Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs fail to consider what it is that they're contributing to the economy, and for that reason don’t always end up being productive. The simple and inspiring truth is that there is no contradiction between making money and making a difference. In fact, you can do well from doing good. But to do so, you must consider the following simple but often overlooked ideas of what a truly "productive" business is:
- It is not just about you.
Starting your business is a personal choice, and maybe tied to a choice of the kind of life you want to live, but the impact and success of the business are not all "personal." It is about the value you create. And the value of what you offer is determined by those you offer it to.
- It is not just about what people say they want.
Your job as an entrepreneur is to determine what those unsatisfied wants are and help people satisfy them. That, in a nutshell, is the definition of "value." You can do this either by offering something new or offering something old in a new way.
- It is not just about your competition.
To successful entrepreneurs, the positioning of relative competitors should be a secondary concern. What should come first is providing a specific customer segment, whether or not it is already served by others, with the utmost value -- on those customers' terms.
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