember, it’s hard to earn someone’s trust but it’s easy to lose it . . .

#16. Jack Doesn’t Trust Anyone – On the other end of the trust spectrum, Jack doesn’t have any for anyone other than a select few (less than 4 people in this current season – the President being #4!). With plot twists filled to the brim with double-crosses, back-stabbers, moles, and shady characters can you blame him? As an entrepreneur it’s extremely important that you don’t trust your visions (business ideas) with everyone.

A Short Story: I once started a video-game tournament company (playing console games tournament style with live entertainment) and I shared my idea with a mentor. Months later my mentor had successfully implemented my idea. I was beyond sick once I got wind of the news. So, be careful with who you share your ideas with.

#15. Jack Knows How to Use a Weapon – I’m not a gun advocate or anything, but a weapon is a tool to a means to whatever end you will it to be (whether it be to defend or destroy). Are you maximizing tools such as Twitter, Facebook, and others to reach your target market? If not, you may be missing out on conversations your customers want to have with your business.

#14. He Is a Great Leader – Jack Bauer is used to issuing orders to local police, CTU (Counter-Terroist Unit), secret service, and FBI officers. He leads by example and with a “my foot first” mentality. Being a small business leader is more than barking orders, it’s about putting your people first; and your needs second.

#13. Jack is Always in the Company of Great People – The company you keep says a lot about you. I’ll go so far as to say that they will have a direct effect on your success. Jack always has his trusted CTU (Counter-Terrorist Unit) friends near-by or a phone call away. In many instances they were the ones keeping Jack from going too far off the deep end. . .

#12. Jack’s Network is Presidential – If Jack Bauer needs to get a full pardon for a terrorist who is going to spill the beans on an impending attack he calls the President of the United States directly. As a matter of fact, I believe, Jack has the President of the United States, FBI, and NSA directors all on speed dial. Who’s in your network? Are you maximizing your connections? Engage with your fans on Facebook, followers on Twitter, and local network groups and foster the value of powerful connections!

#11. Jack Is Learning to be a Better Family Man – Family has always been a touchy subject for Jack Bauer. In season one his wife and daughter were kidnapped and he’s fallen in and out of favor with them ever since. Many times the issue was of him saving the world instead of his marriage and family. Don’t get so caught up in your business that you don’t handle business at home. Period.

#10. Jack Knows When to Say No – If Jack knows a better solution to a problem, it doesn’t matter what government organization you’re affiliated with, who you represent, or your title . . . he’s going to do it his way. Sometimes the customer is not always right. It’s these times which you have to use your best judgement for the benefit of your client.

A Short Story: A customer wanted me to design a logo and requested some off the wall colors and graphics to be included. I totally neglected the client’s ideas and ran with my own (hey, my name was going to be attached to the work!) and needless to say, they were shocked, a little upset that they didn’t get what they wanted, but LOVED my design. Sometimes it pays be a rule breaker. Speaking of breaking the rules . . .

#9. Jack Doesn’t Play by the Rules - Jack following the rules of engagement is like putting out Thanksgiving dinner in front of me early and telling me not to touch it. . . it just won’t happen! As it pertains to entrepreneurship you can’t always play fair or by the rules because your competition isn’t either. Sometimes you’ll have to deviate from the plan, chart a course off map, or find a loop hole to stay in the game.

#8. He Has a Sixth-Sense for Danger – It says a lot if you’re capable of ambushing Jack Bauer. The guy’s spidey-sense tingles on a rate that puts Peter Parker’s sense to shame. In business not everyone has your success or best interest in mind. Stay alert and watch out for get rich quick schemes, pyramid schemes, or other ploys to get you to surrender your dreams.

#7. Jack Knows how to Defuse a Bomb – I’m definitely not suggesting you take any bomb defusing classes, but surely, it’s a skill that would come in handy, right? There will be times when a situation will have everything it needs to blow up in your face. It could be an irate customer, accounting errors, or technology woes. Whatever the case may be, stay calm and maximize every reason to defuse it!
#6. Jack Is willing to Sacrifice to Win – There’s been more than one occasion where Jack was willing to sacrifice someone’s life to save another. You definitely don’t have to go to such extremes to be successful, but you must be willing to sacrifice to make it to the top.

#5. He Doesn’t Negotiate with Terrorists – In the world of 24 Jack is always sticking a gun to a terrorist’s head and the President usually issues full pardons to get the job done. He’s a non-negotiable kind of guy and that’s why we love him. Whatever decisions you make on behalf of your business, stick to your guns and stand your ground. If someone wants to give you a couple thousand dollars for a 50% stake in the success of your business, maybe you shouldn’t negotiate. . . just saying . . .

#4. Jack is Persistent – It doesn’t matter if you’re in a hospital dieing, just been shot, or involved in a car crash, you’re going to tell Jack what he wants to know! He doesn’t stop until you do. If you need funding or seeking any other resource for your business don’t stop until you get the results you’re looking for. Persistence pays off in the end!

#3. Jack Bauer is Driven – In the world of 24 Jack has been running for 8 days straight saving the United States from unimaginable acts of terrorism. There’s something to say about a guy that keeps going even if he’s having the worst week ever. How driven are you? Are you truly working hard to achieve the vision, God gave you?

#2. Jack isn’t Selfish – The only reason Jack Bauer saves lives is because he understands what’s really at stake. If he fails it’s not just a few people that will die . . . it’s thousands. There is a universal key to success and that is the understanding that your gift, ability, business, isn’t about nor is it for you. It’s to bless and benefit others. Keep this in mind the next time you “don’t feel like working . . .”

#1. Jack Can Stop a Terrorist with His Bare Hands! – Ok, so this doesn’t really relate to anything entrepreneurial . . . but, how cool is that?!

Jack Bauer has been handling his business (as far as stopping national terrorist acts) for quite a few days now. I hope you’ll take the examples and entrepreneurial lessons here and apply them to your life and business. Success is yours if you really want. The question is, how bad do you want it? Bad enough to stay up 8 days straight and save the United States from biological, nuclear, and other terrorist attacks? What are your thoughts? Chime in and leave them in the comments below.

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