Pay vs. Purpose. What is your priority?

The following question was posed to my LinkedIn community...

"Do we have the discipline to turn down the job that only pays well in favor of the one that leaves us feeling good at the end of the day?" - Simon Sinek

The replies so far are heavily in favor of the latter statement that focuses on feeling good. Not surprising. The next question I beg to ask is...are we matching our beliefs with our actual behavior?

How about these questions? 

When you go to work are you crystal clear on why your company exists? "To make money" is a result, not a reason. 

Do you work among people who are committed to the same company goals and mission that you are? Do you "feel it", or is there tangible evidence? 

What exactly is it that makes you feel good at the end of the day? 

The recession that commenced in 2008 has changed our world forever. Businesses must operate differently. The workforce and job seeking community need to adjust as well. The shift I see consistently is the desire to be attached to a business with clear purpose, beliefs and values. How fast is this happening? Your answers to the above questions will give the best indicator.  

Marketing advice that will sustain and inspire

If you care about marketing you should do yourself two favors.

1. Absorb everything Seth Godin says. 
2. Absorb everything Simon Sinek says. 

One man's opinion. 

I'm attracted to great leaders. As Sinek describes in "Start With Why" great leaders communicate differently than the rest of us. Read it and you will likely embrace what he calls the Golden Circle, which stresses the importance of telling us why you do what you do.

Godin tells us to tell stories, not recite slogans. Stories will spread...the "facts" won't. He emphasizes humility, generosity and clarity as ingredients in great stories. 

Sinek and Godin arrive at similar conclusions from different perspectives. Their ideas are inspiring, refreshing and seemingly within reach because they are rooted in disciplined, clear thinking. 

Marketing can be a struggle. It helps to have a baseline of beliefs that can be a safe place to begin the process of reassessing your strategy. 

Take advantage of the teachings of these great leaders. I have learned more from them than any text book or manager I have worked for in the past. 

Do you want a millionaire's lifestyle without first having $1M?

Can I see a show of hands from all who are interested?

When I read Tim Ferriss' "The 4-Hour Workweek" a few years back I wasn't thinking about why he wrote it. I was fascinated by his formula for how he created this lifestyle. Enlightened by the teachings of Simon Sinek in "Start With Why" I have gone back and reviewed many of the books I have read to find the "why."

Ferriss' why is in the title of this particular blog. He found a way to create happiness and wealth in a manner that challenged conventional wisdom. He inspires you to believe that anything is possible and that your life can be set up any way you design it. His book is worth reading, even if you approach it with skepticism.

Ferriss proves that people hold powerful beliefs and a sense of purpose in how you can live your life. Most of us don't think consciously about our beliefs, never mind sharing them with others. If you are interested in being inspired by stories that act as case studies from his book, I recommend that you follow his blog. You may read something that will change your life.

Would you like to communicate better?

I know I would.

On Wednesday May 2nd @ 6:00P I will speak at the New Britain Public Library. I will share what I have learned from the book "Start with Why" by Simon Sinek.

This information will impact anyone who needs to communicate effectively in their job, or in their life in general. We will discuss how great communicators are able to inspire...and how you can do the same.

If you are interested in attending please go to www.meetup.com. Search for the Hartford area "Start With Why" group. Once there you can let us know if you will attend.

If you are interested in starting a business, turning an idea into a social movement, finding a job that is a better fit or learning how to inspire instead of manipulate...please join us.

Champions of "why"...Sandler Training

David Sandler developed one of the most effective sales training systems used by professional salespeople throughout the world. In his book "You Can't Teach a Kid to Ride a Bike at a Seminar", Sandler explains his 7-step guide for successful selling. In my opinion it is a must read for salespeople and business owners.

If you want to know why Sandler Training exists, I suggest you look at what their customers say:

"Sandler makes our sales personnel look very different to prospects than our competition,
who are using a potpourri of classic sales pitches." - David Pendley, President, First Capital Corp. 

"The Sandler Selling System® methodology has made a very positive impact on changing the culture of my district sales force as well as our customers." - Mike Miles, District Manager, LENNOX Industries

Customer comments often have more "why" impact than the mission statement coming from the company's management and marketing teams. 

