Happiness as an ROI

As a solo entrepreneur or a small team, it can be a saving grace to get an unbiased point of view on your next move in your business. . Running a small or midsize business is challenging because of the sheer number of tasks it takes to succeed. From marketing to business analytics to strategic trend forecasting, it’s almost impossible for business owners to do it all themselves. 

A business consultant works with businesses to develop, implement and review strategies to optimize performance. You will be given tailor-made solutions to tackle specific business challenges, assess risks and opportunities and design long-term company focuses. Business consultants can also help modernize and streamline processes to make businesses more efficient, as well as provide access to networks of contacts to help businesses expand.

However, there is an invaluable ROI that individuals and businesses need to consider and monitor - Happiness. While most business consultants focus on the strategies to support business initiatives that may indirectly impact happiness, there is a more direct approach to monitoring this invaluable ROI.

Happiness is developed when the work culture and environment allows for each team member to have the tools to lead from self. 

Over my years working with two major Canadian companies lululemon & Canada Goose, I came to realize 3 key factors that lead to a sustained happiness, through the ebbs and flows of business. 

Consistency

Creating an environment that allows for consistency is easier said than done. As a business owner it is more straightforward to establish in a team of one. Yet creating that for others and allowing for them to create it for themselves is not an easy feat. It is pivotal for your team to understand what success looks like in their role, what it looks like when expectations aren’t being met and what they can expect from their other team members daily. 

Personal Responsibility

 When team members identify with and relate to the work they are doing for your business they will develop a greater sense of personal accountability. As a business owner this may feel out of your control, but there are a lot of things you can do. Include your team in the business planning process and encourage them to provide their thoughts or suggestions on how to improve processes and strategies. Also spend time focussing on their career development.  Have them define their career goals and help them create career development plans.  

This will give them space to communicate their needs and will create an environment where they are doing more than just working with you – they are now collaborating with you. 

Compassion

To display sympathy, understanding and respect for an individual is to provide compassion - to be heart-centered. One simple but impactful way to build a culture of compassion is by asking questions. Try opening all meetings, large or small, by asking these two questions:

 “Is there anything that is keeping you from being present in this moment?” 

After holding space for the person's response, ask:  

“What can you commit to in this moment?”

These two questions allow your team to feel empowered to share what is impacting their work in the moment,  and then allow space for them to navigate the situation.  It will also allow them to define what they can commit to given the situation.  What happens then - mutual understanding and respect.  Necessary elements to high functioning teams.

As a holistic business management consultant, considering the entire business, including all stakeholders is what makes me different. When we work together, we will focus on the whole picture to achieve a specific goal.