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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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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Definition: 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.
Show CG4D Definition
- 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What does it mean to "add value" in business?
How can I check if I add value to my customers?
Does being nice at work cut my chances of success?
Why is a mutual exchange of value vital?
What happens if I take more than I give?
Can adding value really improve my home life too?
How do I start adding value today?
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Did You Know: 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.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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