Your Success Comes from Others

Are you using others for your own success?  Many people are trying to do just that,  the problem is the world simply doesn’t work that way.  In Corporate Social Responsibility, Kotler and Lee argue that it is not only good PR but it is actually a good investment when companies invest into their communities.

I am going to do something a little bit differently and tell you the cure, then elaborate on the problem.

The Cure

Companies that only take away from a community not only engender bad will toward themselves, but also destroy their income base for the future.

On a large scale, think about the oil nations.  Those countries that suck the life out of the ground beneath them.

Sure, this could go on for a few more years, but eventually that is going to run out.  Dubai figured out the answer.  Fifteen years ago they started dumping alot of this money back into their community and they have established one of the strongest GDP’s in the region.  The other day I was at a restaurant in St Louis, and I heard a well educated American talking about his new job.  He will be moving to Dubai to work as a civil Engineer.  They invested in their community and it has turned around for them.

The Problem

Most entities (humans, companies, societies) are so concerned about their own survival that they can’t see past the end of their nose.  Social Darwinism run rampant has led us to believe that leeching off of whoever we can is the best way to thrive.  Leeches are parasites.  People who take without giving back are – parasites. When the host dies, parasites die. 

The world is not really darwinistic.  I know it makes a lot of sense on the surface, but inevitably those entities that give back are the ones who thrive into the next generation.  The world is built to be a place of community and only those who sincerely participate in the community are valuable members.

You ever watch House?  Sometimes the whole body will go to extra work to save an organ.  Because the system is built such that none can live without the other.  Likewise, the whole body will team up against a parasite.

I want you to be an active participant in the community.  If you run a business, it is critical to your success that you make the world better for others.

Where are you a problem?

I talk alot about “using” social media for your advantage.  I confess at times I am guilty of doing exactly that.  I have seen the light!

Some folks spend time putting out information.  They tell tell tell, and never listen.  They never interact, they simply take.  You might argue, “how can you be taking when you are putting into the system?”  Well, lets break that down.

What is the system?  It is a system of relationships.  It is there so people can connect with other people. Are you connecting?  are you enhancing?  Or are you simply trying to get people to come to your webpage?  If that is your intention, you are taking people’s time, you are taking bandwidth, you are taking space that could be used for real interaction.

It is time to give back. Look through some status updates.  Is someone sick?  Tell them you hope they feel better, send an ecard.  Is someone asking for input on a problem you might have an answer for?  Offer your opinion.  Be sincere.

What about in your niche, are you helping to further the interest of people?  Are you growing a community and urging others to adopt your interest?  Are you evangelizing for your own niche?  If you are doing this you are giving back to that niche by developing new groups who have an interest and knowledge in the product.  However, if you are reacting like many folks, you might just be taking users and trying to recycle them and use them for their credit cards or their network, or whatever you can get out of them.

Sustainability Demands Community

Sustainability is the buzzword for 2009.  We must learn to build sustainable systems.  If the last few decades have taught us anything it is that we are parasites. The Matrix and The Day the Earth Stood Still are two movies that have brought it to our attention that Humans act like parasites.  It is time for us to change.

In order to create a sustainable business in the 21st century it is essential that we learn to build models that put back what they take and serve at every opportunity.

Learn to give back now, or your business will not survive!

More on this topic

• Business Etiquette In the Internet Community
• The Whores of Social Networks
• Secrets to Success #2 – The Golden Rule
• When a Business Relationship Disappoints
• A Quick Twitter Tip

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