...P.65 Toying with Success: The McFarlane Companies What personality traits do leaders like Todd McFarlane possess that distinguish them from other individuals? The McFarlane Toy Company Todd McFarlane, president and CEO of the McFarlane Companies, is an entrepreneur who understands the importance of product development. Comics, sports, toys, and rock-and-roll have all benefited from his creativity. While working many hours for low pay at Marvel Comics, he made a name for himself and became the highest paid comic book artist in the industry. But when his creativity was not been appreciated and differences arisen, not to mention his desire to own the rights to his characters, he quit and took six other artists with him and started his own company. McFarlane knew what he wanted and went for it. He knew where he wanted to be and through perseverance and hard work he stayed focused on his goal (Vision and ability). Although people predicted he would last less than a year, he kept going and first comic book sold 1.7 million copies. He had the confidence because he knew was he was good at and that drove his aspirations. He had the drive and determination to stick with his dream. He was determined to succeed. Even after he didn’t succeed as a major league baseball player he still was determined to be successful. He remained optimistic and believed he could become an entrepreneur (Self Confidence and Enthusiasm and Persistence). He had the courage to move forward and start his own...
Words: 646 - Pages: 3
...1. What personality traits do leaders like Todd McFarlane possess that distinguish them from other individuals? Todd McFarlane has task orientation ability to assembly many different artists to leave Marvel Comics in 1992 at the peak of their careers. Todd McFarlane wanted royalties from the characters that he was creating for Marvel Comics but as an Artist you only received you monthly pay check. Todd McFarlane is credit for creating a Spider-Man villain called Venom. In 1992 he left Marvel Comics too alone with other artist to create Image Comics. Todd McFarlane had the following personality traits to be a successful leader he was honest to his fellow artists; he inspired them to leave their jobs from Marvel Comics to start their own company. He was also competent in his ability to lead other artists to leave Marvel Comics and to accomplish their goals of starting a new company. 2. How have global competition and technology advances changed business conditions and leadership challenges? Many business meeting was performed behind closed doors which prevent the everyday citizen from knowing what is going on in the world. Now with things like Facebook, twitter, and MySpace have changed business conditions and leadership challenges since whatever you do now is judged in the court of public opinion. Public Opinion can destroy a person. Would Barry Bonds, Mark McGuire, Sammy Sosa or Roger Clemens be in the Baseball Hall of Fame if not the public belief that they all used...
Words: 252 - Pages: 2
...Consumer’s Attitudes of Todd McFarlane Toy in US A Research Proposal INTRODUCTION McFarlane Toys is the fifth largest action figure manufacturer in the US. Established in 1994 to manufacture and sell action figures based on founder Todd McFarlane’s comic book character Spawn, the international award-winning company has expanded into licensed products to become one of the premiere action figure producers on the planet. There is only one physical store in US which located in Arizona the headquarter of McFarlane Toys company. PROBLEM Some people complain that McFarlane Toys have quality issues that Todd McFarlane Toys Company does not replace the broke one. Also, the company announce that they don't replace or repair broken toys. If it is broken, you have to take it back to where you bought it. If you cannot get it replaced at the store, then you are just out of luck. Furthermore, there is only one physical stores which located in the headquarter of Arizona States. There is no public transportation systems where people can go there, the only method is drive car. Finally, the physical store which in Arizona branch sometimes closed without any notice. People always drive at least 40 minutes to there and upset due to their store closed without any notice in official website. OBJECTIVE Identification and analysis the characteristic of the Todd McFarlane Toys and make a proposal. Searching the literature about the relationship between consumers and Todd McFarlane Toys. Find out the attitudes...
Words: 536 - Pages: 3
...Week 1 Assignment (McFarlane Companies) 1. What personality traits do leaders like Todd McFarlane possess that distinguish them from other individuals? From what I read, I believe his major traits are leadership and dedication. He was dedicated to securing the rights to his creations, and diligently did so by leaving Marvel and starting his own company. His willingness to lead his coworkers into a new company with him and make it such a huge success speaks very highly for not only his leadership skills but also his dedication to the art he wanted to produce. 2. How have global competition and technology advances changed business conditions and leadership challenges? Everything is just seconds away. By sitting at a desk, logging on to a computer, engaging a conference call, or watching the news live via T.V. and internet, one can have all the information they are looking for in an instant; this in turn tends to make the world a faster place in general. On a business level, this means decisions can no longer be made over time, but tend to be made in an instant. Therefore technological advances have changed leadership practices profoundly. No longer is it the norm for a boss to say, “Have that on my desk by Monday”, it is usually, “I need a decision by lunch!” PERSONAL CONCLUSION Todd McFarlane had a dream initially to be a baseball star and it did not pan out. He then pursued a career that most view as risky or unstable, but persevered because it was a passion...
Words: 364 - Pages: 2
...McFarlane Case McFarlane had a drive and knew exactly what he wanted to do in his life. He didn’t let a misfortune not playing baseball stop him from becoming somebody. He used his other interest and love for super heroes and made it a successful business. McFarlane knew that this was what he wanted to do and stuck with it through the long hours and low pay, until it finally paid off for him and was able to start his own business. The personality traits that McFarlane possess are drive, compassion and charisma he took a hobby and made it into a career. Todd McFarlane now the CEO of McFarlane Companies. He shows great leadership for anyone trying to start out in the business and wanted to open there own. With time and dedication it can happen. Many businesses change or do not over time and you have to be able to keep up with the times. Everything now is based on technology and so you have to be able to provide that to your consumers. Majority of the world has access to the internet via computer or cell phone so you need to make your product accessible the same way. For instance, McFarlane makes comic books and he even launched a website for his comic book character Spawn do fans can communicate with each other and him as well. Being more global with technology just helps business for the future since the computers are taking over. Going on the internet is easy access to books and comics if necessary. It is and adjustment for some people that may be a challenge...
Words: 286 - Pages: 2
...McFarlane had ambition and knew exactly what path he wanted to take life. He didn’t let the misfortune of not playing baseball stop him from becoming successful. He used his other interest and love for super heroes and made it a thriving business. McFarlane knew that this was what he wanted to do and stuck with it through the intense long hours and low wages, until it finally paid off for him and was able to start his own business. The personality traits that McFarlane possess are drive, compassion and charisma he took a hobby and made it into a career. Todd McFarlane is now the CEO of McFarlane Companies. He shows great leadership and inspiration for anyone with aspirations of starting out their own business. With time, patience and dedication many things are possible. I can relate to this with my own small business that I started March of 2009. It takes a significant amount of passion to become successful and somewhat of an entrepreneur mindset to make this all manifest. Due largely to competition and technology changing and become more commonly used globally, business leaders as well as world leaders have to become more technologically sound in order to keep their business or country functioning and in the Global marketplace. This makes them more competitive, being ahead of the game. Many businesses may or may not change over time and you have to be able to innovate and keep up with modern times. Everything now is based on technology and so you have to be able...
Words: 389 - Pages: 2
