The reason this boy is smiling is because he is wearing a brand new pair of shoes. That is because with every pair of shoes TOMS sells, they give a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Now that adds meaning to business!
In a straight talking article Why Passion Won't Build A Business, the author makes a very good argument for adding meaning to your business. Passion is not enough to build your business - you can't only rely on passion to sell your product or service. You need to satisfy an urgent need in your customer, or solve a problem for them. If your passion for collecting antique cars does not align with what customers want, no matter how passionate you are about it, if there is not a need for your service or product based on your passion then you will have no customers.
But passion can be sustained for longer and more valuably if you add meaning to your passion. Align your passion with your values, and work towards a meaningful goal. Not just meaningful for you, but for your community, for the rest of the world. That way, you will be fueled through the tough times with the strong desire that working with meaning creates. A desire to forge ahead, to push through the dark times, to take criticism in your stride and to hold the light of your meaning and your values high.
TOM's brings meaning and passion together in a formidable way - they are creating social change and social good all over the world. Imagine if you could do that with your product?
No comments:
Post a Comment