Without A "Why", Businesses Fall

I've noticed something rather disturbing in the business world. It's gotten me thinking and I have a two-fold theory for why it's happening and what new business should do to avoid falling into the same pit.

Bigger Leads To Losing Sight Of People
When you are a small business, each and every person is important to you. You are intensely focused on how anyone who interacts with your business feels at the end of their experience. Every number is representative of a person. The bigger you get, the easier it is to lose sight of the people behind the numbers. Growth means you need to find more efficient ways to do things and are working towards productivity goals. Unfortunately, this can lead to the loss of humanity in your business. This is a problem because you never stop working with people.


You Need A Purpose Bigger Than Yourself
Without a "why", money and growth become the default. This is the second result with losing sight of people. If your business does not have a purpose or goal, you will be susceptible to the winds of the loudest voices. Companies without a vision lose themselves to the culture.

There is no way around the fact that religious organizations, particularly Christian ones, are the best at this because faith automatically gives you a purpose and vision bigger than yourself. Compassion International focuses on "releasing children from poverty in Jesus' name." (emphasis added) They don't work to get children out of poverty just to get them out of poverty. It is Jesus' call to care for orphans that motivates them and the belief that all people are made in the image of God. They have a purpose and vision given to them by God for the work they do. Something like that can last generations because it is bigger than one person.


If a company is built on one person's vision, that vision must be passed on to the next person to run the company. This may last a few generations but it will fade as other visions come in to replace the original intent. There has to be a lasting purpose. Something bigger than one person that can can last through time.

Are you wanting to start a company? Never forget people and have a purpose bigger than yourself. If you do those two things, you will be doing well.