
In Paulo Coelho’s book The Alchemist, Santiago, a simple shepherd boy from Spain, has a dream that he will find his fortune if he travels to the Pyramids.
So he leaves home in pursuit of this dream, which takes him all over the world. After numerous mishaps, and meeting some amazing people including Fatima (who becomes the love of his life) and the alchemist, he then meets a soldier who says he, too, had a dream about treasure – but under a tree inside the ruins of a church in Spain, where Santiago, coincidentally, started his journey. The book is a classic fable, which has sold more than 65 million copies. It is also a great allegorical story for business and raising finance.- The importance of following your dreams – and how the journey is never quite the one you planned.
- All good business ideas are often just repackaging old ideas (some say The Alchemist is a reinterpretation of a previous fable).
- When it comes to raising finance, the answer – especially for early-stage businesses – is often on your doorstep.
- Do the plan yourself (which he did using one of my templates).
- Buy a packet of Post-It notes and write out 108 names of people who you know – or would like to know.
- Start ringing them up.
- Get last year’s accounts ready.
- Get this year’s management accounts ready with a budget.
- Do a nine-month “barebones/emergency” cash flow plan.
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