“As trainers and coaches we do bear some responsibility to help build a better future, one less dominated by greed. The world is driven by financial greed and economic dogma – one controls the earth’s resources and the others are its apologists.” ~ Dr. Henry Mintzberg

The necessary shifts in our business mindset are clear, yet complicated.  How do we grow our business, make a significant profit for our shareholders while engaging, developing, and inspiring our team to do great things?  There is a predisposed conflict inherent in businesses between the investment in it and the siphoning profits out of it; thus, ensuring and maximizing shareholder value while building a sustainable and thriving enterprise.

The power of Dr. Mintzberg’s words resonates: greed does not drive great business, it thwarts it.  As an advisor and strategist to business executives, my obligation is to help them develop a sustainable business that maximizes value for all those engaged in the business.  These participants include shareholders, employees, suppliers, and customers.  The community of any business is greater and more powerful in its totality, than simply catering to the whims and desires of its shareholders.  Businesses have an obligation to the community of all its participants to leverage their collective needs, desires, talents, skills, energy, and contribution to build a larger, more cohesive and stable business model.

As businesses begin to rebuild, recover, and grow in the rebirth of the economy, the key to the pace and effectiveness of that recovery depends on the businesses ability to invest in itself and build a collaborative, innovative community.  In this formula, greed or the recovery of lost assets or equity will only interrupt the recovery process.  Strategically focusing on the power of the community in the business creates a machine that sustains itself and feeds the needs of all its members appropriately.

If you are interested in obtaining a copy of the white paper on this subject, “The Sustainable Business Model™”, please contact me: dave@salescooke.com.

Note: The featured quote was taken from an article featuring Dr. Minztberg.  If you have ever had the opportunity to read his books or articles featuring his thoughts, absorb them.  Dr. Mintzberg has the corporate dilemma covered.  He is rapidly becoming my inspiration and my guide for all things business.