This is frustratingly annoying. There was an Irish band. They had a hit. It was used in a Hollywood movie. You’d know the song if you heard it. The band doesn’t exist anymore.
I can’t remember the name of the band, the song nor the film.
But I do remember meeting one of the band members. He was wearing an outrageously attractive green get up and a hat. He stood out amidst all the other students in the audience I was talking to. They weren’t wearing anything distinctive. (Not a criticism, just an observation—I’m hardly Freddy Mercury myself.) So he caught my eye from the stage.
After my talk, I complimented him on his attractive clothes. I told him I wished I had an appealing signature style of dress. He told me he wanted to open a restaurant in Cork constructed out of shipping containers.
I do remember Tony Macken’s name. It’s Tony Macken. We were in a chapter of Business Network International together. Paul and I bumped into him at Republic of Work the other week. He was wearing a magnificent green tweed jacket. A very fine garment indeed.
“I tell everyone I bought it at a charity shop,” he said.
His coat was an easy way for us to develop a rich conversation.
There is a point here somewhere. It’s neither of these:
If you present yourself differently from others, it is easier for people (customers, clients) to spot you.
If you have an attractive hook, it is easier for people (customers, clients) to be hooked by you.
We know this. Of course you do. You’re tired of hearing it. (I apologise.)
The question remains: “Why is there so little original business storytelling?”
Is it because we’re not confident enough to be original? If so, let’s agree to give each other permission to put on bananas bonkers clothes. Or at the very least, something colourful.