The Susan Boyle effect: What entrepreneurs can learn from Britain's Got Talent

Susan Boyle may not have won Britain's Got Talent but her experiences on the show do deliver to small business owners a powerful message.

We all know the story of the dowdy spinster with the wonderful voice. The videos of her performances have been more popular than those of Barack Obama, and she was interviewed by Oprah. She made an emotional difference, and Piers Morgan thanked her for giving the world something to believe in.

Then the sequel. Press attention that any business owner or celebrity would kill for took its toll. For six weeks, she was never out of the headlines, and a tantrum led to a threatened walk-out two days before the final. Then last Saturday, despite all the adulation, Susan came second. She graciously congratulated Diversity, the winners, and now we hear is being treated for stress in The Priory.

Does this mean the end of a singing career? At this stage nobody knows, but there are powerful lessons for us in business and questions we need to ask.