Providing Value

Providing Value.  Ohmygosh!  What an overused, over-diluted and meaningless term floating about in the noise of the world today.  We have become numb to the art of providing value because meaning is equated with "would you like that super-sized sir?"  Super size it and pay more.  Where is the value in that?  Or, under size it to begin with and, then ask the question.  If the customer declines, the deal even goes more toward the opposite direction - it's under valued.

I have read so many definitions of providing value, I've become a bit numb myself.  I have sifted down the meaning to: Providing more than what is expected.  That's it.  No pukey corporate rhetoric.  No psychological mumbo jumbo.  Just give more than what is expected. 

You know, it's kind of interesting to think in terms of what is expected.  What we come to expect is a product of what we experience day in and day out.  Here is a personal example:

One of my jobs in the Rothacker household is to take out the garbage.  I usually decide to do this when I have other things pressing on my time - like getting to work.  So I'll take the plastic bag out of the container and fly out the door.  Guess who is left with the job of placing a new plastic bag in the container?  I'll give you a hint.  She growls at me when she is doing it.  Over the years I have conditioned Rosemary to come to expect my half done job of trash removal.  Lately I have taken the extra minute and put a new plastic bag in the container.  I am trying to give more (to the relationship) than what is expected.

Providing value usually means doing something for someone else.  I gravitate to Web site writers who offer advice, life lessons or information that I find useful.  I am not as prone to visit sites where the writer talks about themselves...unless there is a message behind their story.  Here are examples of writers who transcend what we come to expect at personal and business Web sites. 

Phil Gerbyshak's Make it Great! .  Phil spends time researching sites and gathering useful information, writes a short detail and provides his readers with the Web links.

Skip Reardon's Be Excellent .  Skip's site is the essence of progressive Web site marketing.  The information that Skip provides above, around and in between his company's product is prolific.  By partaking in this sumptuous feast of knowledge one is continuously exposed to the delectable dessert of his product day in and day out.

Lisa Haneberg's Management Craft . Lisa surrounds the art of management with golden pavers of management and leadership wisdom.  Strolling down this path one is continuously taken in by the panoramic view of management effectiveness. 

Can One Provide Too Much Value?

If I give away the farm, how can I sell my crops?  I only have to direct you to the Web site of one extremely successful businesswoman for this answer.  Talking Story .  Rosa Say weaves into her Web site the fiber of her coaching practice at Say Leadership Coaching .  Rosa might be criticized for giving too much free information out at her site.  Those who take advantage however,  come to realize the information is like a life line.  And that Rosa herself is the mechanical pulley that lifts them into the helicopter of success. 

Think about your life and business today.  What can you provide to someone that is more than what they expected?

 

 

Comments

[Phil Gerbyshak]

Dave - I am humbled by your inclusion as one who "transcends what we come to expect at personal and business Web sites" and am glad that my aim is on the mark for you and that it aligns with your readers. Here's to continued success for all of us that add value; may we continue to be noticed for the value we add to the pool of life.

[Rosa Say]

Thank you Dave, so very much, for affirming for me on this bountiful day what I have come to know to be true: The more one gives, in a way that truly adds real value to another’s life, the more the giver’s life itself becomes blessed.

It may seem that Talking Story is like a buffet table at times, but those within the Ho‘ohana Community know it has become more of a potluck picnic now! I might be providing the main course and the backyard, but everyone is helping me set the table and adding to the delectable goodies we end up dishing onto our plates! And the hostess? She’s ended up to be the most satisfied diner of all!

We all can add value wherever we go, and in whatever we do with your successfully simple definition of it; “Providing more than what is expected. That’s it.” Mahalo for the way you have equipped us with such a great tool in your post today.

[Kir]

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