Cirque du Soleil:
The Circus of the Sun Shines
Bethany Caswell
DeVry University
Abstract
Since 1984 Guy Laliberté has been building Cirque du Soleil, an artistic circus that has amazed thousands of people in hundreds of towns. Cirque has worked hard on keeping their strengths unbeatable and weaknesses miniscule. In the process of making their weaknesses turn into strengths they have taken advantage of many opportunities available to them. Cirque has done so well at expanding their horizon is it difficult to find opportunities they have not taken advantage of; so, where will they go from here? They do have a few threats; yet even these do not seem to injury Cirque du Soleil. They may need to watch negative media attention and keep founder Laliberté under wraps. Although with Cirque’s popularity, little will affect this strong company that takes advantage of all opportunities and turns their weaknesses into strengths.
Cirque du Soleil: The Circus of the Sun Shines
1. Mission Statement: Invoke, provoke and evoke the imagination, the senses and the emotions of people around the world.
2. Organizational strengths/weaknesses a) Strengths i. Unique: Cirque Du Soleil, French for Circus of the Sun, was founded in 1984 by Guy Laliberté in Baie-Saint-Paul, Canada for the 450th anniversary of Canada’s’ discovery celebration in Quebec City. (Roux, 2009) Cirque du Soleil now boasts 5 offices around the world: Amsterdam, Las Vegas, Singapore, and the headquarters in Montreal. The show that provides the audience with a mix of circus arts and street entertainment is a visual feast of colors, costumes and performances. ("About Cirque du Soleil") There truly is no other show like it on Earth. It is not like a traditional circus. It does not contain a center ring or have a parade of animals performing tricks. Cirque du Soleil shows do however contain something not common to an everyday circus, a
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