Delivering Happiness
I was shooting the shit (AKA. Talking) with a buddy of mine, in my office today. We started talking about business and happiness. The conversation was started by him recognizing my chalk board walls and the writing that is on them. (my wife and I painted 50% of the walls in our office with chalkboard paint to help us visually layout our ideas and thoughts everyday)
This particular section of the wall was designated for our “Star Customers”, the customers that do everything right and then some. This list is ongoing and ever changing to help us identify what makes up our Star customers and how we can get more of them.
For us, a Star customer recognizes growth potential in themselves and their business, they want to learn and better themselves rather than having someone spoon feed them everything. Knowing this, we can manipulate our current business systems to reward these Star customers. This is not standard business logic, “rewarding customers, it will never work, we’ll lose money on that”, says corporate America.
We’re starting to see this ‘new agey’ business logic with a lot of young business owners because they’ve seen how happy customers (and employees) make for an extremely profitable and Happy business.
Maybe I’m noticing this new model in more businesses recently because I’m reading Tony Hsieh’s (CEO of Zappos) new book, “Delivering Happiness” (http://www.deliveringhappinessbook.com), which is absolutely incredibly! This book is an overview of Tony’s life (Personally & Professionally), with his wins and losses along the way. He’s inspired me to be better at focusing on happiness instead of money, and then the money will take care of itself.
I’m striving to make every business I’m involved with a true success (according to my customers and employees), not Gross Profits. My wife & I are super passionate about this and challenge you to look at life this way. Take a look at Tony’s new book and tell us what you get of it, here’s the Amazon link if you’d like to buy it and check it out (http://www.amazon.com/deliveringhappiness).
Make others Happy in Life and you will be too!
Have an Awesome Day!
~Chais Meyer
Hsieh Good stuff, huh? I have tons more on the subject- a lifetime worth of collecting. I do share.
Hope to talk to you soon.
Hey Betty!
I’d love to hear what you have to say on the topic…why not start a blog about it or something?
if you would seriously be interested in starting, continuing and growing your blog, I’d be interested in having my company (Control Yours) sponsor it, at no cost to you!
What do you think?
Chais
Dude,
I have not read any of the book, but I heard Tony interviewed on some dateline thing. I was completely impressed with him and his story. To hear someone who could potentially “have it all” say that he has seen that the happiest people he knows are not people with much buying power. Then, to put his money where his mouth is….that is powerful. He has earned my respect.
I see a shift taking place in postmoderna. Young people are asking questions like “what will make me happy?” and “how can I impact the world in a transformational way?” instead of “How can I get the most money the fastest?” or “how do I get the American Dream?”. I love it. Thanks for sharing what you are passionate about.
Tyler
Tyler,
Thanks for commenting man! You’re comment is right on and I’m super excited to see what’s going to happen these next five years with young business owners and leaders!
Who knows, maybe we’ll have another hippie revolution where everyone ACTUALLY Wants to help everyone!
Peace
,
Chais
Great thoughts, I’ve always been of the mind that you need to be doing something you enjoy, and more on the side of love than tolerate. Keep that a focus! Scoped out your business developments, I’m reminded of all my endeavors half running or fully up. Huffing it on “foot” and seeking passive income in the process. Love it, and well done with the physical businesses.