BUSINESS LESSONS from10

Hit  Comedy-Drama  series,  Orange  is  The  New  Black,  

follows  the  lives  and  stories  of  women  inmates    

at  Litchfield  Federal  Penitentiary.

This show is rated

TV-MASome content in this

presentation may not be

suitable for children.

WARNING:

Spoiler Alert !

As  they  serve  their  time,  the  women’s  entrepreneurial  spirits  shine  through.  Here  are  some  lessons  we  can  learn  from  their  “business  ventures”  and  interactions  with  each  other.  

CommunicationLesson 1:

Prior  to  her  incarceration  for  involvement    with  the  mafia,  Red  ran  a  popular  neighborhood  restaurant  called  Dmitri’s.

While  serving  time,  she  relies  on  her  family  to  

keep  up  business.  However,  without  consistent  

communication  with  them,  Dmitri’s  is  shut  down.  

Communication

with your team.

unless you haveremotely

-a small business

Great

You can’t successfully run

ResearchLesson 2:

Gloria  is  new  Master  Chef  of  Litchfield’s  

kitchen.  When  she  meets  new  inmate  Vee,  

she  makes  a  deal:  Bake  a  chocolate  cake  

in  exchange  for  cigarettes.  

Gloria  falls  for  the  crooked  trade  since  

she  did  not  do  more  research  on  Vee,  

and  ends  up  with  stale  cigarettes.

your Supplier,or you may get screwed.

Research

Investor AppealLesson 3:

Red  no  longer  has  her  kitchen,  but  she  finds  a  new  place  of  business,    the  abandoned  greenhouse!

By  appealing  to  the  deputy  administrator’s  green  thumb,  

she  is  allowed  to  revamp  the  space  to  her  liking.

Try to appeal

you.“Get”

to investors that

CompetitionLesson 4:

Red  attempts  to  get  rid  of  Vee,  but  can’t  go  through  with  it.    Vee  then  asks  for  a  truce.

Red  trusts  Vee’s  word  too  easily  and  is  double  crossed,  leaving  her  seriously  injured.

don’tunderestimate

your competition.

NetworkingLesson 5:

Piper  lets  her  ex-girlfriend,  Alex,    back  into  her  life,  but  is  later  betrayed  by  Alex  when  she  goes  on  trial.

Vause  is  released  from  her  sentence  while  Chapman  gets  left  behind.

be careful

about who you let into

YOUR network!

WorkplaceLesson 6:

Relations

 Red  wins  over  the  elderly  clique  and  eventually  her  old  clique  by  offering  them  something  more  than  just  material  rewards.

Vee  gains  power  with  her  clique,  through  intimidation  and  manipulation.

In  the  end,  Red’s  clique  remains  loyal,  while  Vee’s  

clique  realizes  her  true  motives  and  ice  her  out.

A symbiotic

BOSS/EMPLOYEE RAPPORT

boosts productivity.

Impressions

Lesson 7:

First

Taystee  is  determined  to  win  at  the  Mock  Job  Fair.    She  prepares  by  doing  lots  of  

research  and  taking  the  time  

to  choose  appropriate  attire.

With  her  ambition  and  professional  attitude,  Taystee  is  able  to  distinguish  herself  from  other  candidates  and  shine.

impression

It’s all about a good

first

making

BrandingLesson 8:

Taystee  used  to  deal  drugs  for  Vee.    In  order  to  further  

set  their  product  apart  from  others  in  the  market,    

she  suggests  using  a  unique  stamp  and  name.

“Horsey-Horse,  get  it?!  Because  heroin  is  called  horse!  Before  you  know  it,    you’ve  got  a  call  brand!  ”

target audience.

Unique branding

stands out

among your

Privacy

Lesson 9:

Vee  takes  advantage  of  Suzanne,    

an  inmate  with  a  history  of  mental  problems.  

Vee  manipulates  Suzanne  so  much  that  Suzanne  is  convinced  that  she  committed  a  serious  crime  that  left  another  inmate,  Vee’s  nemesis,  seriously  injured.

is Dead

can keep

a secret…

Only Two

if one of them

Financial Control

Lesson 10:

As  Assistant  Warden,  Figueroa  seemed  to  have  a  limitless  budget  when  it  came  to  certain  personal  expenses.

She  is  caught  by  Piper  and  confronted  by  the  deputy  

administrator  for  embezzlement.  Her  only  choice  is  to  resign.

company’s

expenditures

Pay attention to your

RECAP

Have  GREAT  COMMUNICATION  with  your  team

RESEARCH  your  suppliersAppeal  to  investors  that  “GET”you

DON’T  UNDERESTIMATE  your  competition

Be  careful  who  you  let  into  your  NETWORK

Good  Boss/Employee  rapport  BOOSTS  PRODUCTIVITY

Make  a  good  FIRST    IMPRESSION

UNIQUE  BRANDING  sets  you  apart  from  the  rest

BE  CAREFUL  with  whom  you  SHARE  sensitive  information  with

PAY  ATTENTION  to  your  company’s  EXPENDITURES

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

www.articles.bplans.com/how-to-run-

a-business-in-prison-orange-is-the-

new-black-season-2-minor-spoilers/    

-Jonathan  Michael

www.netflix.com

1)

2)

3)

Sources:

www.madamenoire.com/437260/just-tried-strangle-sell-mascara-jail-10-business-lessons-can-learn-orange-new-black/      -Kimberly  Gedeon

watch season 1 and 2 of

Be on the lookout

for season 3

slated for

summer 2015

on

...

View  other  presentations  like  this  one!