Game Of Thrones: Business Inspiration?

What could the tumultuous characters of HBO’s Game of Thrones teach us about business?

Last week we got all excited at the prospect of doing business in Westeros, as news broke that the Seven Kingdoms were following in the footsteps of the Galaxy Far Far Away and being immortalised on a Monopoly board. It would seem that the business finesse of the much-loved (and much-loathed) characters of HBO’s Game of Thrones has struck a chord in the business sphere, as you can now buy yourself your very own copy of “Game of Thrones on Business”, a guide to what we as businesses can learn from the war of the five kings.
There’s certainly no shortage on business literature out there. Perhaps you have a copy of Dale Carnegie’s  “How To Win Friends And Influence People” on your Kindle, or maybe you office is stacked high with titles such as “How To Become A Rainmaker” by Jeffrey J. Fox or the more to the point “Getting Things Done” by David Allen. My point is, there’s plenty out there for business-types to feast their eyes on based on and in the real world, so what more could be learnt from a business guide based on fantasy?
If you manage to look through the nudity and violence (and I do appreciate that it’s pretty difficult to look beyond what is so ever-present), there are leaders in abundance to take inspiration from, and Littlefinger’s prowess as master of coin is truly commendable. The truth is that we’re bored of seeing the same titles, and the world is fixated on HBO’s fantasy gore-fest, and so engagement with “Game of Thrones on Business” is sure to be rife.
And so with the book in mind, we’ve compiled our own list of Game of Thrones characters, and what their character traits could teach your business mind:
Littlefinger:
The importance of communication in business is paramount; being in the know about the ins and outs of your business should be top of your to-do list. Although the Iron Throne is indebted heavily to the Iron Bank and to Casterly Rock, Petyr Baelish continues to find gold to fund the crown through his powers of persuasion, communication and knowledge.
Tyrion Lannister:
Tyrion is a complete gold mine of wisdom; one of the most beloved characters of the HBO series, his way with words has managed to get him out of more than a few tight spots. You could take inspiration from the way in which he handles the hands he is dealt: as a teen he was given charge of the sewers of Casterly Rock to mock his status; he had the system running seamlessly in no time, turning the joke on his own father. Do the best at any task and the joke will never be on you.
Aerys II Targaryen:
Known ‘fondly’ as The Mad King, Aerys was known to treat everyone and anyone with contempt, suspicion and a lack of respect. Driven mad by his own insecurities, Aerys drove everyone close to him against him, eventually meeting his end with a sword in the back from a member of his King’s Guard (Ser Jaime Lannister). A lesson to learn from Mad King Aerys is to treat your contemporaries in business with respect, building lasting mutually beneficial partnerships.
Arya Stark:
A girl of great courage and determination, Arya Stark can teach a lesson or two in the power of fearlessness. The business world can be pretty cut-throat, although not quite in the cloak and dagger way that is so often seen in Westeros. Arya takes great risks and shows true bravery time and time again in Game of Thrones, vaulting obstacles and “sticking them with the pointy end” during the hard times. In business, you could do with a bit of the Arya Stark spirit.
Robert Baratheon:
Conquer the seven kingdoms of business with a giant hammer. Put in perhaps more eloquent terms, challenge your biggest competitor; don’t see any challenge as too great for your company. Robert’s rebellion and the subsequent shift in rule in Westeros should inspire you to approach competitors you would never dream of surpassing.
Can you think of any great examples? Tweet us your best @vpsnet