Oprah Winfrey – The Story of an Entrepreneur
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THE OTHER SIDE OF OPRAH? contd...Other
controversies (such as the one surrounding the mad cow disease issue added
to the Oprah's negative publicity. However, they failed to do any major
damage to her popularity. Such was her popularity that even the critics were
shocked when she announced (in 2001) her decision to quit the show in the
near future. Oprah explained, “I am sick of people sitting in chairs stating
their problems. Then we roll the videotape, then we have our experts on the
topic. I truly do not know what to replace it with. As soon as I do, I am
pulling those people from their chairs.” She added, “I am in the ‘what's
next?'phase of my career.”
THE SHOW GOES ON
Much to the delight of her fans, Oprah changed her mind, and in mid-2002,
renewed her contract for the show till 2006. Media reports mentioned that
this was ‘typical'of Oprah as she generally changed her decisions rather
easily. Though Oprah renewed the contract, she said that she was exploring
the options she had after exiting the show. However, she was quick to add
that she would not leave TV.
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Analysts remarked that if Oprah did leave the show in
the future, her options were unlimited. A few analysts even said that
with the kind of influence and power she had, she could even some day
become the President of the US!
However, Oprah's story was not about power and influence; rather, it was
about ability and the determination to leverage entrepreneurial and
personal skills to make it big. According to analysts, the most
remarkable aspect about Oprah was the way she dealt with the success,
wealth and fame she acquired through the years. |
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It was reported that with the passage of time, Oprah was
evolving, becoming more adaptive, stronger, deeper and more spiritual. Her
admirers believed that Oprah's confidence and belief in herself was growing
as well – something that was the key to her success, first as a talk show
host, then as a businesswoman, and perhaps most importantly, as a
compassionate human being.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:
1. Explore the reasons underlying Oprah's phenomenal success as a talk show
host. What personal and inter-personal skills made her the ‘Queen of Souls'?
2. Examine Oprah's growth as a businesswoman and discuss her entrepreneurial
and leadership skills. Do you think the gut based decision making style of
Oprah is appropriate in the present business scenario? Do you think Oprah
would have been more successful as a businesswoman if she based her
decisions on sound reasoning and analysis? Justify your answer.
3. Describe the initiatives taken by Oprah to serve society? How far did
Oprah's popularity help her succeed in her philanthropic ventures? To what
extent was Harpo's performance influenced by Oprah's service initiatives?
4. Briefly comment on the criticisms leveled against Oprah. In light of the
fact that the Oprah Show was Oprah's flagship product, do you think her
decision to retire from the talk will be a good move for the Harpo group?
Justify your answer.
EXHIBIT I AWARDS WON BY OPRAH
EXHIBIT II FAVORITE TV PERSONALITIES – RANKS
ADDITIONAL READINGS & REFERENCES
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