Which compact artefact is highly portable, packed with information, acts as a vital communication tool and can provide hours of entertainment and education? No, it is not an internet-enabled, MP3 playing, mobile phone. It is, of course, the humble book. Without it the Word of God could not have spread, great works of literature would remain obscure and I would never have enjoyed the adventures of Conan the Barbarian!

Bookselling in Britain underwent a revolution in the 80s when a certain Tim Waterstone left WH Smith and established a new kind of range-heavy dedicated bookstore. Packed with knowledgeable book-loving staff the new store was an instant hit and Mr Waterstone wasted no time opening stores all over the UK. His vision of a book lovers emporium, staffed by scruffily dressed but enthusiastic booksellers with limited concern for ‘bottom-line’ economics laid the foundations for the chain that exists today. However, the modern Waterstones is a much changed creature from its early days. Once the Net Book Agreement (a kind of pricing cartel) broke down in the 90’s it was open season. The supermarkets sniffed an opportunity and engaged in cut-throat discounting. Then along came the internet and Waterstones was out-flanked again.

Selling books became a whole lot tougher and Waterstones found itself bought and sold by WH Smith and then picked up by HMV. With its hard-nosed corporate mentality the music retailer wrought significant cultural changes. Some good, some bad. Certainly a tighter, more organised and focussed business was necessary. Discounting in some form was essential as the big US booksellers began to muscle in. However the company seemed to lose sight of two key realities. Firstly, books are not like baked beans. Readers have an emotional connection with books that needs to be respected & nurtured. Secondly, the staff are the key to success. Yes, they may be a scruffy bunch, but they know their stuff.

So where does a kingdom vision impact on this situation? Well, I think it is clear that books are a positive response to God’s mandate to develop the creation. They entertain us, educate us, enlarge our understanding of the world we live in and help us in the pursuit of the myriad callings that constitute Gods’ all- encompassing kingdom. A kingdom-orientated bookshop would make a priority of ensuring the public are able to easily obtain the book they want at a reasonable price. Even if the book itself did not reflect a kingdom vision. The public have to be given the opportunity to make up their own minds about the many big questions that authors raise.

This store would honour, respect, reward and nurture good booksellers with a passion for bookselling. This is one area where a kingdom vision is now at odds with the excessive ‘bottom-line’ focus at HMV. Any business should be attentive to its ability to sustain as an economic entity. However, there are other priorities that should weigh into the decision-making process. For example, are the staff appropriately rewarded and motivated. Are customers treated with respect? Are suppliers paid promptly? Are environmental issues taken seriously?

As an Assistant Manager in a large, profitable store I can have some influence at branch level. My attempts to create ‘signposts’ in my store include a strong recommends program wherein staff are encouraged to produce booklets extolling the virtues of books both old and new. I go out of my way to ensure that staff enjoy every opportunity to gain new skills and regularly communicate my richer vision of bookselling.

Inevitably, in a fallen world, there are frustrations. Currently the HMV board seem determined to demoralise the experienced staff at waterstones. This makes it tough for me to enthuse my team when other more powerful forces are pulling in another direction. My approach is to work openly, honestly and with integrity always to looking to support the booksellers in their attempts to create a positive bookselling environment wherein customers can constantly rediscover the joy of a good book.

JIM TICKNER