About Purpose is about your purpose.
Aim: Identify and articulate your purpose.
Arm: Shape yourself around your purpose.
Act: Achieve your purpose.
Programs:
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Something Bigger, Something Better
Bob Ryan, About Purpose, Inc. ©2006
I am in, arguably, one of the best positions in the business world. As a consultant, I have permission to ask the tough questions, to challenge business people to examine themselves, their motives, and their actions. It’s okay for me to ask people if what they’re doing is all they ought to be doing; whether there is something bigger, something better. In return, I get to see people grow, their worlds expand, their businesses and their employees prosper.
In doing research on a project, I ran across a book entitled Faith and Fortune: The Quiet Revolution to Reform American Business by Marc Gunther. From the jacket notes: “Faith and Fortune argues that an exciting new model of conducting business is taking hold...that corporations can become a powerful force for good in the world, and that they can – and should – serve people and not the other way around...Today, forward-thinking executives build their businesses by developing a network of long-lasting, win-win relationships. Great companies serve their workers, customers, shareholders and the common good.” By “faith,” Gunther is not talking about religious proselytizing, but rather a true belief that we can make a difference in the world.
Never has this quiet revolution been more pressing. With stories of high level corruption and malfeasance streaming through the media, it is clear that there is a culture in the marketplace focused on short term, self-serving gain. I’m not a doom-sayer. I don’t believe that is the condition of the marketplace in general. Books like Gunther’s reinforce the fact that there are strong, influential forces in business that constantly invest in something bigger, something better. But I am a realist. It is not the inherent nature of humankind to work for the common good. If there is to be a successful cultural revolution, we must all be in the “consulting” business – the business of asking the tough questions and challenging people to look beyond their actions to their purpose.
This stance is not altogether altruistic. Gunther, and many others find that doing good is good for business. Researchers find a clear link between companies’ passion for doing good and a whole host of metrics such as employee satisfaction, productivity, financial stability, etc.
Does this idea strike a chord somewhere deep within? Here are some steps you can take to join this “quiet revolution” to making a difference in your corner of the world.
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Do a self-examination: what are you really here for? What’s beyond your vision for your business?
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Create an in-house discussion: “What can we do that will truly make a difference?”
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Partner up with others who are already doing what you’d like to do. Support a social service agency, an arts organization or a faith-based agency like Habitat for Humanity, or Hope for the Cities.
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Consider engaging in cause-marketing in which you publicly tie your success with a cause.
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Think of the variety of ways you might help others – donations, in-kind funding, matching grants, loaned personnel, etc.
Does this idea fall totally flat? Then maybe you need to bring in a consultant who can begin the process of asking you the tough questions. Because you’re missing out on what can fundamentally change your business and your life – the accomplishment of something bigger, something better.