 |
Build your Business - be of Service
Author: Simon Smith  | Posted: 23-10-2007 | Comments: 0 | Views: 7 | Rating: (51)  (?) 
I find it interesting, when I reflect back on some of the things that I have done in my life, that where I have created the “best” results are the same times that I have come from a place of “being of service”. Conversely, where I have not got the result that I said I wanted, was generally where I had an ulterior motive or so called “hidden agenda” that of course, was not hidden at all!
It therefore occurs to me that, in all areas of life, if we start with a genuine desire to be of service to others we will fulfil our grander purpose and live a truly happy and contented life. This is true whether we are in business, working in the corporate world, spending our time looking after “domestic matters”, using our time for charitable purposes, in church or our community or simply within our relationships.
I think back to when I spent my time trying to grow the business I was responsible for in the corporate world. All of the great results we achieved were delivered when we were focussed on improving customer service, therefore being of service to the “end user”, or creating the next team incentive scheme or competition, therefore being of service to the staff, or facilitating a great management meeting, therefore being of service to the managers, or developing the next big promotional activity, therefore being of service to the Company or the suppliers, and so on and so forth.
Yet, when there is a “hidden agenda”, we become manipulative and deceitful. We have a plan and we don’t want to show it. These are the times when things inevitably go wrong, when things show up for what they truly are and when people end up mistrusting us. Once lack of trust has been created, it is difficult, if indeed ever possible, to rebuild and repair that trust.
Stephen Covey said “seek first to understand, then be understood”, and Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen coined the phrase “ask, ask, ask”, which I interpret in this context as meaning, “seek first to be of service, then ask honestly for what you want”.
If we explore this in the context of relationships, my experience has always been that when I have asked first “what do you need from me” or “what do you want”, with a genuine desire of wanting to know the answer, and then do what I can to provide what is needed, I have felt fulfilled and more often that not, have received what I want or need at the same time. This is also true in sales or purchasing negotiations. If I have come from a place of “how can I help you”, the prospect has been more likely to buy into what I am selling or the supplier provided the support for the initiative I have proposed.
When we are marketing our business, it is said that we should “get in the customers shoes” and see how they would feel, what they want. We should understand our target market, know how they think, when they will buy and fulfil their wants and needs. If we did not approach marketing in this way, we would not be providing what the customer wants and therefore would not be making any sales. We would not be saying “what do you need” and we would not be asking for the close in the sale. We would therefore not make any profit.
Sales and marketing strategies are no different to relationship strategies. In fact, of course, they are just relationship strategies anyway, hence the term “Customer Relationship Marketing” or CRM. So, if we want to be sure to build great relationships in anything that we do, we would be wise to start from a place of “how can I be of service”, in this relationship. Once we have asked the question of ourselves, we would be equally wise to simply ask the question of our partner, child, parent, friend, business acquaintance or team colleague. If we don’t ask, we will assume, and as a very good friend once told me, if we assume we make an ASS of U and ME!
So, my invitation is simply this; in any customer or supplier relationship you have currently or have in the future, start from a position of “how can I be of service” and then ask it!
Rate this Article:
Current: 0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s).
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/small-business-articles/build-your-business-be-of-service-243449.html
 About the Author:Simon Smith is a coach, trainer, speaker and author. Having been involved in corporate life for 24 years in a variety of senior commercial and operational roles, and after relocating to Northern Ireland in 2004, Simon discovered his passions were focussed on supporting people in being who they really are. He is certified as a Master Practitioner in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Master Results Coach, Performance Consultant, Advanced Neurological Repatterning and an Accredited Inspired Coach with The Institute of Human Development. In addition he is a Certified Facilitator of The Passion Test, a member of the Chartered Management Institute and the Institute of Hospitality respectively. He has trained with some of the world leaders in transformational leadership and personal development, including Jack Canfield, Chris and Janet Attwood, Hale Dwoskin, Adrian Gilpin, Marcia Martin and Christopher Howard.
Simon’s passions include “giving and contributing to others in a way that makes significant difference to their lives” and “being around like minded people passionate about their own journeys of discovery”. He uses his skills as a coach, trainer, speaker and author to ensure he stays aligned with his passions on an everyday basis.
For more information on how Simon Smith can support you to Step Up to Success and create the results you or your business are striving for contact us at:
http://www.simonsmithcoaching.com
Sign up for our monthly free teleseminar at www.AskSimonSmith.com
|
Submitting articles has become one of the most popular means of generating quality backlinks and targeted traffic to your website. Join us today - It's Free! |
|
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
My boyfriends ex
By: blindedeyes | 05-09-2008
My boyfriends ex girlfriend keeps on interfering with our relationship. It goes from things that are my fault, like me finding sex tapes of them (found months apart) once when he challenged me to find porn in his apmt. so the first place I checked was the computer and guess who the stars were? the next I found when I was cleaning his place... but still I should not have looked at it.
To things that are her fault... her busting into his apmt. demanding old photo's, her assaulting him, calling the police on him.... or her boyfriend threatening his life.
To him inviting her up to his appartment and drunk dialing her.
Now she's called him and asked if she can play pool out of his league and he's said she can do what she want's. (So of course she's going to)
I have major problems with this one ex of his b/c of all the crap that's gone down between them. I'm not a jealous person, he has another ex that he hangs out with all the time (without me normally) and I don't have any problem with that at all.
But this one I just don't know how to deal with expecialy now that I'm going to see her ever week until June.
Any advice?
Att.blackberry.net email password?
