Why Are You In Business?

Why are you in business? I mean really, what is it that makes you want to open your doors every day to customers even when you feel lousy, or it's the first day of fishing season, an absolutely beautiful day for a round of golf, or it's opening day at the ballpark?

When you ask yourself why you're in business, chances are your answer will be like my first answer: it will be about making a living and providing for your family. But you could accomplish those purposes with almost any job. So why are you in this business and why do you operate it the way you do? Are you getting any closer to a different answer? Now let's change the question around a bit and ask what gives you the most satisfaction in your work. Chances are different answers will appear. Now it's not so much a matter of making money or creating wealth or ensuring your future security.

When you ask yourself about satisfaction in your work, then you may find that the reason you're in business might be the pleasure you get in knowing your customers will be driving safer vehicles. Or perhaps it's the pleasure of saving your customers some time so they can get on with their busy days a little sooner. Maybe your satisfaction comes from handling difficult technical problems quickly and correctly. Whatever it is that gives you the most satisfaction in your work: chances are that's really why you're in business. We're in business because we get to do what satisfies us the most.

Two Reasons to Know Why

So why do I ask this? I raise this question for two reasons. First, being reminded of the deeper reason why you are in business helps renew your sense of purpose. This alone can make a big difference in the amount of satisfaction you derive from your work. It may even give you new ideas for developing or improving your business. If you've been feeling stuck or stagnated in your business lately, this little exercise may pay huge ividends for you in renewed energy and sense of purpose.

The second reason for asking this question has to do with your employees. Everyone wants to feel that their work has a good purpose. And when we know that our work serves a good purpose, we work harder because it's more satisfying and we crave that satisfaction. If your employees don't know the real reason you're in business, they should.

Big ideas and important causes inspire people to do great things. Just consider the stories of heroics and suffering from World War II for a few moments and I'm sure you'll agree. When people believe they are part of a larger mission, a mission that has an important purpose, they do great things. When you have a good purpose for being in business - as I'm sure you do - and your employees know and share this purpose, then your employees will work harder than ever and take pleasure from their work.

We all want to be a part of something great. I urge you to spend some time to reflect on that larger reason why you are in business. And when you are sure you know this reason, make sure your employees know about it. Help them see the benefit of working for this same good purpose. It will help you build a better future. You'll build a better future for yourself and your employees - and that's a fine purpose in itself.

return to top