In business, it is important to be philosophical and think about why you are in business and what you want to get out of it. Business isn’t just about making money. For most founders, there is a much deeper reason for why they do what they do. They must also be aware of how to plan for a business transition. Some of us have the need to create, others the need to improve the world, and then there are those who just want to create more financial security for themselves and their families. Whatever the reason behind you starting your business, be sure that you know what that reason is, as it will make achieving it so much easier.
After years of being in business, I have finally created my own personal philosophy of business, and the core of it is that I want to improve the world. But a big part of my philosophy is also that the people you do business with matter more than the deals you make. What I mean is that I have learned that you have to be in business with people you trust and want to work with. I have actually turned down profitable deals just because I did not want to work with that person. Making a deal with someone when your gut tells you not to can be very expensive and end very badly.
I also have a rule about always trying to help others when they come to me for help, and I enjoy nothing more than mentoring and teaching others what I have learned. However, I do not always have time to help everybody who comes to me, but I do what I can. If you haven’t tried teaching before, I highly recommend it, as it gives you so much back. When teaching, I sometimes meet the most interesting people who are full of energy and fantastic ideas. In many ways, I learn just as much from them as they do from me.
To sum up what I am trying to say: don’t just do business to do business. Realize what you want to get out of it, and the whole process will be so much easier.
Frumkvöðull í meira en 20 ár. Stofnandi 7 fyrirtækja og Frumkvöðlar-samfélagsins. Skrifar um ferðalagið — gott og illt.
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