“The purpose of business is threefold: the fulfillment of society’s living needs and the creation of an environment in which happiness and self-development may floursh and art and beauty are encouraged. All else is an invasion of the ego into business endeavours.”

Michael Bernard Beckwith

It will come as little surprise to most people to know that we are a long way from fulfilling this idealised version of business. I suspect in NZ we waiver between levels one and two but most probably spend the majority of time in level one – fulfilling our basic living needs.

Some may say that we have come some way since the days when our lives were were soley focussed on competing for the basics of life and when those with the greatest power survived to fight another day. Have things really changed that much you may ask?

Economic recessions can and do remind us that every day is a matter of survival. We need to retain our jobs to be able to afford to live in our houses and buy the necessities of life particularly when we have over stretched ourselves financially during  more bouyant economic times.

It is during difficult economic times that we can loose our faith in plenitude and instead focus on scarcity. I believe that businesses that focus on scarcity do no favours to themselves, their clients or the wider community. As in our personal lives and relationships it is through challenging times that businesses evolve to the next level. Business owners are forced to think and act differently and it is through breaking habits that the ground work is laid for the necessary changes in the way we do business. Old business models no longer work.

Those who are prepared to embrace change, build relationships and co-operative networks and contribute to the greater good through service will survive and thrive. History teaches us that a species which is quick to adapt to changing circumstances tends to thrive and evolve. The adaptation I am talking about now in relation to the human species is to do with inner transformation rather than superficial external change.

An over focus on monetary rewards keeps businesses locked into the first level – survival. This business model will not tolerate and survive the dramatic economic and societal changes that we can expect over the next few years.

As a business owner are you ready to adapt? Are you prepared to shift your focus to serving and connecting with others at a deeper and more meaningful level? If not then expect a rough ride!