Business Finance - Management Assignment 3: Leaders

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Music Industry Leaders

Sylvia Rhone, President of Epic Records

The Music Industry Leader I chose to discuss is Sylvia Rhone. She is one of the most renowned industry

professionals becoming the President of Epic Records. Working with a busload of prime-time artists throughout

the years; like Future and Kelly Rowland, she has molded her experience. One of the reasons I chose Sylvia

Rhone is because we have multiple things in common. For example, we are both African- American women in

the industry. Not only are we a minority in the country, but we are also minorities in the industry. Being that

women are the less dominant gender; it is rare for a woman to take a leadership role in a male dominated

industry. We share similarity in that, we are both women willing to exceed social norms. I hold Sylvia Rhone as

an idol because of the way she handles all her responsibilities. Having responsibilities on a magnitude of;

signing/ declining artists, coaching artists, branding them; are major roles to have.

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Sylvia Rhone’s Greatest Accomplishments

It is evident that Rhone’s career started before my generation; and has spiraled into the 21st Century. Sylvia

broke records upon arrival, becoming the first woman spearhead in the industry. In 1990 she was elected

President and CEO of Eastwest Records; the first black woman. Rhone’s work opened the door to several high

profile managerial throughout the years. Rhone received a degree in economics from the Wharton School of

Finance at the University of Pennsylvania. Rhone’s distinguished education gave her the gull and insight needed

to give artists a special, hands on experience. And through her exemplary performance a decade later; she was

admitted to the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame.

She also received a Trumpet Award for broadcasting in 2004. These are only examples of how Sylvia Rhone’s

career is spiraling off the charts. She motivates me to believe that people behind-the-camera play equal roles as

the people on camera.

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Sylvia Rhone’s Biggest Business Failures

Granted, Sylvia Rhone has had a marvelous run in this industry. She has had many successes over the years; but

she has also had to overcome a few failures. If we take a step back, we’d realize that nobody is perfect and that

everyone makes mistakes. Being responsible for a person’s career is an enormous job to have. Knowing when

to sign artists and drop them is also a part of her job. What people fail to realize is that it’s not personal, it’s

strictly business. If the artist’s music doesn’t fit the label’s sound, they might not be a good fit. If the artist

doesn’t brand themselves how their label want them to be branded they might not be a good fit. And If the artist

is unwilling to work diligently, they will not be a good fit. Many have vilified Sylvia Rhone for making the

tough decisions. Sometimes employees don’t like the boss because of the hard choices they have to make, but

regardless the boss is still the boss. Rhone finds the talent, keeps them up on trends, leads them in the right

direction and determines the artist’s next move. She could be friendlier and more open-minded when dealing

with careers. But she’s obviously doing something right.

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What have I learned about Sylvia Rhone’s accomplishments/failures?

Throughout my research, I’ve found that Sylvia Rhone is very experienced. She has been in the music/

entertainment industry for 39+ years. Having so many years under her belt, she has made the industry her

footstool. I find it amazing that in generations before mine, she was there paving the way. She’s worked with

artists of my oldest siblings’ time. And as time progresses she moves into the new eras as well. Through her

failures, I learned that it takes a special person to do what she does. Being able to work with superstar

celebrities and being able to deal with them like they’re ordinary people, shows a seasoned professional. Being

able to tell artists what to do, and how to do it; is major. I love the way Sylvia Rhone handles her business. She

is a respected person in the industry; and she is also powerful. She is the ambitious type like myself. And one

challenge doesn’t’ settle her desire; she approaches multiple challenges head on. She teaches me to be confident

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and believe in myself no matter what. She showed me that if you believe in yourself long enough and hard

enough, that doors will began opening.

What leadership qualities does Sylvia Rhone have?

One great leadership skill that Sylvia Rhone has is her ability to be headstrong. Since her early childhood,

Rhone always knew she wanted to play a role in the music business. Growing up she was surrounded by

musicians and music eventually became her passion. She didn’t know this at the time but her determined and

headstrong ways, challenged the social norms. She was already the first woman to take a major position in a

male dominated industry such as this. Every day Sylvia challenged the norms, she even challenged the dress

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code stereotype. This made it difficult for her at first, but people soon began flocking to her when they learned

she wasn’t just a conformist. Small qualities like this make Rhone leader.

Sylvia Rhone’s Perspective Vs. Consumer’s Perspective

I’m sure Sylvia Rhone’s perspective on the music industry would differ from that of a consumer. Rhone is on

the administrative side of the industry. She would mainly be concerned with sales quotas and if they’re being

met. Concerned with the branding of the artist and if that brand matches the label’s idea. It is her job to make

sure the artist is properly marketed as an individual, and as a product. She would also be concerned with if the

artist is appreciating or depreciating in sales value. On the other hand, a consumer’s primary focus would be

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the music. The consumers do not work behind the scenes with the artists; so, they are not concerned with the

logistics. People who buy music two main focuses are; is the music good and does it have a meaning. Although

that doesn’t really matter either, because people still sing along to trash music with no meaning as well.

Everything is contingent on how well the Sylvia Rhone’s of the industry do their jobs.

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APA Citations

Sylvia Rhone at awards [Photograph]. (n.d.).

http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/321619-Sylvia-Rhone

Sylvia Rhone accomplishment [Photograph]. (n.d.). https://alchetron.com/Doug-Morris-

268438-W

Billboard Staff. (n.d.). Top Women In Music. Retrieved from

http://www.billboard.com/articles/events/women-in-music/6784819/women-in-music-2015-top-

50-list

Sylvia Rhone: Black Entrepreneurs, Black CEO, Black Executive, Black Billionaires,

Entrepreneur Profile. (n.d.). Retrieved March 16, 2017, from

https://www.blackentrepreneurprofile.com/profile-full/article/sylvia-rhone/

Sylvia Rhone Appointed President of Epic. (n.d.). Retrieved March 17, 2017, from

http://prince.org/msg/8/406286?pr