One of the Keys to Business Success: It’s All About People!

Having managed, grown, and turned around businesses across multiple industries, I'm often asked, "How do you step into such different businesses and operations and make sense of it all?" My answer is always the same: "What’s the common denominator across all businesses?"

It’s people!

Employees, customers, suppliers — they’re all people and the lifeblood of any business. The relationships we build with them is where the magic happens.

Back in the day (okay, more than 40 years ago), John Naisbitt’s Megatrends introduced the phrase “high tech, high touch.” It was a groundbreaking idea: even in a world increasingly dominated by technology, people still crave personal, human connection. Fast forward to our virtual era, and it feels like we’ve overlooked this timeless truth.

Spoiler alert: it’s still critical to business success.

Engage and Motivate: The Employee Factor

Here’s the deal: how well you engage and motivate the people connected to your business largely determines your success. Bold statement? Maybe. True? Absolutely. Take it from someone who’s been in the trenches.

Start with your employees.

Whether you have a team of two or 200, keep them in the loop. Let them know where the business stands, what your plans are, and why they matter. Show them how their roles contribute to the bigger picture. Even if you’re a fully virtual company, make it a point to have face-to-face meetings, periodically. Those connections build trust and make everyone feel like they’re part of something greater than themselves.

People Buy From People

That's a fact! Sure, commodity products are easily ordered online, and price is a huge factor. But even then, the user experience matters. How engaging is your website? How easy is it to navigate and place an order? That ease and engagement often determine whether a customer buys from you, or bounces to a competitor.

For larger, consultative sales, it’s all about relationships.

The more you understand your prospect’s business and how your product or service meets their needs, the more comfortable they’ll feel choosing your company. And guess what? Engaged employees are more likely to foster these customer relationships. When customers call with questions or concerns, your team’s enthusiasm and support can solidify their loyalty.

Suppliers: The Unsung Heroes

Suppliers might not be top of mind, but they’re just as critical to your success. Even if you’re a small piece of their business, invest in building a strong relationship from the start.

Meet with their leadership, share your company’s goals, and show them how important their partnership is to you. Learn about their business, too, and find ways to motivate them to work with you. When the day comes that you need a rush order or flexible payment terms, that solid relationship could make all the difference.

The Bottom Line

At the end of the day, business is still a people game. Employees, customers, suppliers — how well you engage and motivate them is often the deciding factor between success and struggle, both in the short and long term.

“The Entrepreneur’s Yoda” knows these things. He's been there. May success be with you!

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