Many of the biggest business success stories have sprung from models more focused on adding value to peoples’ lives than on the dogged pursuit of profits.
Henry Ford’s mission, for example, was to create a car the masses could afford. Google’s mission was to make information universally accessible and useful, and of course the profits followed.
While profits are a great gauge of the value delivered by a company, I submit that the heart and soul and attitudes within any business must spring from a greater purpose than the almighty dollar.
This particular ENS on Sales blog was sparked by the co-incidental number of heart-felt thank you calls I’ve received recently.
One person who I hadn’t been in touch with for years called me out of the blue last week. He had simply called to thank me. He said that even though he’s not in our industry any longer, he is a leader in the food service industry; his success in that industry stems from what he learned from me in radio sales years ago.
Shortly after that call, I was gratified to hear a regional radio and TV manager tell me “you were the one who taught me to sell 52-week campaigns, a skill which still serves my company well today.”
After several of these calls back to back, I thought about the indebtedness I have to these successful sellers.
I estimate that only 20% of sales people really aspire to our message and principles. But, it is that 20% that is responsible for 80% of the success at their respective companies, and it is that 20% that makes what we do at ENS Media so rewarding.
So thanks for the memories and thanks to that 20% for “getting it.” Seeing you succeed makes everything we do worthwhile!