Turning Your Business Into a NeverEnding Story:

What can Save You From the Swamp of Despair?

I am not sure if this should have had a trigger warning, is it even possible to watch this scene without a few tears?

I would love to talk endlessly about the movie but I am trying my hand at a metaphor. Artax the steed of Atreyu, struggling to get through the Swamp of Sadness. The weight of setbacks and challenges feels overwhelming - perhaps products are not made on time or his sales targets are not being met, and as much as he tries to push forward, the business -Horse I mean horse seems to sink deeper. But if Artax is the business who represents Atreyu?

Fifteen years ago, I attended a networking event hosted by Paul Sewell of Sewell Group , and something he said has stuck with me ever since: "When things go wrong and times get hard, it isn’t spreadsheets that pull you out of problems—it’s the people and culture."

It’s a reminder that while the data is essential, it’s your team—their dedication, creativity, and resilience—that truly drives success. When the swamp of challenges rises, it’s your culture that will pull your business out, just as Atreyu did for Artax.

Atreyu, in this metaphor, is the culture you’ve built, the shared purpose that keeps everyone moving forward. When teams feel connected and inspired, they’re the ones who make sure your business doesn’t sink under the weight of difficulties.

To navigate through tough times, it’s worth asking: Is your culture strong enough to pull you through the swamp? Are your people empowered and motivated to keep going when things get tough?

If you work on your Culture you might just create your own Never Ending Story