Applying The Greatest Good In Your Business

The greatest good that one can do in business is to love your neighbor as yourself. This came to life in a small central Texas town of Coleman this last weekend when the senior citizen's housing burnt down displacing 50 senior citizens. Even during the fire, not only did the emergency personnel respond, but so did many volunteers. These volunteers showed up with warm coats. Many showed up with offers for rides.

Then the business community started reacting. First, the bed-and-breakfast opened every available room in their facility for the seniors free of charge. Then the three hotels followed suit. Soon everyone had a warm place to stay. Thankfully, although four people were hospitalized for smoke inhalation, no one was seriously injured.

As Sunday morning dawned, these seniors realized that their food had burned up in the fire. The local restaurant opened its doors even earlier than usual and word soon spread that all seniors were welcome to come for a hot meal. The grocery store soon opened but many seniors had made it out without their money, their debit cards nor their credit cards. That was OK with the owner because he simply let these seniors sign their name. Many churches in Coleman were short on people Sunday, because they were at the facility seeing what could be salvaged. Luckily for these seniors the ladies at one of the churches realized these seniors would be hungry by lunchtime as they prepared a wonderful Mexican dinner.

The nursing home furnished transportation for all that wanted to attend. The local nonprofit thrift store opened up their doors so that the seniors could get clothes and other necessities for free. Soon people of the community started showing up with tons of supplies that would be needed by the seniors.

It was not until Monday, two days after the fire that any outside group responded to the crisis. While their help was certainly appreciated as the seniors made longer term plans, it was the short term response of neighbors loving neighbors as themselves that will long be remembered.

Luckily, it's not everyday that a disaster like this strikes, but it is still a lesson that small business owners need to remember. When business owners remember that the customer is their neighbor they respond in a new and exciting way. They go out of their way to help. They treat that person like they want to be treated. The level of customer service becomes very important. The long hours spent looking for just the right product becomes worthwhile. Suddenly, the bottom line is not quite so important. However, when a business acts this way, the business normally booms.

How does a small business get to that point? By remembering that they serve a higher power that should drive their business to a new level. Suddenly, small business owners will no longer be serving a cranky customer. Instead, they will be serving their neighbor. Suddenly, the level of product and service given to that person really does matter.