Growing up in the 80s was an incredible experience. I spent countless hours watching movies on HBO and the VCR. I recently had the chance to reflect on these movies and how fundamental they were in preparing me for my business career. Here are seven business lessons I learned from 80s classics while I rocked acid wash jeans, a coca-cola rugby shirt, and a swatch watch.

Over the past few months, we have worked with numerous businesses to help them establish new services and design innovative customer experiences. Many of our engagements leverage the Design Thinking methodology as the basis for our interactions and clients are always intrigued by the approach. Last week I was approached by one of our customers who asked the simple questions of “what is the magic to the Design Thinking methodology. Why is it so special?”

I believe innovation is derived from collaboration and that genius comes from a group - not an individual. As organizations become more mature they become very process-oriented. This allows people to become complacent and less innovative. In short, innovation burns more calories than just following the process.

As a company grows so does its structure. A small company with under 30 employees has a less complex challenge to segment staff into functional units or practice groups. The company is small enough that everyone works together to accomplish the end goal.