Self-Love for Businesses

Photo by Mimi Thian on Unsplash

Self-Love For Businesses

By Earl Shindruk

Can a business truly love itself? Can this be possible in any way? Or does it sound too preposterous to be true or even to think about a company loving itself? Many of us think of businesses as objects and not human at all

However, I do think it is good to take a look at corporations and to see how they can love themselves and others too. Even though this is not the type of love humans have for others, it is worth seeing how this can happen.

Many companies need to learn more about loving themselves and how to practice self-love for the corporation.

We often attribute human characteristics to a business and let everyone know how we feel about certain businesses.

What sort of images come to mind when you and others think about your company? Are those words negative or positive? Negative thinking and negative words can create a very bad impression and hinder people from loving your organization. If left to fester and grow, the entire corporation will become toxic and die.

Or do you think your company is selfish and uncaring? Are sales and profits put ahead of everything and everyone else? Does the company just love itself? That is very unbalanced as well.

Positive words like “very helpful service” or “everyone is happy and smiling whenever we go there.”

Those types of phrases make us have positive feelings about those companies. Sometimes we even have “Wow Experiences” that make us keep going back to a business and becoming very loyal customers.

With some restaurants or coffee shops, some individuals say they “Love the food there” or they “Love the staff” and cannot wait to return.

What makes us feel so strongly about these companies? Often, powerful emotions are attached to our view of businesses.

In terms of self-love for individuals, we often hear about how we need to love ourselves, have a good image of ourselves, and take care of ourselves.

Can these 3 things be applied to business? They certainly can.

How can a business love itself?

Various parts of any business can love the company and others related to the organization.

FIRST, the employees, who have to love the business. In order for the business to be highly successful, all employees need to consider what the company does and offers to be of great value. They must be passionate about the vision of the company. It cannot just be the owner or main leaders who have a vision. That vision and purpose must be shared by all those who work there.

SECOND, the customers of any enterprise are those who keep it in business. They purchase the products or services that the business offers. The products have to be top notch, and not just the same as all the competitors. Customer service has to be delivered in ways that make customers want to come back and be repeat customers.

THIRD, you want those who are huge fans of your business and refer others to it.

Do you just work there so you can gather a pay cheque?

Do you treat your employer as you would a good friend, or do you simply think of yourself as someone who is just an employee? Are you just there to put in time?

Do you want to work for a company where everyone loves it? Owners, workers and customers alike love working there and love doing business there. What does it really take to help people love it?

How do we accomplish that?

Love means “to be deeply connected and committed to something or someone."

We need to build the business up and not tear it down. We need to truly love and care for others in the business, including the owners, managers and others who work there.

We need to be involved and engaged with the business. We cannot just be passive participants and go along for the ride. We cannot be spectators sitting on the sidelines. We need to join the game.

We need to be motivated to go to work and help others be motivated as well.

We need to treat others well in our companies. We need to nurture them and care for them as if they were members of our families.

We must have hope and be positive about the future.

Help your company practice self love and self care. Make it the best company ever! One you are proud to say that is where you work. And one where you want to talk to others about it and what a fantastic place it is and what a loving and caring team you work with.

Earl is a key contributor to his community, donating lots of time and expertise to charities and not for profits. He is past board chair of the NPO Collective, and board member of The100YEG and the Edmonton Business Association. His legacy includes sharing knowledge and expertise. For over 11 years he was an instructor and guest speaker at MacEwan University, and a guest speaker at the University of Alberta.

Successful businessman and community leader, Earl Shindruk, launched Optimax Benefits in 1998 after a vast career at TransAlta, Laidlaw Waste Systems & with a local contractor. He has grown Optimax by harnessing people skills, ‘being accessible’, ‘getting to know your client’, and ‘being innovative’.

You will find links to connect with Earl in the main magazine.