By: Yvonne7sbq | 05-09-2008
I forgot the password to my BB email account: "username@att.blackberry.net " how can I reset that password. Note: I am not taking about the "Att.blackberry.com" site password. Just my email password. thanks : )
Washing dishes service
By: Ivgeny | 05-09-2008
Is there a service for washing dishes in private houses?
By service, I mean a person who I pay to wash the dishes...
Producers blogs Have a manuscript that has been ...
By: Maureen Boyles | 05-09-2008
producers blogs Have a manuscript that has been edited by an industry professional. I am considering selling my rights to a producer, actor, etc., How do I go about doing this?
Westell 6100
By: Sundevil | 04-09-2008
I need assistance in connecting the Verizon Westell 6100 modem to my PC running Windows XP so I can send fax from PC. Need help with the cords in the back of modem & PC. Modem is installed & working OK. Many Thanks.
Looking to buy a 2'' 15000
By: Justin Renick | 04-09-2008
looking to buy a 2'' 15000
Q&A Powered by: 
Latest Small Business Articles
So You Want to Make Money Using Ebay?
By: Boris Tomson | 12/10/2008
EBay Income Possibilities.If you've ever feature an article about eBay, you will have seen the kinds of incomes grouping attain - it isn't unusual to hear of grouping making thousands of dollars per month on eBay.
Ebay Sellers - Secrets to Boosting Your Credibility
By: Boris Tomson | 12/10/2008
It doesn't matter if you run a shop on Main Street of your hometown or have a store on eBay, your reputation as a seller is crucial to your success.
How to Design Your Website to Make Money
By: Debora Kinsler | 11/10/2008
If your current website is not making any money for you, it simply could be the design. There are certain expectations of a website that people expect to see when they surf, such as a certain layout. By going against the "norm", people who visit your site may think there is something wrong with it and immediately click out.
Packaging Boxes Printing
By: sara | 10/10/2008
Boxes are mainly used for packaging of goods and materials. In the dynamic environment, people are often busy in the process of moving houses, apartments and offices. They always plan their move in an organized manner through packaging in boxes.
Is it Time for Your Business to Go Green?
By: KatNels | 10/10/2008
These days, it pays for businesses of all sizes to "go green." Learn how to make your business green no matter how small.
When it Comes to Business Funding, It's not What You Know It's Who You Know
By: Breadstreet.com | 10/10/2008
In times of starting a new business, expanding a business or experiencing a revenue shortfall, entrepreneurs turn to outside funding sources. Find out why some find it challenging to find funding, while others excel at the task.
A Full Service Provider for Your Outsourcing Solutions: Mithros Chemicals India
By: TVG Menon | 10/10/2008
It is now a well-known fact that outsourcing has become an integral part of the agrochemical and pharmaceutical Industry resulting from the pressures of global competition. This especially applies to their R&D activities. Initially, only Building Blocks were being outsourced to third parties but this activity has spanned to the degree where entire research projects are now being outsourced
How to Market Your Salon Business - Part 2
By: Bill Slater | 10/10/2008
We're here to continue with our article on marketing your business:
2. Customer Service - this is hush-hush ...the key to unlock the door of repeat business remarkably in the salon business. And the significant element that changes customers into clients.
More from Simon Smith
Action and Speed Create Results
By: Simon Smith | 22/01/2008 | Entrepreneurship
Taking action with speed sets successful entrepreneurs apart from those that dawdle, and therefore stay in mediocrity. Small business owners and entrepreneurs have the edge in this regard. They can take action with speed, because they, unlike many larger organisations, can decide quickly and then move forward...
Create a Powerful Driving Question to Improve your Results
By: Simon Smith | 05/01/2008 | Entrepreneurship
Much of the email received at this time of year is about making the next year even better than the last.
My tips include: Review last year; Unclutter; Step back; Create your goals.
In addition, by finding your driving question and creating a more powerful one related to your purpose, vision and mission, you will be more motivated to take action. You will be less likely to procrastinate or hesitate and you will therefore be much better placed to achieve what it is you say you want to achieve
Review last year – Review the results from last year and take the learnings.
Unclutter – Get rid of the unnecessary clutter in your life.
Step back – Give yourself some thinking time and ask questions.
Create your goals – Plan what you want to achieve and set goals in several areas.
In addition to these tips, establish your current driving question
Making Time for Me
By: Simon Smith | 02/11/2007 | Time Management
Many people complain that they don’t have enough time to do all the things they say they want to do. There are always so many other priorities to consider and demands from others that get in the way. Then we spend our time exhausted and frustrated that we haven’t achieved what we want.
Ultimately though we all have the same 24 hours each day and the real issue is how we manage ourselves to create the space we want for us.
There is a whole industry built around time management, from the every day paper based diary to electronic organisers, training and workshops, sophisticated software solutions and even coaches that can help you “de-clutter”.
There are however, four very straightforward ways to create all the time we need and keep it simple. Find out more in “Making Time for Me!”
The Power of Team
By: Simon Smith | 16/10/2007 | Motivational
Completing the London Marathon is challenging enough for the fittest of people. Getting through it with no training, due to the physical and emotional turmoil prior to the event, seemed impossible. With the support of those around you, anything can be achieved and yet, there are times when you want to just be with yourself and your thoughts, despite the challenge ahead. This was the case when I chose to remove myself from the support available climbing the mountain known as “terrible – no beauty”; Ben Nevis. The “team” got me through the London Marathon, the “team” was not present on the mountain. You can never underestimate the “Power of Team” to get you to the finish line…
|
|
Business 
