"Good Business" — Why "Good"?

“Good” is a perfect word to indicate the layers of meaning that exist with the idea of a “Good Business.”

A Good Business does good for:

  • the people who work there
  • the community where its located
  • the physical environment
  • the culture it’s a part of
Doing well by doing good, serving your community, providing the best products and services—what people really want and need.

A Good Business includes the classical meaning of the phrase “good works” which refers to a social benefit.

A Good Business is a source of such good works as:

  • Philanthropy
  • Community sponsorships
  • Buying and hiring local
    • Keeping economic transactions local so the business-generated wealth recycles within the community
  • Taking care of employees
    • in a better way than businesses who claim “it’s not personal, it’s just business”
      • (Because everything is personal!)

A Good Business is a business you create to help fulfill your personal purpose. 

Purpose, Values, and Awareness

To fulfill your true purpose you consciously:

Clarify your personal values . . .

  • To help you make your business true to who you are!

This renewed awareness of what you value most will also help you become more aware of:

  • The impact of your business on your family, your community, the environment and society in general.

Understanding your impacts will help you:

  • Identify additional ways to serve through your business.

A “good business” authentically reflects your concerns for your employees and clientele, your community, and the natural environment as well as your hopes for a just and safe society.

Claude Whitmyer

To fulfill your true purpose you consciously:

Clarify your personal values . . .

  • To help you make your business true to who you are!

This renewed awareness of what you value most will also help you become more aware of:

  • The impact of your business on your family, your community, the environment and society in general.

Understanding your impacts will help you:

  • Identify additional ways to serve through your business.

Clarifying your values, becoming more self-aware, and pursuing your personal purpose all require that you also:

  • Question your assumptions about management style. Then make sure . . .

  • Your management style is true to your purpose and

  • Aligned with your values (newly clarified).

“Doing well by doing good” will naturally arise as you . . .

  • Become more self-aware

  • Master business as service

That's a Good Business!

When your business does good by your kin, you’ll hear people say:

— “That’s a good business for his family.

When your business does good by your employees, you’ll hear them say:

— “This is a good business to work for.

When your business does good by its community, you’ll hear people say:

— “That’s a good business to work with.

When your business succeeds economically you’ll hear people say:

— “That’s a good business to make money.

When your business does all of these, you’ll hear people say:

— “That’s a good business to be in.

The clink of beverage glasses celebrating friendship and mutual caring.

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Start or Grow Your Own Right Livelihood Business

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who work for themselves (or want to).