In Over Your Head

How to improve your business immediately

You know when people say, “He’s both a successful business person, and a pillar of his community”? It seems like one always goes with the other, doesn’t it? I have a feeling that they do belong together, but not for the reason you’d think.

I think “pillar of your community” leads to “successful business,” and not the other way around.

People want to work with people they know and like. So the easiest way to work with the people you’ve been dying to work for is to be a person they know and like, right?

I think the guy that helps out the neighbourhood Boy Scout troupe is the guy that everybody knows, and that’s why he’s successful, not the other way around. After all, how can you say no to a guy who drives your kids to soccer practice, has the neighbours over for barbecue, and leads the PTA meetings? If he’s a friendly, competent guy, you’d go for him over the competitor every time, right?

So maybe your next move shouldn’t be more advertising. Maybe it should be to actually participate with your community, instead.

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2 responses to “How to improve your business immediately”

  1. Susan Murphy Avatar
    Susan Murphy

    Exactly. Here’s a case in point. Ottawa restauranteur, Moe Attalah, owns Moe’s World Famous Newport Restaurant (home of the Elvis Sighting Society, incidentally). It’s got great food, reasonable prices and it’s always packed.

    Moe does very little advertising. He doesn’t need to. Why? Because he’s involved in just about every community event you can imagine. Not only that, but he’s the first one to help you promote your event, make a generous donation, or provide his restaurant for your fundraiser.

    He’s a pillar of the community, to be sure. Here’s the thing. Being a pillar of the community is a great way to help your business succeed. But if you decide to be a “pillar” ONLY so your business will succeed, then you’re doing it wrong.

    Moe’s genuine intent is always to help people first. His resulting success is a by-product of his generosity.

    Oops – did it again – I think my comment is longer than your whole post! (Sorry dude:)

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  2. Laurence Miall Avatar
    Laurence Miall

    I think that’s a great point. Where does that leave businesses that work chiefly in new media, such as web companies, which often inhabit faceless office buildings with few tangible links to communities and neighbourhoods?

    Undoubtedly, building an online presence is invaluable for such new media companies, but an offline presence — one rooted in the bricks and mortar (and issues) of the cities and towns we live — is equally, if not more important. I believe people are still far more likely to trust and do business with business people that they meet in person as opposed to those they only “meet” online.

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