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Does Your Business Produce Happiness and Success? – Business Times Column #110

by Marcus

Marcus Straub

Marcus Straub

A widely held belief in business is that success is the result of selling as many products or services as possible to as many consumers as possible at the highest price possible to make as much money as possible.

When followed, though, this limited view of success leaves everyone involved feeling used, taken advantage of, vastly undervalued and, most importantly, unhappy.

I suggest that a truly successful business is one that strives to create as much happiness as possible for team members, customers, business owners and the community while turning a profit in the process. This balanced approach to success takes all players into account, spreading the fruits of success far and wide.

All of this begins with the lifeblood of any successful business — its team members. Without them, your company wouldn’t function. Without their dedication, it would be impossible to conduct high-quality business. Their agreements to give large portions of their lives to help you in business and also earn a living shouldn’t be taken for granted. Like you, your team members have dreams of happiness and success. Their families depend on them just as yours depend on you.

Team members aren’t cogs in the wheel of business. They’re human beings. When you value and treat them with dignity, they’ll typically give their best to you and your customers. Your team members are the conduit between your business and customers. The more you care for your team members, the more they’ll care for you. The happier they are, the stronger your business will be and the more success you’ll all enjoy.

This same principle applies to your customers. If they aren’t happy with the products or services provided in exchange for their hard-earned money, they won’t return and are unlikely to speak highly of your company.

As you consider each customer, it’s important to see them as people who’ve chosen to do business with you and not merely revenue to add to your bottom line. When customers are valued and treated with the respect and care they deserve, they become raving fans of you, your team and your business. The happiness and success of everyone increases.

You wouldn’t want your customers or team members to take you for granted or limit your dreams. Consequently, it’s vital you lead with integrity and by example toward the outcomes you want to achieve.

When you operate from the mindset that others want to be happy and successful just as you do, you see and treat people differently. Through this larger perspective, team members and customers cease to be objects necessary to achieve your financial dreams. They become critical links in a chain that leads to happiness and success throughout the process of conducting business.

It’s absolutely true you can’t please everyone. Some team members and customers will never be satisfied with your exceptional efforts. In the pursuit of greater happiness and success, you will need to let certain team members and customers go along the way.

Without fail, companies that choose to operate with a “win-win-win” perspective where happy team members, customers and owners succeed are the most rewarding companies to do business with, work for and run. These businesses give as well as receive.

In my work with companies over the years, I’ve repeatedly witnessed the dramatic differences between businesses that truly care about their team members and customers and those that do not. It’s wise to work with a qualified professional who can coach you on becoming a great business leader who strives to create as much happiness and success as possible for everyone involved.

There’s more to business success than money, status, prestige and power. When business is conducted in ways that honor and support everyone involved, the business is positioned to serve the purpose of creating greater happiness and success in the world as a whole. Its purpose becomes a more encompassing endeavor, one not solely focused on creating wealth for owners and investors.

The truth is your team members, customers and you are all in business together. When you operate from this balanced perspective — one that includes the best interests of everyone involved and not just yours — your business will produce happiness and even more success.

Marcus Straub owns Life is Great! Inc. in Grand Junction. His personalized coaching and consulting services help individuals, business owners, executives and companies build teams, organizations and lives that are filled with happiness and success. He is the winner of the 2011 International Coach of the Year Award, and is also the author of “Is It Fun Being You?.” He is available for free consultations regarding coaching, speaking and trainings. Reach Straub by phone at 208-3150, by e-mail at marcus@lifeisgreatcoaching.com or on the website at www.lifeisgreatcoaching.com.

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This article was written for and published in collaboration with The Business Times newspaper.

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Marcus Straub

Author Marcus Straub

Marcus Straub is Founder and CEO of Life Is Great!™ (LIG) Coaching and Consulting, Inc. based in Grand Junction, Colorado.

Serving individuals of all ages and companies of all sizes, in locations across the country and around the world, Marcus specializes in the development of customized programs tailored to meet the unique goals of each individual client. Purposefully created to guide those involved toward unprecedented personal, professional, and organizational growth, Marcus has become well-known for his straightforward approach and systematic techniques.

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