This week our nation is once again celebrating “National Small Business Week” (NSBW). We honor and recognize business innovations, successes, and milestones. It is a time of inspiration and motivation for all our nation’s Small Businesses.
In thinking about Small Business Week, I started to reflect on what it means to me to be successful in my own small business. Every business owner wants and needs to make money. However, I think it needs to be more than that.
For me, true success goes beyond what I can get to what I can give. I believe it is possible to be generous and giving in our business practices and still have a healthy “bottom line” - in fact, that bottom line may even be better because of it.
Since I am a firm believer in Karma and particularly the “Golden Rule”, I have found how to apply these to my business. I think aligning your core beliefs with your business practices makes for a strong foundation.
“How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours.” Wayne W. Dyer
Karma is centered on the belief in “cause and effect”. Much like the “Golden Rule”, “Do Unto Others as you would have them Do Unto You”, they embody the idea of “what goes around, comes around”. When you treat people as you would like to be treated, you create a general feeling of good will.
This just makes sense.
So, how can you translate this into your business?
- Really Listen. Taking into account your customer’s and employee’s suggestions and feedback shows you care about their opinions. People that feel acknowledged become loyal.
- Treat Your Clients Fairly. Be upfront and truthful in how you do business. Do what you say you are going to do and stand by your word. Your clients will appreciate this and come to trust and rely on you.
- Think of Yourself as a “Helper” and Partner. Approach your clients in the spirit of what you can do to help them and not by focusing on what you will gain. With this as your mindset you cannot go wrong.
- Encourage and Collaborate with other Small Businesses. Think of yourself as part of a bigger community of Small Business Owners. Lend your support where you can and find ways to work together. Creating a community of Small Businesses really strengthens us all.
Following these 4 tips really helps me incorporate my belief in Karma and the Golden Rule into my own Small Business. Because of this, I know my business is run ethically and honestly.
I have been able to build upon this and develop a company “mission statement” that makes both me and my clients happy.....and that is the kind of success that means the most to me!
I close with these words from author Debbie Ford;
“Remember, all the answers you need are inside of you; you only have to become quiet enough to hear them.”
Kimberly Go Small Business!
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