Cirque du Soleil: innovative partnerships

By the time COVID-19 arrives in March 2020, over 200 million people have attended one of the thousands of shows presented by Cirque du Soleil in over 450 cities in some 60 countries. In Las Vegas, seven permanent shows had helped transform the city into the world's capital of family entertainment. This small business, now a multinational corporation, employed over 5,000 people. The life stories and personal accounts in this book reveal the fascinating lives of the innovative artists and their collaborators who created or helped develop this unique company in circus history.

Gilles Ste-Croix played the role of initiating entrepreneur. Over the years, this artist with a universal culture has developed an interest in open-air theatrical activities. He will play a leading role in initiating and creating entertainment activities that will serve to mobilize the band of boute-en-train of which he is a member.

Another, slightly younger artist followed suit. Guy Laliberté has emerged as a structuring entrepreneur and leader, carrying on the momentum and putting in place a framework, a structure that will allow a company to emerge. His determination to support the company's internationalization will know no bounds.

A third member of the team, Daniel Gauthier, became the innovative facilitator. He designed and provided the administrative and organizational support that enabled the company to set up and run shows on an ongoing basis. Together with Guy Laliberté, he became partner-owner of the company.

Robert Blain, FCPA, was Vice-President Finance and then Chief Financial Officer. He will work creatively to ensure innovative management of his field. He is one of the imaginative facilitators who have helped build this unusual company, which doesn't fit into any existing business category.

The author shares his thoughts on the avalanche of innovations generated by this team's extraordinary creativity.