PHOTOS

: As the co-founder of Violator Management, music industry veteran Chris Lighty has had a hand in the careers of such notable artists as <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/10/11/ll-cool-j-decoded-greatest-brand-of-all-time/">LL Cool J</a>, Missy Elliott and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, among others. Recently, he partnered with fellow music mogul <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/10/25/blue-williams-5-tips-for-success-in-business/ ">Michael “Blue” Williams</a> to form <a href="http://www.blackenterprise.com/2011/10/17/chris-lighty-blue-williams-make-a-power-move/">Primary/Violator</a>, a new full-service management, publishing and marketing firm. During his interview with BlackEnterprise.com about the merger, Lighty shared his five tips for success in business. —Brett Johnson

: <ul> <li>THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX</li> </ul> Taking a page out of the late Steve Jobs’ book, Lighty credits a part of his success in the music business to thinking different. Regardless of your industry, it’s easy to fall into the trap of trying to duplicate what’s already been done but that’s not the mark of an innovator. According to Lighty, to be truly successful in business one must be 10 steps ahead of the competition.

: <ul> <li>COURTESY STILL COUNTS</li> </ul> In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, a lot of people forget the little things that matter most in business. No matter how successful someone is or was, it’s their reputation that keeps them in a position of respect. Part of Lighty’s personal strategy is to remain a sense of common courtesy by always making a concerted effort to “return all emails and calls.”

: <ul> <li>ALWAYS ADAPT TO YOUR ENVIRONMENT</li> </ul> Working in the music industry, Lighty has the luxury of being more lax when it comes to his dress code, but he understands that there’s a time and a place for everything. “Know your environment and learn to adapt within your environment,” he says. “If you go to a bank, dress like you’re at the bank. If you’re going to a concert, dress like you’re going to the concert. But don’t dress like you’re going to the concert if you’re trying to get money out of the bank.”

: <ul> <li>BELIEVE IN YOUR BUSINESS OR FAIL AT YOUR BUSINESS</li> </ul> Whether you’re at the top of your industry or the bottom, your belief in what you’re doing should remain constant. No good businessman can expect consumers to have faith in himself or his product if he doesn’t. “Really believe in everything that’s coming out from your operation,” says Lighty. “Believe in everything that [you’re] doing.”

: <ul> <li>PERSISTENCE OVERCOMES RESISTANCE</li> </ul> If being successful were easy we’d all be millionaires. No one knows that better than those who have excelled in their careers. Never expect someone that gave their blood, sweat and tears to just give you an invitation to their inner circle; you’re going to have to work just as hard as they did to make it. “You’ve got to be persistent or nobody’s going to let you in, because you see how long it takes for the old guard to move out the way,” says Lighty. “They keep shuffling themselves around until they fall out the chair. You have to be persistent to get a spot at the table.”

Posted: November 14, 2011

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