Numberwise Book Club: Start with Why
One of our team values – a goal, really – is ‘keep getting better.’ In an effort to do that, we’re diving into books on business, productivity, mindset, and more in a series we call the Numberwise Book Club. This first edition is brought to you by one of our amazing bookkeepers, Steve.
I chose Start with Why, by Simon Sinek. It examines what it takes to be a great leader, and how to bring passion to running your business. Sinek has one of the most-watched TED talks of all time. After watching him speak I wanted to learn more!
The gist of the book is that you shouldn’t focus on what your business is, or how you run it, but why you do it in the first place.
“People don’t buy what you do,
they buy why you do it.”
“Why does your company exist? Why do you get out of bed every morning?
And why should anyone care?”
Sinek also makes a great point that marketing can be inspirational or manipulative. Manipulative techniques to get business might be promotions, fear, peer pressure, novelty, low prices, or sales. If these techniques are used, you’re not building a long-term relationship with your customers, and you’re not creating any brand loyalty, either.
Inspirational marketing, like what you see from Apple, creates brand loyalty. Customers buy into their vision, regardless of the product.
“There are only two ways to influence human behavior:
you can manipulate it, or you can inspire it.”
While I’m not an entrepreneur, this book got me thinking like one. It inspired me to do better, personally living my life starting with why. It paints a clear picture of what separates a moderately successful ideology and a very successful mindset. Whether you run a large business, are starting a small business, or just want to improve your life, you’ll benefit from reading (or listening to) what Sinek has to say.
Summary: Find your why, be true to your why. Love your why!
You don’t have to take my word for it. Check out the author’s TED Talk. There’s a reason it’s been viewed over 50 million times on the TED website…seriously, watch it! Simon Sinek: How great leaders inspire action
Buy the book Start with Why by Simon Sinek
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for more Numberwise book club posts!
