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Personal Development · 3 min read

The Business of Helping People

Learn why the fastest way to succeed in business and life is to add value to others. Discover simple steps to build trust, keep customers and grow wealth.

Chris Farmer, Founder of Corporate Coach Group

“When you choose to add value to every person you meet, customers stay, friends grow and new chances open up; trade value for value and you prove that nice people do not finish last-they finish first because they make life better for others.”

Chris Farmer — Founder, Corporate Coach Group

The Business of Helping People

The Business of Helping People

If you want to do well in business, or in your relationships, or in life in general, then it is important to understand something very important. It is this:

You should be in the business of making other people's lives better.

You are successful in business, and in your personal relationships, and in life in general, only to the degree to which you can make other people lives better. People will only stay with you if they feel that they are better off by doing so. If they think that you are making their life worse, then they won't be motivated to stay; they will be motivated to move.

If you do, consciously, try to make other people's lives better, then you will attract more customers, more friends, and more opportunities.

Remember; you live in a free country; one where people don't have to do business with you. They could choose to talk to someone else. In a FREE market economy, the only way to really prosper is to find ways to add value to your customers.

Add value to your customers

If you don't add value to your customers, then they won't add any value to you.

You can only succeed by adding value to the market place: (other people).

Add value to others

In terms of adding value to others, you have three options.

  1. You could choose to: Add value to others, try to make their lives better and invite them to return value-for-value. In other words, you trade with others. Create a mutual exchange of values. These people do well.
  2. You could choose to: Add no value to others. These people say, "Why should I add value to you?" "Nobody helps me, why should I help you?" These people fail to create a mutual exchange of value. These people stay relatively poor.
  3. Take value from others and give nothing in return. These people say, "I take from those who have more than they need, because they can afford to lose it". These takers are the villains, the burglars, thieves and fraudsters. These are the people who TAKE values, they don't trade values. These people end up in jail. Or alone. Or both.

The only way to win is to use method 1.

Add value to the others. Ask them to engage in a mutual exchange of values.

If you add value to your customers, then they will add value to you.

If you add value to your wife, or husband, then she-he will add value to you.

If you add to your family life, your family life will add to you.

If you add value to your health, your health will add value to you.

But if you don't add value, if you TAKE more than you GIVE, then you should not expect your relationship to last.

If you take from your boss, and don't give your full service, in return, then you should not expect your career to climb.

There is no choice to be made between doing well and doing good

There is a cynical saying that says, "Nice guys finish last."

This is not true.

You can be a nice guy AND finish first.

In fact, if you want to do well and be happy and long-range successful, then you need to be nice.

Do well by doing GOOD

You can, and should, strive to do well by being good to others.

"Doing good" never did Bob Geldof's career any harm, did it?

You need to make people around you, feel good about you.

Only then will you gain their willing cooperation and assistance. Only then will you gain and keep them as customers and friends and only then will your life be good, on all levels.

So, please spend your time figuring out the answer to these two questions:

  • How can I add value to others?
  • How can I make other people's lives better?

On this basis, you could win big.

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Adding value

Adding value is the business principle that you on purpose give clear extra benefit to other people. It asks you to plan acts that help them, invite a fair return, and lift the long-term worth of the link you share. If any one of these parts is missing, you are not adding value.

CG4D Definition

Context: Business
Genus: Principle

  • Gives clear extra benefit to the other person
  • Is done on purpose, not by accident
  • Invites a fair return to the giver
  • Lifts the long-term worth of the relationship

Article Summary

When you choose to add value to every person you meet, customers stay, friends grow and new chances open up; trade value for value and you prove that nice people do not finish last-they finish first because they make life better for others.

Chris Farmer, Founder of Corporate Coach Group

Written by Chris Farmer

Founder & Lead Trainer, Corporate Coach Group

Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has over 25 years experience designing and delivering leadership and management training across both the public and private sectors. His programmes are structured, practical and built around real-world performance. Read more about Chris and the story of how the Corporate Coach Group was founded.

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Key Statistics

PwCs 2024 study finds 59% of UK shoppers stop buying from a firm after two poor service moments.

The 2023 Edelman Trust report says 71% of people choose brands that share their values and help society.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this topic

It means giving clear extra benefit that lifts someone’s results or comfort, then inviting fair return. You create a win-win link.
Ask if their life feels easier, safer or richer after dealing with you. If yes and they return willingly, you are adding value.
No. The post shows nice people often finish first because they win trust, loyalty and more openings by doing good.
Mutual exchange keeps both sides better off. Each gives and gains, so the link stays strong, fair and profitable for long term.
You lose trust fast. Customers leave, friends fade and you risk legal or social trouble. The post calls such takers villains.
Yes. Giving time, care and support to family makes them happier and more willing to help you, creating stronger, lasting ties.
Spot a need, offer a simple fix, share useful knowledge or listen well. Small daily acts build the habit, help others and let you do well by doing good.

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