What Can We Learn From The Paris 2024 Olympics Ceremony

When Paris decided to break away from the usual, humdrum opening ceremony format for the Olympics, everyone’s expectations soared.

Paris, the city of lights, love, and endless splendour, was going to show us how it's done, right? As the preliminary show started, I even felt myself becoming emotional and then......as the ceremony unfolded, it became clear that the bold move to do something different left many spectators—whether they were lining the streets or watching from their sofas—feeling a bit deflated.

Let’s unpack what went down and what it teaches us about customer experience.

Paris chose to ditch the traditional stadium-bound spectacle and turn the city's iconic streets into a grand stage. It was a gutsy decision, bursting with potential.

Just picture the Eiffel Tower, the Seine, and those charming boulevards as the backdrop to a global event.

And yet, while the concept was revolutionary, the execution didn’t quite hit the mark.

For the folks on the streets, the spread-out nature of the ceremony made it tough to get the whole picture.

Unlike a stadium where every seat offers a view of the main event, Paris’s expansive layout meant many spectators only caught glimpses of the action.

What should have been an immersive city-wide celebration instead felt a bit scattered and disconnected.

For the millions tuning in from home, things didn’t fare much better.

Television viewers depend on slick camera work to guide them through the ceremony’s narrative. Unfortunately, the challenge of coordinating an event across multiple locations seemed to overwhelm the broadcasters. Our UK broadcasters, informed us they'd had no rehearsal and at times, through no fault of their own, it showed.

I wonder how the Olympians feel. Aside from being soaked to the bone, they didn't get to stand side by side with their fellow Olympians from around the world and experience a stadium filled with excitement, fireworks and anticipation of the what's to come in the next few weeks.

The result? A mishmash of scenes that failed to deliver a cohesive story or the awe-inspiring spectacle we’ve come to expect from Olympic ceremonies.

This highlights a crucial lesson in customer experience: no matter how ground-breaking an idea, execution is everything.

Paris’s attempt to turn the entire city into an Olympic stage was ambitious, but the disjointed presentation left viewers more puzzled than impressed.

AND HERE'S OUR LESSON AS ENTREPRENEURS, In the world of business, customer experience is everything.

Whether you're delivering a product, a service, or an unforgettable event, your intention is to leave your audience delighted and engaged.

The Paris opening ceremony perfectly illustrates what happens when ambition isn’t matched by flawless execution.

Just as the Olympic organisers needed to consider both street spectators and home viewers, businesses must understand the varied needs of their customers.

Tailoring experiences to different segments can prevent the disconnect that many felt during the ceremony.

The fragmented nature of the Paris opening ceremony underscores the importance of a consistent experience.

In customer journeys, this means ensuring every touchpoint aligns with your brand’s promise, from the first interaction to the final purchase and beyond.

While innovation is important,t should never come at the expense of execution. A cutting-edge idea that isn’t properly implemented can leave customers feeling flat, much like the Paris opening ceremony.

Reflecting on the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, it’s a stark reminder that bold ideas need meticulous planning and execution. I can't help but wonder what the organisers are thinking today, how are they feeling.

In business, just as in global spectacles, delivering a consistent and well-thought-out experience is what truly captivates and retains your audience.

So, the next time you dream up a revolutionary idea for your business, remember the lessons from Paris.

Be brave, be innovative, and above all, ensure your execution hits the nail on the head, leaving your customers not just satisfied but thoroughly impressed.