Why is this important? Sandler doesn't strive to be the lowest priced, shiniest, newest product on the shelf. They don't need to be. They help sales pros "be viewed differently than their competitors" and they "change the culture" which has a positive effect on customers. 

You will hire Sandler because you appreciate their "why". People don't buy what you do...they buy why you do it. Once again, thank you Simon! 

Champions of "why"...Wounded Warrior Project

"People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it." - Simon Sinek

In the case of the Wounded Warrior Project their mission statement summarizes their "why":

"To foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation's history."

On the heels of the Vietnam War era it's understandable why an organization would have this mission. 

I selected the Wounded Warrior Project as the first of many organizations I will feature who have a clear sense of why they do what they do. The goal of most organizations is to be successful, and sustain for the long term. Wounded Warrior Project didn't want to be "just another charity asking for money." Have you heard that sentiment before? 

Never underestimate the importance of having clarity about why you do what you do. "Why" separates you from the pack. It attracts people who believe what you believe. The veterans, WWP staff, donors, volunteers and corporate sponsors are crystal clear on why they work together. 

My goal for this blog is to initiate a conversation about the importance of "why" and how it can inspire us to take action. 

I laugh when I think of how I met Simon

I was involved in an email volley with my friend Chris Thompson back in January. The email topics ranged from taxes to wealth. Out of nowhere he sends a link to a YouTube video that he had recently seen at a seminar. He thought it was worth 18 minutes of my time.

He was right.

Life has defining moments of varying degrees. This was one of them. Simon Sinek was making a presentation in this video about the concept of "starting with Why". Since then I have looked at the world, and my life quite differently.

The hook in his presentation has to do with the manner in which some of us communicate versus others. He focused on Apple Inc., the Wright Brothers and Martin Luther King and their unique style of communication. He explained why they have been successful in their respective missions. If you watch the video you will agree that it makes sense. The part that intrigues me most is that so few people have the insight and discipline to communicate in this manner.

In the future this blog will delve into the deep mysteries of "why". I will share inspiring stories. Other posts will relate to business and personal successes tied to the why. Why do we choose the careers we are in? Why are our favorite hobbies what they are?

I'm convinced the world will be a better place if we care to understand this phenomenon. I hope that you agree.

A blog with impact

You never have to figure out Southwest Airlines' mission. It is integrated into almost everything they do. Look at their blog for further evidence. 

"Making a Difference in the Lives of Families Facing Serious Illness One Ticket At A Time"

Here's a brilliant example of how Southwest reinforces their company mission, while using social media and their blog to build a strong public relations brand.

"People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it" - Simon Sinek.

Southwest is more than an airline. In this instance they choose to embrace the idea of helping others who are experiencing adversity in their lives. Not only is it noble, it serves as a way to unite their employees, vendors and customers around goals and objectives of the company. Did you notice I didn't say profit or shareholder value?

Once again, Southwest Airlines shows you what they do well, and reminds you of the importance of demonstrating why you are in business.

Does your marketing inspire or manipulate?

This question has more to do with marketing strategy than social media marketing. Depending on how you answer this question will determine how you will use social media.

I owe this topic to Simon Sinek, author of Start With Why. His book looks at the tactics used in advertising to motivate consumers to buy.

During the holiday season a noted national retailer featured daily ads with offers such as: "Buy one suit and get 4 shirts absolutely free". The next day it was 4 shirts and 2 pair of pants. By now they must be paying customers to take their goods. The timing and offer manipulate you to act now...while getting used to receiving a lot of free stuff.

When I use the term manipulation I use it in a "nice" way. Manipulation on its face sounds evil. By no means does this advertiser, nor others using this strategy fit that label.

Let's consider a contrasting message. My favorite charity is the Wounded Warrior Project. Their ad, voiced by country star Trace Adkins features our veterans coming home from war with missing limbs and needing a wide range of services to allow them to transition back to society. WWP asks for a monthly donation to help their cause. If you have any appreciation for the military and the sacrifices they make, you may be inspired to help.

My sense is that marketing that inspires will generate more loyalty than marketing that manipulates. Watch this year's political ads and ask yourself...inspiring or manipulative?

What was the last thing you bought solely because you were inspired?