Business Lessons from the Beatles and Stones at Infinum Event

We brought together Chicago’s business leaders for an evening of insights with bestselling author Rich Cohen, who explored what the Beatles and the Stones can teach today’s corporate world.

Last Thursday night, a group of local business leaders and executives gathered in the Chicago suburb of Glencoe, IL, for a memorable evening exploring the business lessons hidden in the legendary journeys of the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Featuring New York Times bestselling author and Glencoe native Rich Cohen, the event commemorated the 60th anniversary of the British Invasion with insight, humor, and a rock ‘n’ roll twist.

Close to 70 guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres and custom cocktails like the Jumping Jack Flash espresso martini and the Yellow Submarine pineapple margarita as the night unfolded into a thought-provoking exploration of the parallels between rock legends and the corporate world.

With a quintessential Beatles-Stones soundtrack, the evening offered a unique space for the local business community – encompassing a range of industries from tech to healthcare – to connect in an informal and fun setting. The goal was to give the community a chance to meet, share ideas, and find inspiration in a novel topic, reminding everyone of the creativity and passion behind every business. 

The event was organized by Infinum and represented by Joe Rosenthal, a longtime music enthusiast and former editor at Rolling Stone. “This time, we didn’t want to do an AI panel or talk about the best practices in IoT,” Rosenthal explained. “There’s definitely a place for that, but connecting over passion points like music is a fascinating way to get into other topics, like business, creativity, or inspiration. Plus, it’s more fun for a night out,” he pointed out, explaining that the event’s goal was to energize the audience and spark new ways of thinking about their own businesses.

The central part of the event was Rich Cohen’s talk titled “What business leaders can learn from the Beatles vs. Stones,” followed by a lively Q&A session. 

Back in the 1960s, some – including the bands themselves – may have thought they’d only be around a few years, a passing fad. However, six decades later, the Beatles and the Stones have proven themselves to be both business and cultural juggernauts.

As Cohen’s talk emphasized, the two bands had very different approaches to work and creativity. The Beatles embraced individuality, and as a result, the group burned out quickly, with the founders going on to successful solo careers – much like serial entrepreneurs. The Stones, on the other hand, stuck to their blues formula from the very start and embraced an all-powerful CEO model, with Mick Jagger calling the shots for the group.

“When I went out to cover the Voodoo Lounge tour for Rolling Stone in 1994, it was clear right away that this was a business story,” said Cohen, explaining what inspired his unique take on two landmark careers in music history. “Jagger took a huge interest in the money-making aspect of the show, which caused me to see bands in a different way. Those who wanted only art and no business have gone the way of the Grass Roots.”

An important takeaway from Cohen’s talk was that there are lessons for companies in both approaches. Business leaders need to understand the strengths and pitfalls of the two models and know how and when to apply them. 

While both the Beatles and the Rolling Stones have been an inspiration for music fans for decades, drawing business lessons from them might seem a somewhat unusual idea.

“I think business leaders are inundated with thought leadership material – LinkedIn, podcasts, TV, papers,” Cohen explained. “It’s sometimes helpful to get outside the box from a content angle, and that’s what we did here.”

Cohen’s return to his native Glencoe added a nostalgic and personal touch to the evening. Reflecting on how he performed ‘Jumpin’ Jack Flash’ and ‘Honky Tonk Woman’ with friends in their junior high talent shows, he noted how sharing this perspective in his hometown made the night a “beautiful full-circle” experience. 

Cohen’s career spans multiple New York Times bestsellers and writing for notable publications, including Rolling Stone, The New Yorker, The Atlantic, and Harper’s Magazine. Currently, he is an Editor at Large at Air Mail, a columnist for The Wall Street Journal, and – a shameless brag – a serial guest blogger for Infinum.

When it comes to the Rolling Stones, Rich shapes his insights not only through his deep knowledge of music history but also through firsthand experience. Besides joining the group on tour during his time at Rolling Stone, he co-created the 2016 HBO series Vinyl alongside Martin Scorsese, Mick Jagger, and Terence Winter. 

With an audience of senior decision-makers, music lovers, and fans of Rich’s work (sometimes, all in one!), the evening’s Q&A sparked a lively discussion. Questions ranged from managing team tensions to the role of disruptive elements like Yoko Ono in the Beatles’ story to which modern companies most resemble the Beatles and Stones today. The questions were so engaging that the session could have continued for hours, but time constraints finally brought it to a close.

As Beatles and Stones music played on, guests continued to mingle, exploring a curated collection of Rolling Stones memorabilia. The exhibit included a tour poster from the concert held precisely 60 years earlier to the day (October 24, 1964) and an unused ticket to the Stones’ very first American show. The exceedingly rare artifacts were provided by local collector Barry Slotnick. By the end of the evening, each attendee left with a copy of Cohen’s The Sun, the Moon, and the Rolling Stones as a keepsake.

Feedback on the event was overwhelmingly positive, with several guests expressing hope that similar events would follow.

“Cohen’s firsthand experience with life on the road with the Rolling Stones was very insightful, and there were numerous takeaways from comparing the two bands–whether in branding, team dynamics, or strategy,” said Joshua R. Markus, Esq.

Reflecting on the event’s success, Rosenthal noted, “I’m really happy with how it went. The vibe in the room was wonderful, with laughter, energy, and tons of engagement. The Uptown venue was perfect – beautifully designed, great food and drinks, and top-notch service. The whole team did an outstanding job, and Rich was simply fantastic.”

In true rock ‘n’ roll style, guests lingered even after the bar closed, soaking up the ambiance and conversations sparked by the shared insights. Reflecting on the British Invasion 60 years later proves that innovation, chemistry, and endurance are powerful forces – and last Thursday night, those lessons took on fresh relevance for today’s business leaders.