What constitutes business success? Is it market share, profitability, or year-over-year growth? Is it the size of your operation, the number of employees you have, or the number of customers?
While all of these factors can play a role in an organization’s longevity, there’s another key aspect of true success. And it’s one that business people sometimes overlook: offering help to others.
Focusing on helping others, making it a priority to serve other people and make their lives better is what makes businesses successful in the first place. Once they achieve success, however, somewhere along the way many businesses forget that and instead choose to turn their focus on making more profit. I believe this is the main reason many once successful businesses fail.
If you influence other people’s lives in a positive way and contribute value to society, your business is much more likely to last and thrive.
Simply put, if you’re consistently of service, material rewards are likely to follow. The more you help, the more you will get in return. And plenty of real-world examples back up this heartwarming thesis.
The Tony Robbins Approach
When you consider the concept of gaining success by offering help, Tony Robbins might come to mind right away. This author, philanthropist, and motivational speaker, a person who never attended college, has built a global brand out of aiding others.
“Unlimited Power“, Tony’s breakthrough book, debuted in 1987. It was a publishing sensation, and it explained how to get in the right frame of mind for success — how to focus on your true goals and get rid of any fears holding you back.
Indeed, Tony knows all about overcoming fears through mental preparation. During the 1980s, he learned to firewalk, a practice that involves walking barefoot across burning hot stones or embers. And, to this day, he firewalks at his seminars.
I discovered a long time ago that if I helped enough people get what they wanted, I would always get what I wanted, and I would never have to worry.
Tony Robbins
Since his first book came out, Tony’s videos, podcasts, and other projects have been a great help to millions of people. They’ve given readers, listeners, and viewers concrete steps to take as far as reaching their full potential and attaining happiness.
Over the years, CEOs, global celebrities, and even world leaders have sought Tony’s counsel. And his profound advice is always delivered with enthusiasm, humor, and affability.
As Tony once put it : “I discovered a long time ago that if I helped enough people get what they wanted, I would always get what I wanted, and I would never have to worry.“
Other Leaders Who Focus on Service
Many other stars of business, politics, sports, and entertainment have likewise realized the power of giving back. Here are just a few of them.
1. Jeff Bezos
Let’s start with one of the wealthiest individuals of all time : Jeff Bezos.
A Princeton graduate who briefly worked on Wall Street, Jeff founded the pioneering e-commerce company Amazon in 1994. What’s made Amazon a powerhouse isn’t merely its technological innovation, however. Rather, Jeff describes its winning philosophy this way: “We are always customer based and obsessed.”
To that end, Amazon labors to satisfy its customers’ needs completely. For instance, it strives to deliver every single package on time, especially around the holidays, and its Kindle reading device was designed to please users above all other considerations. In short, in everything it does, Amazon tries to be really helpful, putting its customers, and potential customers, front and center.
We’ve had three big ideas at Amazon that we’ve stuck with for 18 years, and they’re the reason we’re successful: Put the customer first. Invent. And be patient.
Jeff Bezos
Having maintained Jeff at its helm since the beginning, Amazon has not lost its laser-focused approach toward customer service and satisfaction. That’s why Amazon not only has endured, but it has thrived and, despite already being one of the biggest and most successful companies of our time, it continues to improve and to grow.
2. Ava DuVernay
The great movie director Ava DuVernay has long prioritized mentoring and assisting budding filmmakers.
In 1999, Ava founded a public relations firm, and it was a big success. Even so, she decided to switch careers and start making movies. She began with a 12-minute short and moved on to documentaries. In 2011, Ava self-financed her first narrative feature. Called “I Will Follow,” it was inspired by her aunt’s life story. These days, she helms acclaimed studio productions with large budgets.
On top of that, Ava produces a television series on the Oprah Winfrey Network called “Queen Sugar.” It’s a compelling drama about three adult siblings in Louisiana whose father has died and left a large sugarcane farm. To direct episodes of this show, Ava often chooses women who’ve never directed TV episodes before, thus giving them broader industry experience.
Ava also inspires her fans with her wisdom and advice. As she’s put it, referring to her decision to attempt filmmaking : “If you’re doing something, and you have a desire to do something different, give it a try.“
3. Bob Wright
From 1986 to 2007, Bob Wright was the CEO of NBC, later NBCUniversal, and his programs were known for their success in the ratings. Moreover, in the early 1980s, Bob was the president of Cox Cable Communications. He served in leadership positions at General Electric as well.
Nevertheless, it’s a nonprofit that Bob may be best known for these days. He and Suzanne Wright, his late wife, founded Autism Speaks in 2005. This foundation funds research and advocates for people with autism. Furthermore, it provides expert help in passing legislation that benefits those with autism.
Aiming to Help Others: Always a Wise Plan
In sum, when you’re serving others, you’re employing a keen business strategy. Those you help, whether they’re employees you mentor or customers you spend extra time assisting, are much more likely to talk about your company in positive ways.
More than that, when you focus on providing a product or service that is truly helpful, the rewards will come, sooner or later. It may take a bit more time and effort on your part, but this is something you can’t shortcut if you desire lasting success.
Through word of mouth, glowing online reviews, and other communications, the people you’ve helped will persuade others to check out your company. Plus, you’ll probably have more success attracting repeat customers.
In addition, it will be easier to recruit idealistic, caring, and hardworking employees. Such job candidates will want to work at your company due to your reputation for helping.
Not least, you and your team members should gain more happiness and personal fulfillment from your work if it helps others. That could make you and your staff more productive and less likely to experience burnout and debilitating career regrets.
With Tony Robbins, Jeff Bezos, Ava DuVernay, Bob Wright, and other service-oriented leaders as your models, your business can thrive and make a positive impact on the world.
To quote the eloquent Tony Robbins one more time : “The secret to wealth is simple: Find a way to do more for others than anyone else does. Become more valuable. Do more. Give more. Be more. Serve more. And you will have the opportunity to earn more.“
The secret to wealth is simple: Find a way to do more for others than anyone else does. Become more valuable. Do more. Give more. Be more. Serve more. And you will have the opportunity to earn more.
Tony Robbins
Being of service to others is the one timeless rule of business success. This holds true for any business, and it is no different for an online business.
If you are considering starting a business, an online business may be your best option. You can see why here: Why you should be working for yourself online, building your own digital business.
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