I know you have heard this before. It has been said many times and most of the times I know many of you say "there is no way that they mean it." Well, I am going to say it to you now and I am definitely going to mean it. What is it? Wait for it....it is not about the money! That's right! And this is especially true when it comes to business networking. Now you might say..."isn't the point of getting into business to make money?" Well, yes, but what if I told you that you money is purely a byproduct of heartfelt behavior? Ahhh....yes...now we are getting somewhere. You see I've been doing business a long time and I've met a ton of people. And in the 12 years I have been in the fitness, health and wellness industry I have been able to see substantial growth in in my financial portfolio. However, I would be a fool to think that it as was because I am the best "business man." Nope, my focus has been and will always be in becoming the best servant and caretaker of people that I can be. Money comes from the investment of love and faith that you have in others. It might not get you money in the short term, but boy does it grow your financial health in the long term.
So, how do you inject love and faith into your business life? You do it by demonstrating consistency in being a caring, kind, generous, faithful, trustworthy and follow through oriented professional. You don't meet people regularly and badger them into a business relationship. You meet people regularly and little by little pull them into a stable, committed and fulfilling partnership. In the end people always do business with people they like. People do business with people they feel truly get their passion and vision for their business. People do business with people they feel like they can have a beer with and just talk about life in general.
I always find it amusing when I meet with people and they try to "sell" me on products or get me to come this meeting or that meeting about this amazing new thing. I could care less about the products honestly. All I care about is YOU. I have to buy into you and anyone who knows me knows that I only work with people who I consider to be GOOD HUMAN BEINGS. That's it. Are you someone who I can love being around? Are you someone who I feel is loyal? That is the barometer. I've made tons more money in loving people than I have ever made in selling people on my businesses.
And funniest thing is why people still don't buy into love and loyalty as a business approach/business model. Zappos and Southwest Airlines are two of the most successful companies in the world and guess what their business models are?
Zappos = Delivering Happiness
Southwest Airlines = Love
Why aren't you buying in? And really what do you have to lose? If the worst thing you get out of loving people and creating loyalty in those you work with is friendship then isn't that a pretty good return on investment?
Until next time....
Dr. D
8 comments:
I like the premise, but I want more proof. Apple, Google, GE, Exxon, are all successful companies that don't necessarily exude love. Give me more evidence to make the case.
I hear ya Lee. However, proof is often the burden of those lacking faith. I have provided proof in a few companies that align with my core values. However, what is more important is the faith you have in providing love in your professional life. I could provide more evidence and quantify things, but somehow it would cheapen it for me. That's jut my opinion. Let me as you this though? How much proof do you need to know that your significant other loves you? At some point you just know and trust it. I am asking people to trust that pouring love into your business practices will get you to where you want to be. Thanks for your comments Lee. They are much appreciated regardless of our stances. Thanks!
I could not agree more, Darian! If money is someone's superior motive, they will not "make it". It is all about core values and following those values and your passion that enables the money to flow.
To cut in a bit, Apple is successful and the powerhouse behind them was a man that had core values written all over his face. Other companies may practice the same way with core values as their strengths, but they may not be so public about it as Zappos or Southwest.
Just my two cents.
Great blog!!
Thanks for the comments Carisse!
Nice one Dr.D! The only way to measure business progress; how much love you pour on people!
appreciate the comments everyone!
I am glad you put this out there. About a year ago, I earned the Master Certification through Richardson Sales Company. They are a very successful sales training company that has been also doing over 30 years of research on sales people (poor, average, and top performers). The concepts and training they support is based on their research of the top 10% of sales performers and their "best practices" per say. Let's just say it is called "Consultative Selling". What does this say to you? CONSULTATIVE! This is building relationships with people, and not necessarily out just to close a deal. This has proven to be more successful in their 30+ years of research. When I teach this, I always say, their are no "right or wrong" answers when it comes to sales. Sales is not black and white, it is grey. There are many very successful companies that have been built on other things rather than core values and building relationships, but I can bet that if we dig deep....we will find people inside the company that have sold the products on those core values. Think about this...........let's consider the "KILLER" sales approach. This approach is very agressive and not focused on building relationships, but they DO close business.They have a high closing ratio. Why do people buy from them? Well for many reasons: they feel pushed into it, they are given too much information and are confused, etc. In fact, if you ask those people that bought from a killer, they will tell you they felt "beat up" and would never go back to that person. The fact is, they don't get a lot of repeating business or referrals, therfore as they move forward they are always working as hard as they have on the first day.That is a hard, sometimes unhappy life to sustain for the long haul. While it does take time to build a business on core values and building relationships, in the long run it will pay off in business and in life happiness :)
Doc, I love this blog! It's awesome and makes a lot of sense. I'm sharing this with other fitness professionals and business partners of mine. Thanks for the knowledge.
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