Creating impact with choices

I have been fortunate to spend time with a number of small businesses throughout New Zealand. One of these is based in a small town in the Far North of the country. They are like so many businesses in New Zealand in that they took their trade and went from being an employee to an employer. There was no training on being a business owner, no experience and no one to call on for advice. This story is so common and unfortunately for 4 out 5 businesses the ending is the same, doors shut within four years. This business has proudly defied the odds through hard mahi and passion for what they do.

In our first session we started with their “WHY”. They already had a detailed mission and vision. It sounded great with lines like “best quality products” and “highest level of service” and so on. It could have come straight from a business text book.

When questioned further on why they were in business their answers revealed a story that was engaging and personal. One that had emotion and purpose. They wanted to stop the monopoly of a large national corporate, they wanted to provide opportunities for their whānau, they wanted to train young people with skills that could secure their future, they were helping the finances of struggling families and providing products that suited their unique community.

The challenge was how can their ‘WHY” can be summarised in a few short words so they can live it every day. The answer was Choice, they were in business to provide choices.

• Choices for their community on where to shop.

• Choices for young people to stay in the region and do an apprenticeship.

• Choices for their whānau to have a financially secure future.

• Choices of products that suit their specific customers tastes and budget.

Choice is one of the most basic needs we have as humans. Choices empowers people and provides dignity. Giving people choices is one of the most meaningful purposes one can do. Providing choices certainly means more to me than the common claim of best product, best price & best service. Pretty choice aye !