He took a beloved classic and messed it all up.
He changed the rhythm. He altered the melody. Then he totally got the lyrics wrong. If you sat there with a scorecard to count the mistakes, it wouldn’t be pretty.
Or you could just sit there and listen to his most beautiful rendition and smile.
The song I’m talking about is “Over the Rainbow,” and the singer is Israel Kamakawiwo’ole.
You may not know the name, but you sure know his version of the song. Frankly, folks under the age of about 40 probably only know his version (sorry Judy), and it’s the most requested version by far.
I’m a great music lover. Just about all genres. Israel was on my mind because he’s been named one of the Top 50 Voices by NPR Music.
And I believe he offers us a very interesting marketing role model.
My interest isn’t about how many records he sold, although the album with the song is the #1 best-selling Hawaiian album of all time.
What Israel had…what we all should have…is what Hawaiians call “mana.” Mana is energy, your presence. They believe it comes from the elements like the earth, sky, ocean, your God and all that is inside us. When Israel sang, his mana flowed out of him.
When your customers meet you…in person, on the phone, in your emails…does your mana show? Does it flow? Do they remember your presence?
I’m not talking about showmanship or taking on a big personality that’s not true to you. Rather it’s a confidence in your ability, a preeminence in what you have to offer, an empathy for your customers’ situation.
When your true, authentic mana shows—flows—your customers will sit down, listen and smile, too. Even when you blow the lyrics and change the tune. Your mana will trump it all.
How do you find you mana? Better yet how do you let your mana shine and flow?
It begins as you work “on” your business, rather than “in” it. Your mana doesn’t flow when you’re nose down and deep in doing-the-do. It flows when you give it room to grow, breathe and advance.
When was the last time you enabled your mana to grow, breathe and advance? When do you work “on” your business?
Go Google Israel’s name right now and listen to his beautiful version. Don’t tell me that it doesn’t put a smile on your face today!
One man. One voice. One ukulele. And a whole lot of mana.
Go forth and do great things,
Martha Hanlon and Chris Williams
P.S. For more insights in building your preeminence—your mana—and to work “on” your business under the tutelage of experts, join us in the Customers Are The Answer Marketing Workshop, starting September 12.
P.S. For more insights in building your preeminence—your mana—and to work “on” your business under the tutelage of experts, join us in the Customers Are The Answer Marketing Workshop, starting September 12.