Improve Your Bottom Line: People > Profit

“The customer is always right.”?

This old mantra may be helpful in some ways.? But it is misleading in other, more critical ways.??

No person is always right.? In any healthy relationship, including business relationships, some dialogue is needed.? A little give and take.? Mutual respect and trust are required.??

And aiming to serve the other is paramount.??

I’m inviting business owners and leaders to consider working toward a better bottom line.? Not simply more pennies or a greater platform.

People > Profit.??

I find life and work to be most satisfying when I prioritize caring for the interests of others as intentionally as I do my own.

It’s invigorating to think about how we can serve companies as they solve the needs of their clients.??

Anyone can get paid to do a job.? But it’s hard to quantify the energy released when your gifts, talent, and hard work contribute to improving someone else’s life.??

What Putting Clients First is Not?

When prioritizing a client’s needs, you can’t treat them as if they are always right.? They are most likely hiring you because you have expertise and insight they do not.??

They don’t need an enabler.? They need a guide.??

You must educate your clients, give them options, and support the decisions they make for the best interests of their business – not yours.??

This may mean that, at times, you make less money.? Or even direct a potential client to a competitor.? Don’t overlook the potential of being taken advantage of, either.? It happens.??

Implementing a client-first business model does not mean giving every client what they want.? It does mean guiding them toward what’s in their best interest – regardless of how that impacts your business.??

Get off the Leash!?

Don’t worry.? This doesn’t mean you’ll only lose clients or cash.? Sincerely seeking the best interest of others, regardless of what it costs you, often has a paradoxical impact.

You may get more work.??

Why??

People trust you.? That creates loyalty and commitment.? Which typically leads to more referrals, business, and profit.??

Living – and working – as if you and your business are the most essential thing in a relationship is exhausting.? Your mental and emotional capacity doesn’t have to be tethered to self-interest.??

There’s a way out – by looking out for others.?

A Client-First Culture Has Cascading Benefits??

Aligning your business strategy around what’s best for your clients creates clarity and a shared purpose among your team.

When your entire company rallies around the client's best interest, the petty battles of self-interest dissipate.? The team focuses on what is best for someone else.??

People become more thoughtful when this culture takes shape in your business.? This helps your crew grow to care for each other instinctively and intuitively.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. ? Putting others first permeates into other businesses.??

We work with our clients to help them understand the needs of their clients.? In that, we help foster multiple cultures in various businesses that aim to serve what’s in the best interest of others.??

You can, too.?

A Case Study of a Client-First Approach?

We ask every client – what emotional problem are you trying to solve for your client???

Recently, we wrote an article on the importance of creating welcoming spaces in facilities.? During our interview process, we asked what the clients they work with want to feel.? Their answer surprised us.??

Their clients don’t want to feel overwhelmed by a construction project.??

Understanding the heart of our client’s audience helped us shape the content around practical solutions and helpful guidance that relieves stress – and gets a job done.??

This takes more time and effort.? But our clients have seen the value in putting in the work.? Not only does it position our businesses to serve deeper needs, but it also makes us healthier, more thoughtful people outside the office.??

Putting Clients First is a Firm Foundation for Your Business

My faith is teaching me to embrace the value of service.? Ancient wisdom from the Bible has proved more than relevant in my life:?

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” [Philippians 2:3-4]

My favorite memories come from being so absorbed in something else that I am unaware of myself.??

Isn’t that what happens when you find yourself hysterically laughing about something?? You don’t even notice how you sound or who sees!??

This is the deep, meaningful purpose our work can have.? We can give our best energy to making other people’s lives better.??

People > Profit.??

Cheers to a brighter future for others!?