Joshua Bell is a child prodigy, he made his Carnegie Hall debut in 1985 with the St. Louis Symphony. He has performed with many of the world’s major orchestras, performed solo on John Corigliano’s Oscar-winning soundtrack for the film The Red Violin, made  an appearance in the movie Music of the Heart, a story about the power of music, with other notable violinists.   Bell’s instrument is a 300-year-old Stradivarius violin made in 1713  with a current market price of around USD a Million. His concert are sell out and every seat goes for not less than a USD 1000

In an experiment initiated by The Washington Post columnist Gene Weingarten, Joshua Bell donned a baseball cap and played at the Metro subway station in Washington, D.C. on January 12, 2007. The experiment was videotaped on hidden camera; of the 1,097 people who passed by, only seven stopped to listen to him, and only one recognized him. For his nearly 45-minute performance, Bell collected $32.17 from 27 passersby (excluding $20 from the passerby who recognized him).

What are the lesson learned from the Experiment?

1. Package, Position and Presentation: PPP is extremely important.  If you want to be millionaire; project yourself to be a millionaire.  Dress like a millionaire, act like millionaire, visit places millionaire’s visit and be in the company of millionaires. Joshu at stations was poorly PPP (Dress, location and time) for his talent.  It has been observed that an item packaged in two different version invites two different response.  Lesson learned: PACKAGE, POSITION AND PRESENT YOURSELF FOR MAXIMUM IMPACT.
2. Recognize the Power of Media:  To be recognized promptly for your talent you must be seen; you must be in the eyes of your audience all the time.  Else audience will be oblivious.  Hence media is very important.  If media had not recorded this event I would not have known who is Joshua Bell is and posted this post ?  Media equals you in the print and video. Lessons learned: USE THE POWER OF MEDIA.
3. Social Pressure:  We are influenced by Society, by the people around us.  People passed by and people passed by Joshua at the station.
4. Team support:  To succeed faster you need a horse (better team).  A better teacher, a better mentor and a better Manager.  Lesson:  HIRE AND SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE BEST.  At stations Joshua did not have a Team to promote.
5.  On a FLIP  Note this experiment raised several questions ?
   1. In a common-place environment, at an inappropriate hour, do we perceive beauty?
   2. If so, do we stop to appreciate it?
   3. Do we recognize talent in an unexpected context?
   4.  One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:
      1. If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made . . ..
      2. How many other things are we missing as we rush through life?
      3. Lesson learned: Slow down and admire the world around you.  Don’t let precious moments  slip by.

Enjoy watching the Video.