I love this question because every business you see has a purpose that drives it forward. If that “WHY” isn’t asked regularly, the why may get lost in the hustle. Ask yourself:
“Do you have a Purpose-Driven Brand?”
If the answer doesn’t come right away, that’s okay. But keep in mind that when you can answer it immediately, you have a direct purpose in how you show up for your community. If you can’t answer that fundamental question, it may be best to take a beat and dig deeper.
You ought to audit your own business, so you don’t mission creep or grind without that purposeful “why” at the core of your offering. When we begin taking on aspects of our business that don’t align with our purpose we lose sight of that “why.” Maybe your why will shift and mature, and that’s also okay.
Here are some branching off purpose-driven questions to consider thinking about:
- Who do you serve?
- Why do you serve them?
- What drives you to serve them?
- What motivates you to continue serving them and others like them?
- Are you asking your audience what they want and need so you can improve your work?
- Do you feel fulfilled in helping your audience achieve in their business?
- If not, why? And how can you shift that attitude?
- Are you excited about the work you do and the serve you provide others?
- Are you continually learning about your industry? Are you keeping that door open? Or have you closed that door to continual personal/professional growth?
Transcend Ideas – People Centered
Our brand, Transcend Ideas, in my mind, is purpose-driven because we serve small businesses and non-profits to amplify their meaningful message through branding and marketing strategy. What amplifying means to me is to tell their story. People’s stories are interesting. I began this company because I care about people and the communities they serve. I will continue to ask myself that significant “WHY” so I don’t lose sight as we learn and grow as a company.
The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.
Albert Schweitzer
Patagonia – Planet Earth Centered
Patagonia is a company that I had respected for a long time, even before their CEO, Yvon Chouinard recently announced a shift with Patagonia and their efforts to combat the climate crisis in a huge way. More explanation here. Patagonia has stood for sustainability since the company’s inception 50 years ago. They hooked me in when I realized they’d repair your gear if you mail them in, and if they can’t improve them, they will replace it with brand-new Patagonia gear all together.
Earth is now our only shareholder.
If we have any hope of a thriving planet—much less a business—it is going to take all of us doing what we can with the resources we have. This is what we can do.
-Yvon Chouinard
Clubhouse Conversation:
Come join the conversation on Clubhouse, if you don’t have the App downloaded you can still listen to the conversation in your browser. You can listen back to this conversation if you missed it all together. I love to engage in conversation with people all over the country and the world as that’s when the richest conversations happen.
“Do you have a Purpose-Driven Brand?”
Monday, November 14th
at 11 am MST / 9 am EST
