When you think of the Grateful Dead the first thing you probably think about is tie-dye, Volkswagen buses and, of course, drugs, sex, and rock and roll. What you probably don’t think of is that the Grateful Dead invented social media. Or that for an extraordinary thirty years the Dead improvised a business plan and realized their vision – all while making huge profits. Deadhead and business scholar Dr. Barry Barnes, author of the book Everything I Know About Business I Learned From the Grateful Dead: The Ten Most Innovative Lessons from a Long, Strange Trip proves that the Dead’s influence on the business world will turn out to be a significant part of their legacy. Without intending to, the band pioneered business and leadership ideas and practices that were subsequently embraced by American corporations. The Dead were masters of “strategic improvisation” – the ability to adapt to changing times and circumstances – and their success lay precisely in their commitment to creating and delivering superior customer value, incorporating and establishing a board of directors early on, giving away their product for free to increase demand, founding a merchandising division, and constant change and relentless variation. Listen in as we discuss how one of the most popular bands of all time did it – and how entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies alike can use these innovative business lessons from the Dead’s illustrious career.