I am always quick to point out that the Bible, the Constitution, and Shakespeare are all antiquated and yet still used widely today in their respective circles. Business literature is no different. "Classic" literature such as that of Napoleon Hill and Dale Carbegie is still used today. In fact, it is even frequently blogged about by modern writers who allegedly offer more "relevant" information. You see, just because modern Fiction writers do not use Iambic Pentameter doesn't mean their characters do not frequently echo Hamlet's age-old question of "to be or not to be." And just because "quartering soldiers" isn't really an issue in modern America doesn't mean Americans aren't still lobbying fir more privacy and freedom from government control. Just because modern-day Christians do not literally wash each others' feet doesn't mean that they don't strive to serve one another. Just because a work of business literature was written before the Internet, that doesn't mean it's irrelevant.
What makes such literature stll relevant today? The principles. Though processes change, fundamentals are timeless. Obviously, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is going to have more relevance today than "How to Sell Subscriptions of Ulysses S. Grant's Memoirs Door-to-Door in 1886," but that's why the former is still around and the latter is but a footnote. Some books, it's true, were written for specific time periods or for specific activities. Others, however, were written about principles. Many are a hybrid of the two. Seth Godin's "Permission Marketing" was written years before the social media revolution but, if read, can still offer timeless wisdom about pull marketing and customer engagement.
I would advise you to rear the most current, up-to-date, cutting edge stuff available to you. But you are at a severe disadvantage if you don't know where you come from. Read old stuff too. Read Dale Carnegie. Read Mack Hanan. Read Stephen Covey. Just as biologists often study extinct species to frame theories about modern biology, business professionals can still find highly relevant and essential principles in "extinct" works of business literature. Know your roots. Do not neglect the classics.
What makes such literature stll relevant today? The principles. Though processes change, fundamentals are timeless. Obviously, "How to Win Friends and Influence People" is going to have more relevance today than "How to Sell Subscriptions of Ulysses S. Grant's Memoirs Door-to-Door in 1886," but that's why the former is still around and the latter is but a footnote. Some books, it's true, were written for specific time periods or for specific activities. Others, however, were written about principles. Many are a hybrid of the two. Seth Godin's "Permission Marketing" was written years before the social media revolution but, if read, can still offer timeless wisdom about pull marketing and customer engagement.
I would advise you to rear the most current, up-to-date, cutting edge stuff available to you. But you are at a severe disadvantage if you don't know where you come from. Read old stuff too. Read Dale Carnegie. Read Mack Hanan. Read Stephen Covey. Just as biologists often study extinct species to frame theories about modern biology, business professionals can still find highly relevant and essential principles in "extinct" works of business literature. Know your roots. Do not neglect the classics.
Somethings, like technology, change every six months. Some, like politeness, grattitude, openness, honesty, hard work, and people skills, rarely change. Many books (which I love anyway), even those 50 years old, still provide good advice, or spur new ideas. Never say Never, and do we really leave the past completely behind?
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment, Valerie! You're absolutely right. Specific truths (the Internet is a source of much information) change but general truths (Information is powerful) are infinitely fundamental parts of human nature. Also, we never do really leave the past behind. I think that, though we are in a constant state of forward motion, we cannot separate ourselves from our roots. We will always be in part what we once were.
ReplyDeleteDoug- I can appreciate your viewpoint. However, the context of the argument about reading books that are antiquated relates specifically to business. Reading Noam Chomsky has little relevancy on the current economic climate as does reading books that speak to leveraging tactics in business. For example, "the 7 habits of highly effective people" does not mention social media or email- both of which are leveraged today by highly effective people. You would not read Shakespear in an attempt to understand contemporary society. Yet, we read business books as though they have contemporary business relevancy and they simply do not. I read or have read a lot of the business books you refer to and must ask this question, "are you really adopting the tactics they advocate"? Of course not. Education Advocates these books as relevant and while a core philosophy may be valid, it's modern implementation is not. We get our core business philosophy from experience as it always trumps tha academic pursuit. I am not saying that books are of no value, I'm simply pointing out that to read them as modern manuals is a great way to start a business career way behind the curve.
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