Business Is All About The Benjamins

Howdy! Welcome to today’s motivational moment in business. Guess what, It is all about the Benjamins.

Yep. That’s what I said. It is all about the money.

Hard to believe – we’ve been programmed time and time again to say, “Oh, it’s not about the money, I just want to serve others.”

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But let’s get real just for a moment. You are in a “Business”. My favorite definition of a businesshas always been a ‘healthy and profitable venture that can work without you.” I fully believe that if that isn’t your goal – then all you have is a job.

If you’re ok with it, I’m ok with it. Let’s just not camouflage it as anything else.

Dictionary.com even agrees.

Business –

1. The purpose and sale of goods in an attempt to make a profit.
2. A person, partnership, or corporation engaged in commerce,manufacturing, or a service;profit-seeking enterprise or concern.

There is that profit word again. Just in case you are wondering, to be profitable that means that there is money left over after you’ve paid your expenses AND yourself.

And cash coming in the door doesn’t mean that there’s profit left in the bank. Sorry, that’s just a #businesstruth.

A little tough love this morning. Why?

Because, if you are going to truly serve people; if you are truly going to improve the world and leave it better than how you found it…you have to have a healthy profitable business to do so.

If you truly want to serve people and it’s not about the money – then go volunteer – you’ll save yourself a lot of frustration about not having enough to be successful in business.

The biggest mind-opening thought I have ever come to understand is this.

Ask any nonprofit. They will tell you. They love to have you volunteer – but what really empowers them is your monetary gifts. They can have a greater impact when there is the money to fund the infrastructure.

Consider Maslow’s Heirachy of needs. In order to satisfy the needs of others, you must first satisfy your needs first. It’s basic human nature.

It’s ok to be focused on the money. I’m not talking about going all scrooge on me. It’s is that today I wanted to give you permission to say that it is all about the Benjamins. That I do my best work, and serve my clients to the best of my ability by having a healthy and profitable business. And when I have benjamin’s left over, I can truly begin to serve others and improve the world.