Teed & Brown, Inc. reposted this
"What can I do for you?" vs. "What's in it for me?" A few years ago, I had the chance to meet a couple of guys running a much larger company in my industry. They were several states away, so we weren’t direct competitors, but their operation was several times the size of mine. As we talked, I became more intrigued by how they ran things, and almost offhandedly, I said, "Boy, I’d love to come see your operation sometime." Without missing a beat, the CEO replied, "Absolutely, no problem. Let’s keep in touch, and you’re more than welcome to check it out." I was a little surprised at the open-door policy. Maybe he had an ulterior motive? Still, I took him up on the offer, and soon, I was visiting their headquarters with three of my managers. They welcomed us in, walked us through their offices and warehouses, introduced us to their managers, and answered every question we threw at them. At no point did anyone ask, "What’s in it for us?" At another conference, I met a bit of a legend in the landscaping industry. He had built his business from his late teens into what I can only assume was a nine-figure sale by the time he retired. We sat down for a drink, and he told me that one of his favorite things was mentoring other business owners. If someone called and wanted to pick his brain, he would literally hop in his car, drive eight hours, and spend time helping them improve. And you know what? He told me that even the smallest businesses often taught him something new, something he could bring back to his own company. These two experiences aren’t unique, but they aren’t the norm either. I’ve met plenty of people in this industry who operate under the "What’s in it for me?" mindset. They guard their knowledge, treat others as rivals rather than colleagues, and try to win every negotiation instead of simply being helpful. And yet, in my experience, those folks tend to run smaller, less successful businesses. The most accomplished entrepreneurs I’ve met, the ones who built something truly remarkable, are the ones who share openly, collaborate freely, and help others without expecting anything in return. And if those people ever call me for a favor, I won’t hesitate. So, which kind of business owner are you? The one who keeps everything locked away, or the one who lifts others up? In my experience, the difference in outcome is stark. Oh, and if I can ever help you in some way? Don't hesitate to reach out.