When we speak of the ‘Ohana in Business, we are talking about a chosen form for your business model. I believe that most existing business models have to change in a reinvention that is long overdue.
The business model I propose for the ‘Ohana in Business is not new, but it is somewhat revolutionary because not enough people are yet doing it. The biggest reason is this: It is hard to let go of control once you have it.
All businesses are NOT beautiful just the way they are.
However, they could be.
When I have taught others about the ‘Ohana in Business before, I have started with ‘Ohana as a value first. This time I want to experiment with something here on MWA Coaching, and talk to you about the business model of the ‘Ohana in Business first, and then blend in the deeper stuff of values afterwards. Are you game?
The question of my title appeared in the manifesto on Managing with Aloha I had written for ChangeThis.com when my book was first released, and as an introduction to our business model discussion, I’d like to present a few parts of it here for us to refer to, for my feelings now remain very much as they did back then when I wrote these words early in 2005.
The following excerpt is taken from the manifesto, and I hope you will take a moment to think about it. If it brings up some unexpected feelings for you, great!
From Managing with Aloha; Yes! You can too!
Let me ask you this: how good do you feel about working in business today?
Personally, I love the world of business — to be precise, my current world of business.
I have a passion for management, and shaping it into an art form as my daily work-in-progress.
I relish the day-to-day working on myself to be a better manager, walking the talk of good management practice.
I love the science of business and the democracy of free enterprise, where ultimately the customer rules.
I love working within business introspectively, but with an ever-constant eye on the fickle, challenging, very human marketplace.
I love studying and benchmarking successfully thriving and self-sustaining companies.
I love the new global possibilities of networking, and I also love seeing how small business networks of entrepreneurs today are reinventing their neighborhood networks closer to home.
I love the possibilities business provides us with, to choose our own destiny and create it in the name of innovation for many and not just ourselves.
I love working through a good business plan, where worthwhile work is done for profit, not paycheck.
I love being involved in the human drama of business, where we study and talk about things like creativity, courage, excellence, empowerment and transformation.
Or do we? Do you?
At every level of the business you are in right now, how much do people talk about things like personal excellence, meaning, dignity, trust, worth, respect, ethics, integrity, honesty, and (gulp) humanity? How much are these concepts talked about with a thankfulness for actually having them at work, and for living with them?
In a business managed with Aloha we do.
We are in a day and time where people are crying for a reinvention of their workplace, and for a reinvention of work itself.
Oh. You say you’re not there yet.
How are your prospects looking? Are you involved in the reinvention, or j-u-s-t w-a-i-t-i-n-g?
The wait can be over.
When brought into a business, Aloha centers the company culture on the shared value system of the people involved. The concept of being a values-centered business starts to mean something. Its benefits go right to the bottom line. It unleashes the desire to perform. It creates powerful customer loyalty. Aloha celebrates people, their inner drive, and their spirit for working with personal excellence.
The ‘Ohana in Business gives this potential of aloha concrete form.
Previous thoughts: Every employee a Business Partner? Yep.
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