Purpose Doesn’t Make Business Easier

Quick Insight

Purpose creates clarity but also introduces polarities that need to be managed. The tensions created by purpose are matched by the motivation provided by purpose. The complexity created by balancing purpose and profit is offset by the clarity provided by purpose.

“My purpose statement often inspires me to take action and risks I might otherwise avoid. By reminding me why I am doing what I am doing, it encourages me and recalls my larger connections… We must dare to play a bigger game. With higher purpose, the home runs become more challenging and the play more demanding. The bottom line expands, and success takes on new meaning.” – Robert J. Wright in Beyond Time Management: Business with Purpose

Don’t think purpose makes business easier. I’ve been the CFO of banks and non-profits. It’s much harder to measure performance when profit isn’t the only measure of success.

Purpose creates clarity but also introduces polarities that need to be managed. Profit is balanced with other values. The needs of owners are balanced with the benefits to other stakeholders (i.e. customers, employees, and the community).

The tensions created by purpose are matched by the motivation provided by purpose. The complexity created by balancing purpose and profit is offset by the clarity provided by purpose.

I wish you wisdom to manage the polarities in your business. I wish you well.

- Rob Stephens

Further Insight

CFO Perspective Resources

  • Video: How Do You Create Value? - You get what you value when you provide value to others. Business success comes from creating value for owners, customers, and employees. I’ll explain how to discover and increase what each group values. I’ll also reveal the “Three D’s” and “Three P’s” that each group wants.
  • Course: ACE - Strategic Planning for Small Businesses - Small business strategic planning should quickly lead you from defining where you are going to deciding how to get there. Getting there takes a well-built strategy and implementation plan. Get planning and management tools with the basics of how to use them.
  • Course: Creating Value - Business Success from Shared Value - You get what you value when you provide value to others. Business success comes from creating value for owners, customers, and employees. In this program, you'll identify exactly what each of these three groups value and how to increase that value - and your success.

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