Why Britain's Got Talent is B*****ks for Business...

Now, don’t get me wrong here, the Botterill family have enjoyed Britain’s Got Talent this year. It’s great family entertainment – and I've really enjoyed watching some of the shows with Fabian, Tabitha and Sue (we were very split on whether Colin should have won though!).

It has to be said, we enjoy the earlier rounds of the show more than the live shows or the final though.

You know how it is, the acts each audition in front of the judges and they need at least three “Yes-es” in order to progress to the next round.

Things get even tenser when all those who had got through have to wait nervously to find out if they’re selected to be one of the acts appearing in the live shows.

Much gets made of the “it’s the most important day of my life…” “My life will change forever if they let me on”, etc.

It makes great telly, but underpinning the whole concept of this show is that you need someone else’s permission (in this case the four judges) in order to be successful and that, of course, just isn’t true in the real world.

I’m not talking about show business. I’m talking about real business.

Forget Simon Cowell. I promise you, you don’t need anyone else’s permission to be successful.

You don’t need anyone else to tell you that what you are doing is right, or okay, or that they approve of it or like it.

If someone close to you tells you that you're crazy and it'll never work you don't have to listen to them.

You do, of course, need to be able to sell whatever it is that you are offering and, in that context, the market will decide... but we are blessed, in this country, with a legal framework that inhibits NO ONE who wants to set up a business and succeed. It really is all down to you.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you should just carry on regardless and not listen to anybody else. As I have written many times in these emails, discernment is the most valuable asset for any would-be entrepreneur. You have to choose who you listen to carefully. But, the fact is, too many people don’t pursue their ideas because the approval of others (either explicit or implicit) wasn’t forthcoming.

There is no panel of judges who you need permission from, or endorsement of, in order to carry on or be successful.

Be bold, my friends. Be independent. Embrace responsibility.

You don’t need anyone to tell you that you are good or great.

You don’t need anyone’s permission to shout about what you do and how well you do it to your target market and the only judge that matters, in that regard, is the little voice inside your head.

Enjoy Cowell and Co by all means but don’t succumb to the need for approval from others in order for you to be fulfilled…it's not only unnecessary but nearly always unforthcoming.

Think about it.

Have a great week,

Nige