Sheri Helvey

Every once in awhile…

something comes along that is a complete inspiration in one’s life.  The following video is one that struck a chord with me and inspired me to really step back and think about what being of service is really all about.

Take a moment to view the following video about Johnny, then join me on a journey of exploring . . .  ”Being of Service”.

“Every one of you can make a difference and create memories for your customers that will motivate them to come back.  How?  Put your personal signature on the job.  Think about something you can do for your cutomers to make them feel special; a memory that will make them come back.” ~ Barbara Glanz

Johnny’s act of taking the time to find or write his “thought for the day” and passing it on to the customers that he see’s in his everyday life without expecting anything in return, touched many people’s lives.  There is something to be learned from this lesson . . . Johnny ended up transforming the store.  He had a wonderful spirit of service that spread throughout the entire store and all because he chose to make a difference.

So let’s explore this idea of “being of service”. . .

“Being of Service” . . . What does this mean to you?

“Being of service will mean different things to different people, but hopefully we will all agree that being of service is an integral part of the journey towards finding fulfillment.  Selfless service should be offered and provided out of a genuine and deep desire to help and be of service to others.”  There are so many ways that you can touch someone’s life and be of service and sometimes we may not even think about it in those terms.  Sometimes we may even think that we have nothing to offer, no value, but think about this . . . today you may have…

• Assisted an elderly person across the street.
• Shared something with a friend or student that sparked her interest.
• Held your child through his tears to his smiles.
• Provided the support that helped someone through a tough time.
• Participated in providing a product or service that helped better people’s lives.
• Helped a team member break through a barrier.
• Opened a door for someone else.
• Offered a piece of advise that transformed someone’s life.

Don’t ever think that you don’t have anything to offer people like Johnny first thought.  Everyone has something of value to offer others whether it be in your personal life or your professional life.  Something as simple as sharing a smile can make someone’s day.

Are you expecting something in return?

Unfortunately there are many people today who will not consistently help others without anticipating something in return. We all know that people have busy lives . . .  committed to their own daily needs, families and friends and often helping each other whenever appropriate. This is of course as it should be between families and friends.  Being of service, however, should extend far beyond family and friends.  Being of service is to unconditionally provide assistance when apparent and appropriate, without expecting anything in return.

Relating “being of service” to your business . . .

“The internet has dramatically changed the way business is being done around the world, and many businesses and entrepreneurs are getting lost in the shuffle of change.  In today’s competitive world, finding a way to attract people to you is key and doing it in a way that is being of service by offering value will set you apart from the masses.”

How many times do you hear in this crazy online world of ours, “Offer Value to Others”.  To really stand out in the crowd of marketers, you must “put your personal signature on the job”, just like Johnny did for his customers.  His lane in the grocery store was long and noone wanted to switch lanes.  Why? Because they all wanted to hear what Johnny’s “thought” was for the day.  He brought a ton of value to these people with his simple “thought for the day” . . . it came from his heart without expecting a thing in return.

This, my friend, is what we ALL need to do to attract others to us and our businesses.  We are all unique and we all bring unique ideas and concepts to the table.  Imagine building a tribe of followers that have no desire to “switch lanes”.  They look forward to the value you give them . . . you are being of service to them without expecting anything in return.

Here are some ways to communicate the idea of giving value:

• Be a solutions-provider
• Be hungry to serve others’ needs
• Be a good listener

Of course, not everyone values the same thing.  In general, people are drawn to the person who helps them. Several things determine the attractive power of what you have to give.

• The attitude of the giver. The more genuine the offer to help, the more powerfully people are drawn to the giver.
• The relevance of the value. The more relevant to the receiver’s needs, the more powerfully people are drawn to the giver.
• The place and timing of the value offered. The value given at the right time and place will seem natural and confirm the receiver’s perception of the giver as positively attractive.

Following are some great ideas that I found for you to ponder as to how you want to be of service to others and the value you bring to the table:

• e-information/tips/suggestions: e-book, webinar, e-course, e-zine (e-newsletter), podcast, video, articles, blog posts
• other information/tips/suggestions: conference ticket, brochure, live seminar
• product savings: samples, trial offers, service, repair, extended warranty
• prospects/customers/work: leads, referrals, introductions, job opportunity, business opportunity
• business help: consultation, coaching, training, feedback, mentoring, live demonstration, advertising space, software, web site
• personal support: listening ear, encouragement, inspiration, sports or concert ticket, babysitting, ride/transport, lunch, refreshments, upgrade

Use your imagination.  Everyone has value to offer.  People are always seeking advice and help in our industry.  You might have read an incredible book and pulled some golden nuggets out of it that might help someone else take their business to the next level.  Or maybe you just got off of a webinar that changed your thinking that might help someone else do the same.

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there.  You might even be one day ahead of someone else in a training series.  Guess what?  You have value to offer and you can be of service to someone!  It doesn’t matter if you are brand new in this industry.

Every day, make it a point to learn something new, then blog about it, write an article, make a video, tweet about it . . . whatever you resonate with . . . just share it and and share it from your heart as Johnny did, and it will bring value into someone else’s life.

Be of service without expecting anything in return, enjoy the journey and see where your life takes you!

I love your comments . . . let me know what you have done today to be of service. 

Wishing you a lifetime of prosperity, abundance and freedom,

Sheri