It’s the time of the year to champion the art of reading, with International Literacy Day on 8 September. Many entrepreneurs seek out biographies of business owners they admire, self-help books or strategy guides for tips, or enjoy a novel to provide some much-needed escapism after a hard day.
Inspiration can be found in the unlikeliest of places. We’ve looked at some of the nation’s most-loved classics to seek out insight into the small business world.
The Wind in the Willows
In Kenneth Grahame’s children’s tale, Toad is a conceited, arrogant creature with expensive taste and a penchant for stealing motor cars. But, despite his flaws, he is also extremely resourceful, intelligent and creative; it is these character traits that are worth lauding.
A little of Toad’s creativity could go a long way when it comes to business. Obstacles will inevitably be thrown into your path, but it’s how you pick yourself up and refocus on your goals that will make the difference between failure and success.
The Hound of the Baskervilles
A classic Sherlock Holmes tale, as he and his assistant Dr. Watson investigate the case of a fearsome hound, who they suspect is of supernatural origin. There are an unstoppable team who complement each other’s strengths. They both bring something to the table – Watson is astute, empathetic and has a good sense of humour; Holmes on the other hand is analytical, obsessive and intelligent.
In business, you need different skills and personalities in the room. Growing a small team can be difficult, but it’s important to identify where the shortcomings are in your organisation and address it. If you are trying to decide who to take to an investors presentation or a new business pitch, think of it like theatre and cast carefully. Work out who the other party will best relate to and put those people in the room.
Emma
Set in Georgian England, Emma is a classic tale that has timeless themes, which have been retold many times before – the 90s chick-flick Clueless was one of the more notable examples. The story still speaks to the way people behave today. Emma’s character development is key; she starts out making some serious mistakes and refuses to consider how other people might feel, but goes on to realise the error of her ways.
This is a lesson in personal as well as professional life: you should always consider others’ opinions, accept when you have made a mistake and try to make amends. Perhaps there is a pertinent customer service lesson here – be honest about your shortcomings, apologise and develop your offering accordingly. You may be surprised at how receptive existing and potential customers are.
Content on this page is paid for and provided by Kia Fleet sponsor of the Guardian Small Business Network Accessing Expertise hub.
