Seth Godin’s latest post is a great one.
The title is Generous Gifts vs. Free Samples
It gives a lot of food for thought…
A lot of learning that occurs in business and life occurs when you turn up the contrast and look at the differences in things.
Seth makes the point that giving away free samples is a great business marketing strategy and you often see a lot of sales occur from this strategy.
It is a give and take approach to life.
Yet Seth makes the argument well that giving a gift is something totally different.
A gift is something you give without receiving anything in return. And he argues that if you think this way about things it will change your whole approach to business and life.
…and it will change you.
Giving a gift is something that is very special, and it is to be much appreciated. If it is in your power to do so then maybe you should think about doing it.
Even if you don’t receive something in return (i.e. a sale or returning customer), receiving good will is not to be underestimated.
I’ll leave you will a quote I am very fond of….
“What Constitutes Success” by Bessie Stanley
“He has achieved success who has lived well, laughed often and loved much; who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of little children; who has filled his niche and accomplished his task; who has left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty or failed to express it; who has always looked for the best in others and given them the best he had; whose life was an inspiration; whose memory a benediction.”