After checking out this article (9 Questions: Tony Hsieh, Zappos http://t.co/IUxQld1 ) I was reminded of many things.
First thing was just how much I like Tonys thoughts on customer service as well as the dynamic in the work place. He puts the importance back into people, not money. Secondly, I was reminded of how my grandfather, who started his own business many moons ago, was obviously in it for profit but understood the importance of people. I was also reminded of my wife’s 101 year old grandfather that recently passed away, he too was a business owner and it was beyond evident that he understood the power and importance of people.
The point is, there seems to have been a big gap from the days of our grandfathers, who seemed to honor and respect people, to today, where we seem to be heading back toward the time of cultivating relationships first and putting the significance of money second.
My first question is, where in the hell did we go wrong in the first place? How did we ever allow ourselves to view money as more important than a person? My second question, more a statement, is that I think the significance of social good and people is trending higher each day…and I would say social media has much to do with that.
So, back to the point, not that I was off point…there is definitively, nothing more important than relationships between people. Whether it is business to person, person to person, or any other combination you can come up with…NOTHING is more important than people and the cultivation of relationships.
So get your minds out of the business gutter and just start “RELATING” to people…be human!
Related articles
- In Customer Service Power = Responsibility (customerthink.com)
- Zappos founder Tony Hsieh enjoys the good life (seattletimes.nwsource.com)
- 5 Rock Star Business Twitter Accounts (webpagefx.com)
Maybe it’s the fact our grandparents survived the Great Depression and remembered what it was like to truly have very little. People tend to be a little kinder and much more understanding when they have endured hardship. Most everything you and even I have grown up with is all about ME. This is mine. I want that. Get out of my way. etc. Totally self-centered and downright rude in some instances. It all began because our folks wanted better for their children and grandchildren. However big business smelling blood made many people think they were entitled to live above their means. After all, Mom & Dad or Grandpa could bail them out if they got in a jam, right?
Social Media may be help to remedy at least the rudeness to or disinterest in people, but true manners and empathy and kindness still come from what is acceptable or taught in your home and maybe, too a little hardship. I believe unless more people open their eyes and realize they can live a happy life with a lot less “stuff” and a lot more seeing the world around them and joining in, they will be lost when finances in our country take another swan dive. And it will happen again. It already is.
Great points Cheri…love this part “It all began because our folks wanted better for their children and grandchildren. However big business smelling blood made many people think they were entitled to live above their means.:…absolutely.
And I definitely agree that it comes down to the values and morals taught in the home…so sad to see.
Hope you are well Cheri, thank you very much for the comment!!