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Love and Business
Do things God’s way, and you will benefit in
every way! It seems both simple and obvious,
but it is so often ignored.
God’s way involves love.
Love is taking action to bring about the highest benefit for another.
It often involves personal sacrifice on the part of the one expressing
the love.
What does love have to do with business?
Do you love your:
- Clients/customers
- Suppliers
- Employees/co-workers
- Competitors?
Should you? Or have we gone a bit far with this concept. Love
is fine for family and friends, but in business?
Remember what Jesus had to say about love: “Love your neighbour
as yourself.” And like us, the disciples immediately asked “who
is my neighbour?” They were looking for a way out – surely
this love business had just gone too far.
Point taken. We are to love everyone who we come into contact
with, and that includes our work.
Consider the implications of this, especially keeping in mind the true nature
of love. We are not talking about romance, or even “liking” someone.
Instead we are talking about taking action to bring about the highest benefit
for another.
Your clients and customers:
| Love Means |
The Results |
| Taking action. If you love them, you will
not ignore them, but you will take action. You will return
their phone calls promptly. When they have engaged your services
you will organise yourself and your co-workers to deliver the
products and services that they have sought. |
You will build a positive reputation as a business that “delivers”.
Clients and customers will feel cared for, and will build a
relationship with you. They will keep coming back, and they
will refer others to you. |
| Seeking the highest benefit for your customer. Your
focus is first and foremost on how you can bring benefit to
your customer/client. There are times that this could even
mean at a loss to you regarding a particular transaction. Naturally
that would not normally be the case, because in the larger
picture your business needs to be profitable to remain in business
and continue to provide benefits to your customers.Practically,
this requires a particular mindset. When a potential customer
walks in the door, what are you thinking? “Ah yes, I
wonder how much I can squeeze out of this moron?” or
instead, “How can I truly help this person today?” Focus
on their benefit, and you will provide the best service and
most appropriate products. You may also find that there is
considerable benefit that they gain simply from the relationship,
and that often doesn’t cost you much at all. |
Business is all about adding value. You get paid for the
value you add. The most profitable businesses are the ones
who add the greatest value. You can trick people for a time,
but ultimately if the value isn’t there, the business
dries up.As you focus on the greatest benefit for your customer,
you learn how to add the most value to them in their particular
situation. That is a simple formula for maximising profits,
while not focusing on the profits themselves. |
One day we will expand upon this in a book, but for the moment,
think it through for yourself. Consider further implications of
what love means for your clients or customers, then move on to
others that you interact with in your business. There are no exceptions.
Love will work powerfully for you, and in you. It’s God’s
design.
Do things God’s way, and benefit in
every way.
Jim Massey,
BizLife.
© 2003 (see below for permission to use this material)
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