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Read a Book, Anywhere, Anytime
Posted October 6, 2008
Read a Book, Anywhere, Anytime
The restaurant had a large crowd, mostly due to out of town folks racing from Hurricane Gustuv. It was just one of those unexpected moments. Family night out… with mom, dad, and teen-age son deep in conversation. She was all dressed up, hair pulled back with a head-band and the cutest pink heart bracelet, fluttering with her every move. She really wasn’t paying any attention to the adult family conversation or to anything else that was going on around her.
Elizabeth was reading a book. Not texting, not talking, not playing a video game, not coloring…she was reading a book. I was carried away by the look on her face as she turned every page, waiting to see what was ahead for the main character. The book was a mystery, Junie B. Jones Is Not A Crook, by Barbara Park. In doing some research, Junie B. Jones is a kindergarten-age girl, that often looks at the world with a different set of eyes and the series of books teaches life-lessons. The books are full of twists and turns and are perfect for those beginning to read chapters.
In further to talking to Elizabeth, she really likes to read and her favorite subjects in school are art and physical education. Elizabeth is a second-grader and for her, the world is full of wonder and adventure. Who knows, I could have been talking to a future Olympic athlete or the next generation Picasso or the 2020 version of Eudora Welty.
In later talking to Elizabeth’s mom, I discovered that buying a book is always an option. As a reader myself, I just wanted to jump up and hug the pint-size reader and her family for a couple of reasons. First, the written word is so precious and oh, the great places and adventures books can take us on, literally around the world. Secondly, because of parents encouraging reading, in a public place versus sitting around being bored.
As, I watched Elizabeth, over my shoulder, the sheer delight on her face also made me want to thank a teacher. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Read, was a great story teller and encouraged all of us, way back there to read a book, often. Continuing my trek through elementary school, books were a big part of my life, often swapping with friends. The Bobbsey Twins and the Nancy Drew series were on my radar, as was the Highlights Magazine.
So how does Elizabeth and her book reading apply to the business world? First, you can grab 10 minutes anywhere, anytime to read. Throw a book or a financial magazine in your car so you’ll have it the next time you have lunch or a coffee break. And, secondly, we all need to be on top of trends and happenings in the workplace. Are you reading a trade publication relevant to your industry? Do you share articles with associates? How about with customers? Do you know the books that are on the NY Times top ten business books for the week? What are your customers reading? When was the last time you went to a bookstore and scanned the magazines? By reading our local Mississippi magazines, you might find a well-recognized entrepreneur right under your nose.
Re-read the above questions. You’ll find some great ideas for relationship building with you customers, which may put you ahead of your competition. Happy page turning!
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