Profits…from Kindness?
Profits…from Kindness?
Every time someone resigns, your company loses money.
Every time you have a dissatisfied customer and you don’t solve their problem, you lose money.
When someone (including you) is burned out, you aren’t as productive, and the bottom line is compromised.
According to Gallup, low employee engagement is estimated to cost the global economy $8.9 trillion this year.
In her book, The Profit of Kindness, Jill Lublin teaches seven approaches to business, all of which when implemented, increase what she calls “The Big Five”:
Profits
Revenues
Customers
Connectivity
Prospects
The seven approaches not only create great results in business, but also in life.
Here they are:
Connection
We all want to connect, to be seen & heard, to be known. It’s in our DNA to want to belong, for others to really “get” us. Take the time to truly know the people you are surrounded with, what matters to them and makes them tick.
Gratitude
Showing appreciation for a job well done is not just an annual experience on a formal report. Notice those who always can be counted on, praise someone for a great idea, shine the light on someone you see really striving to make a difference.
Patience
How can you give more time or space to those you work with or serve? When you feel triggered, take a breath, stop, and think before you say anything or write an email you cannot take back. Every one of us needs patience, including you, so give yourself some grace as well when you aren’t performing at your highest level. Maybe that’s an indication you need a break.
Flexibility
People need and want this badly because most people’s lives are full and we are not all wired the same way. Consider different shifts to match the times of day/week people tend to have the highest level of focus and energy. Parents may need to come in after drop-off time. Millennials may need to sleep in longer but work later. Not all of your customers are going to need the same cookie-cutter approach to serving them. How can you be more flexible with them?
Generosity
Surprise and delight your customers or team members by offering something above and beyond the usual. Can you give everyone their birthday off as an additional holiday each year? What bonus could you offer a customer for paying in full upfront? When you go the extra mile for most people, they will go the extra mile for you.
Compassion
When people come to work, they come with every burden they are bearing personally as well. They may be tired, strapped financially, have a relationship on the rocks or a parent who is ill. Showing empathy and patience when people are overwhelmed can create employee loyalty that in turn helps your bottom line. And we all need this at one time or another.
Positivity
A smile, an encouraging word, and an attitude of “together we can do anything” all lift people up and help them feel good in their work environment. Showing confidence in your ability to manage any challenges and treating them like growing opportunities frees people to embrace the situation and jump in to do their best to contribute.
Lublin says, “Kindness is heart to heart currency.” When you incorporate these seven approaches, you will see how The Big Five all increase, so everyone wins.
Listen to this week’s podcast to learn, “The Platinum Rule” as well as stories of generosity in business that created massive returns.
If you’d like to discuss more ways you can reduce turnover and overcome burnout, email me at cindy@cindysmarsh.com.
