Creating a Business with a Purpose

What do you think are the main motivating factors for people nowadays? Is it money? Is it more free time?

One aspect of intrinsic motivation that I have found in others is having a definite purpose in life and in their work.

You need to do something that matters and strive to make a difference in the world. It does not all have to be about profits. You can make a profit while also making the world a better place. Whether that be through your products or services or the charitable donations from a certain percent of profits.

The higher purpose motive is how I try run my leadership business. I make it about a cause larger than myself. Which is helping others became great in their lives and their work.

You must find and create for yourself and your employees an objective greater than themselves.

The three parts of creating a business with a purpose alongside profits includes your priorities, direction, and actions.

I believe profit maximization can be equal with and live alongside purpose maximization and to strive for a goal that is bigger than yourself. Here is my take.

Priorities-

What are the priorities you are setting up in your business besides profit? We all want to thrive, but what can you work towards besides profit that will ultimately benefit the world we live in? This should be the priority for you business and mission objectives. Can you create something that will make a difference in this world? I believe people are no longer motivated by the reward and punishments methods of doing business. Profit can be the catalyst for change, rather than the objective.

Direction-

After your business priorities are hammered out, you have to think about the direction you company will go in. Is it going for fast growth? Slow and steady? Small, but impactful? I believe you can work on your business and also consider the direction you want to take it. For example, this is about the road map you are using. If you are in San Francisco, but I give you a map of New York to use, you probably won’t get to your desired destination or outcome. You need to be working with the most accurate map to get there. Only you, as the owner can decide what map to use, and what you will focus on. Focusing on the most accurate road map creates synergy. And a group working towards a common goal can accomplish more than any individual person can accomplish working separately. Your words matter when describing your company or compiling your “mission” statement. You should be using words that inspire cooperation and working towards ideas bigger than each individual person.

Actions-

Next up is your actions, where the rubber meets the road. Allow your team a certain amount of funds to donate to their charity of choice. It has been shown repeatedly that people are naturally generous, and they feel good about giving.

Allow employees one day a week to focus on ideas that are meaningful to them but can still contribute to the bottom line. This is beneficial to the person, and to the company. Google is famous for using this method of allowing their employees 20% “garbage” time, and this has produced some of their most profitable products, and allows your team to have ownership over the results.

Overall, the attitude about purpose in your organization starts with you. If you embody the higher purpose spirit, that example will show in your work and organization. And will then allow you to make a positive change in the world.

We live in unprecedented times. You have the whole world of knowledge at your fingertips. What will you do with it? Will you create something good, and help the various causes of the world?