Created by the legendary Stan Lee more than 50 years ago, Spider-Man has been a favorite of innumerable comic book fans and generated more than $4 billion at the box office worldwide.
The latest installment of the Marvel Comics’ franchise, Spider-Man: Homecoming raked in $117 million domestically and more than a quarter billion dollars in sales globally on its opening weekend, according to the-numbers.com.
Here are three characteristics that entrepreneurs can learn from Spider-Man: Homecoming:
Harness Your ‘Super Powers’
As fans of the comic book character well know, Peter Parker was your typical high school student before he was bit by a genetically altered spider on a field trip to Oscorp Lab. The bite ultimately gave him his signature superhero powers and abilities to fight super villains.
While chances are that most small business owners haven’t experienced such a life-altering event, most entrepreneurs have come to a self-realization to a particular area in which their skills are superior. Whether it is graphic design, developing technology, or an understanding grasp of numbers, it is important to leverage that skillset that gives your company a distinct advantage. While Spider-Man uses his superhero powers to defend the city from evil, entrepreneurs must enlist their own abilities to generate profits for their companies.
Build Networks with Strategic Partners
In Captain America: Civil War, Parker established a unique bond with Tony Stark, the billionaire inventor of electromechanical suits of armor and alter ego of Iron Man. Stark becomes a valuable cohort to Spider-Man in the latest installment of the Marvel Comics superhero movies.
Utilizing his skills in designing superhero suits, Stark engineers Spider-Man’s new hi-tech costume, which comes equipped with drones, Taser webs, and other advanced gadgets. This proved to be a game-changer for Spider-Man while battling villains.
In any industry, one of the keys to building a successful business is networking. Strategically combining forces with other businesses or professionals can take a company to the next level. Whether the partnership provides a greater volume of leads or an opportunity to work together on projects, it can be of tremendous value to a company. When done well, partnerships can increase a business’s visibility and profit margins. Thus, networking can put a company on the fast track to sustained success.
Overcome Adversity by Beating The Competition
Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes, praised by some film critics as one of the best Marvel villains, was Parker’s chief adversary in Spider-Man: Homecoming. Toomes, a former electronics engineer leverages his special abilities as The Vulture to provide for his family through unethical and dangerous activities. In an effort to make the streets safer for its residents, Spider-Man overpowers The Vulture through his superhero powers, wit, and some help from Iron Man.
Having tough competition can bring out the best in an entrepreneur’s game. The best way to beat the competition is by being the best version of yourself. Think of ways to improve on your craft. When edged by your competition in certain areas, identify why clients prefer their product/service over yours and address those areas to narrow the gap. Like Spider-Man’s revamped hi-tech costume, sometimes a reboot or expansion is needed to give you an edge. If honing your offerings means making a long-term investment, don’t be afraid to take the leap.
With a little bit of motivation, entrepreneurs can experience success by applying some of the basic principles that makes Spider-Man one of the world’s most beloved superheroes. In fact, a sequel to Spider-Man Homecoming has already been announced.