Features and benefits…In People/Team Management – What’s in it for me?

 Features and benefits – These terms are easy to relate, for people from sales background. In basic sales training these terms are taught extensively, with many examples. It is critical that they understand these terms well. Their success in sales is directly dependent on a clear insight into these terms.

They are taught to differentiate between the features of the product and the benefits it has to offer. While executing a sale, they are coached to explain the features of the product and sell the benefits of it. Although the product may be feature rich, it sells mainly because the buyer finds it beneficial.

In this post we will discuss as to how most people tend to get confused with the process of managing relationships Vis a Vis buying a product.

While buying a product it is only natural to think, what is in it for me? Buying a commodity is an investment in money. Hence it is only prudent that we decide on it after weighing the need, cost and how beneficial the product is to us.

Unfortunately, what’s in it for me? This mindset has cascaded in the way we are managing our relationships too. We are too occupied in looking at the relationship in one way.  

We tend to ignore or forget that if we treat relationships as a commodity. Then relationships tend to behave as a commodity.

In a failing relationship, many things may go wrong, few of them are as follows:

•         It may malfunction as a product does,

•         It may stop providing the desired outcome it was originally intended for.

•         One or both parties may just lose interest, as we do with a product after a certain period.

•         One or both parties may start comparing and liking a newer product rather than the present one.

The worst part is of all this will happen without warning, should the initial signs be ignored.

The good news is that these things can be avoided, if we act on time. Relationships should be nurtured with love and care. They are unique in nature and need special attention. Unlike products that come with a ‘Use by date’, flourishing relationships last long most of the time ‘Lifelong’.

Our mindset and choices make the difference in managing relationships that we make; whether we choose to make it a fragile one or a long lasting one. Relationships are more than an investment. They are an integral part of our life.

A product may go out of fashion, become outdated and not relevant anymore. A good relationship will only strengthen over time. Good memories from the past and a hope of a great future sustain and strengthen any relationship.

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate your time reading this post. I hope you enjoy reading the posts and find them helpful. I request you to share the learning as much as possible so that many more benefit from it. I would be glad to know your input both For or Against. Please feel free to post, share or like if you find it useful.

Happy Learning! and Happy Sharing!

A few good men... In People/Team Management – being one among them.

 The world today is getting divided forever in the name of religion, power and geographical boundaries etc. The sad part of it is these changes are irreversible and result in major catastrophes. These changes are happening at such a rapid phase that it is challenging the very future of the world itself. People for whom hate is a way of life are getting innovative at means of spreading it. It is really unfortunate that it is working well for them. People for their vested interests are actively promoting hatred and fueling wars.

Today, I want to share with you a real-life incident, a small experience, which I came across. The other day there was an electrical equipment delivery person with his helper trying to unload a refrigerator, which he had to deliver from his pickup truck. The refrigerator was a huge one and hence it was difficult to unload it just by themselves. This person asked a passerby in the local language (Hindi) “Bhai thoda madath karoge” the passerby replied “bilkul is duniya me aaye hi hum madath karneko”

{For the benefit of my readers from various parts of the world, I will translate it to English}

The delivery guy asked the passerby “Brother can you help us with unloading”

The passerby replied “Of course, the purpose of me coming into this world is to help others”

Now these two people are absolute strangers and met for the first time in their life. We too normally help people in our day-to-day life. However, I was thoroughly impressed by the mindset and his eagerness to help others. His proactive approach to helping people was commendable and reflected his way of thinking.

The words from the passerby really left a strong impression in my mind and influenced me a lot. I was intrigued by the thought that if everyone followed this approach towards, the world today would be such a great place than it is now.

It was only natural that I looked upon him as my role model and tried to mirror his mindset ever since then. I started actively looking for opportunities to help people since then. Now, for me it no longer matters how it changes the world, it certainly has changed mine for good.

The world is in dire need of Good Samaritans like these. I am sure most of you, if not all, are already helping others whenever and wherever possible. Doing it with this mindset, eagerness and proactively looking for opportunities will only better the world for you and the people who you touch.

Like they say,

“Write something that is worth reading about or do something that is worth writing about”

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate your time reading this post. I hope you enjoy reading the posts and find them helpful. I request you to share the learning as much as possible so that many more benefit from it. I would be glad to know your input both For or Against. Please feel free to post, share or like if you find it useful.

Happy Learning! and Happy Sharing!

What you give is yours forever... In People/Team Management – getting richer by the day.

 

Wealth means different things to different people. For some, it may be a hefty bank balance, for others it may be property etc. etc. It is only natural for us to have a goal in life, work hard towards and fulfill our dreams. It is the way we secure our life and the lives of our loved ones. It is a different thing that some people even commit crimes or are involved in illegal means to amass wealth.

The thought process of securing a comfortable life for self and for loved ones is only natural and absolutely fine. It is how we plan to better our life and lifestyle. However, the point here is that considering money as the only form of wealth is an incorrect narrative. People who can relate to this may have seen many problems that just can’t be resolved with money.

Realizing that there are different forms of wealth, which we all have the means and ability to possess, is important and necessary. These forms of wealth don’t come with a price tag and are invaluable. We all possess it in some form or the other. A conscious effort to get rich further in these forms of wealth will only better our life and our surroundings. Some ways to recognize these forms of wealth are as follows:

•         Spending quality time with family and friends is wealth.

•         Happiness is wealth, spreading happiness is spreading wealth.

•         Giving up hate and forgiving is wealth.

•         Doing small things that matter for others is wealth.

•         Health is wealth.

We may have made some wrong choices in the past. However, it doesn’t mean that we cannot attempt to better our present and have a fulfilling life for the future. Considering the above and realizing them as a form of wealth too; as important as money, in itself is an achievement.

Our ability to ‘Give’ is a way that ensures we can lead a fulfilling life. We can give only what we have. Giving small things or small experiences to people that matter a lot to them. Sometimes it is just your time that people need. What you give will always remain with you forever, as a memory of a rich experience the other person had because of you.

It is very unfortunate that people most of the time fail to understand this simple thing.

Thanks a lot! I really appreciate your time reading this post. I hope you enjoy reading the posts and find them helpful. I request you to share the learning as much as possible so that many more benefit from it. I would be glad to know your input both For or Against. Please feel free to post, share or like if you find it useful.

Happy Learning! and Happy Sharing!