Have you ever noticed that each year business gets more and more complicated? I remember when I started my career 25 years ago, we would turn up service for a new business via a one-page contract. Today that contract barely will fit into a 1 inch binder, and even then work doesn’t start until a Purchase Order is issued. What has happened?
We could come up with many reasons for why this has devolved, but rather than debate those reasons, I want to go “Back to the Business Basics.” I have always enjoyed the business because the foundations are logical, consistent, and follow certain guiding foundational principals. When those principles are not followed there is failure.
As I mentor individuals who are just entering the business world, or as I perform my own management functions, I am asked to give guidance on a wide range of work challenges. In all these questions, the solution always comes through focusing the problem on one of these key principals.
With that I will start with the first and foremost principal: All businesses exist to make money. The only exception are non-profit companies, in which case this primary objective is met by donors and significant effort is spent in this pursuit. The companies vision statement or objective statement may say something else, but those words are written to focus the company in how they will meet this primary principal …make as much money as possible.
Companies have gotten exceptionally good in obscuring how they accomplish this goal, but remember this goal is always, always there. Never be deceived by thinking otherwise. As soon as you think the mission is different, and they are a for profit business, you are about to run into problems.
This principle goes beyond companies. Every person and individual in your company is there first and foremost to make money. The only exception is if that person is independently wealthy and no longer needs the money to live. In that case, that individual has some alternate motivation such as power, prestige, or a more noble calling of helping others. Think about it, why do you work? I guarantee you the primary reason is to make money. Secondary is some alternate personal motivation.
How does this change how you work? When looking at a problem, a project, or a new position, evaluate how that role connects to how the company makes money. Then Focus on those projects that will make money for your company. If you aren’t that close to the external customer, draw the line from your job to that external money. It may be a long line, but it exists somewhere. If you don’t know this line, you are in for a rude awakening one day when the business isn’t making enough to pay for everyone. The shorter the line to the money making of the business or the customer, the higher the value you are providing to the company, and the greater chance for ongoing career stability and success.
In a conflict, determine why the conflict exists in light of whether the issue will make money for the business, or if it will cause an individual to be impacted in making money. Underlying a vast majority of problems or personality conflicts is this fundamental fact. Find a way to address this underlying challenge and often you can resolve the broader conflict.
Find a job where you are saving or growing the business by more than the money the company is paying you
