What is your philosophy?
November 1, 2011
“How does this work serve the world? To whatever extent it contributes healing of some form to society, to that extent the project is blessed.”–Marianne Williamson (and Kitchee Gammi Design Company business philosophy)
I was recently asked to submit a proposal for a project. The person on the other end of the phone was rattling off the various requirements for the proposal… when she asked for a description of my business philosophy. What a great question! I loved the fact that she was INTERESTED in how I DO my work. Not in if I have a fax machine or where my office was but what I believed in.
I used to have a philosophy called “I HAVE NO CHOICE.” As you can imagine, someone who subscribes to this mindset is generally resentful, unwilling to say NO, and rarely happy in their job. In fact I almost quit the design business at one point because as a result of not valuing myself and my work enough, I had attracted some business that can be described difficult at best.
I learned that in order to love my job again, I needed to value myself. That meant coming up with a job description for the one and only employee of Kitchee Gammi Design Co. (me.) I had to redefine my philosophy about how I wanted to continue in the design business. Today I’m happy to say that I’m developing the confidence to take the right projects, and turn down the things that don’t fit my new vision for myself. Any project that asks me for my business philosophy appears to be on track for one I’m interested in.
What’s your philosophy… on how you work and play? About what you’re willing to accept or dream for yourself? Is it time for you to write a new job description for yourself?
I love your philosophy Paula! Isn’t it interesting when we are asked those provoking questions? I believe that if we are truly living our best lives, we have NO PROBLEM answering them. I am relieved to be honest about how I work, and I hope that both you and I continue to attract the right customers as a result.
Thanks for this post. A large potential customer recently asked me to respond to 16 questions about my new business, my philosophy and myself (and my co-worker husband). We will be starting our business officially in January (growing organic vegetables just north of Duluth), but luckily the folks who sold us the property introduced to some great customers, one of whom posed the thought provoking questions that helped us discuss our common philosophy and goals for the business.
I am really thankful that the customer asked because I felt the need to respond honestly and thoroughly, and not in the sometimes superficial marketing manner (”yeah, our customers are kings, yadda yadda”), but really digging into what we want to provide and why and how we want to provide it. I think that’s the only real way to combine business and personal goals and live what I’m starting to call a “whole” life.
For the record, our business philosophy is “growing together”. My husband and I will grow our vegetables and business together, we will work together with our customers to provide what they want and need and hopefully we will grow together with the community. Looking forward to moving soon!