What’s your reaction to the article title this month? Business is Very Good

Just notice….your thoughts, your emotions, your body….

Rabbi Daniel Lapin’s book: “Thou Shall Prosper”; Sir Richard Branson’s book: “Business Stripped Bare” and Jeffrey Duzer’s “Why Business Matters to God” show that capitalism and business are good. Next month I’ll write about Lapin/capitalism; this month our focus is business/Duzer-Branson. They say (in their own unique ways) that business exists for three main purposes:

1-To serve. To serve the common good by providing goods and services that enable the community to flourish and by providing meaningful and creative jobs for people

2-To do no harm or in other words pursue sustainable relationships: with the earth and its inhabitants, with other organizations/institutions, with investors, vendors, employees, communities, etc. for the good of all

3- To make a profit. In the context of and for the purpose of the other two.

Business’ reputation has been tarnished over the years by executives and their organizations shooting ONLY for profit at the expense of all else. By the few exceptions noted in the media, business as a whole is now considered bad or wrong and so is capitalism.

It’s no wonder that we struggle as entrepreneurs both wanting to be successful and not wanting to condone or be a part of such an evil. The collective mindset is holding many of you back.

By now you know that tracking progress and celebrating are important to your success, so pull out a piece of paper and give yourself some credit. Go back to each of the three purposes for business and write down:

1-In what ways are you providing goods and services that enable the community to flourish?

In what ways are you providing meaningful and creative jobs for people?

2-What sustainable relationships do you have? (with the earth, other organizations, employees, vendors, etc.)

What’s the blessing of each one?

3-What is your business profit?

Profit is all of your business income less all of your business expenses. I’ll be speaking on financials this fall so check out the schedule below if you don’t know how to answer this question.

You probably thought of things you could be doing too – so go ahead, delegate, extend your reach, sign that contract, make some money….

I want you to know that your business is very good. And encourage…exhort you even to continue to grow your business so that the local, national, or global community benefits from your goods and services; so that your business provides meaningful and creative work for others to do what they love; you and your company create sustainable relationships that not only do no harm, they restore harm already done; and to make a profit, make money and keep lots of it so that you have a sustainable business that helps sustain the earth, our community, your family and your life.

Share thoughts and revelations below.