Russell Bell: Passion pays dividends

Sir Richard Branson's passion has driven him to success.

Like most fathers, I hang on almost every word uttered by my children.

Last week my son approached me with utmost seriousness and said: "Dad, I want to tell you something..."

Listening attentively, I asked: "What is it?". He responded: "Dad, do you know what I am passionate about?"

I readied myself for the 10-year-old's wise words with the question - although I was half worried that I should already know the answer.

He took a deep breath and delivered his verdict: "My YouTube channel - and video games."

"That's just tremendous," I said.

My son is truly passionate about "You-Tubing" - so much so that he cut short a sleepover at his nana's to return home on Saturday to record, edit and post a video (that he had previously promised to his subscribers).

Passion is that intangible quality which takes us to high levels of interest. Passion, when transferred into business, can turn an ordinary going concern into an irresistible force.

I've often heard it said that you should do what you love and, whether it's a job or a business you are running, you should regularly evaluate your level of passion for the things that you do.

If you read about people like Richard Branson and Steve Jobs, their passion is clearly the unique driver that set them and their businesses apart from others.

Look around and you will see businesses with passionate people and others with people who are just "turning the wheel". Which ones do you think are more likely to have meaningful relationships and loyal customers? Which ones are more likely to be profitable?

That's why it's all the more important that you have the right people working in your business. Technical skills are important, but it's the intangibles (the EQ or emotional intelligence) which is key.

The vendor who is passionate about their business and product(s) or service(s) is more likely to be attuned to customer needs and more likely to exceed expectations. Those clearly not interested will lose the sale.

I have encountered people in retail who may have been having a bad day - though I suspect when you experience that on two separate visits there is an issue. In business, to create true value, your focus must be on the customer.

When you are passionate about what you do and you want to share it, you will create interest in others who will want to understand your passion. That's why passion translates so well into the customer service experience.

I frequent many local businesses which display high levels of passion and their service and quality exceeds my expectations. They always deliver at a higher level than their competitors - even where their competitors may offer similar products. And they will regularly get my business.

To close on passion, thank you to the passionate people who organise and speak at the PicChat 19/19 events. On Friday, March 31, I joined nine others speaking about our passions. It was great to see that passion is alive and well in Whanganui.

*Balance Consulting is a Whanganui consultancy specialising in business strategy, process excellence and leadership mentoring - contact Russell Bell on 021 2442421 or John Taylor on 027 4995872.