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I made a conscious choice to go it the way I felt ethical and just to my family
I moved over here from Germany with my family and joined a long time friend in business. We were three of us. The long time friend with whom I was actually more acquainted through emails than personal contact was accepted by the other two of us as the MD of the business we were in.
I loved the "ethos" of this guy so much that I considered him literally as a mentor. Outwardly he manifested such charm and seemed well read which I always admire. In fact you can easily dazzle me if you prove to be well read and knowledgeable.
Anyhow, a year into our business, when it came to walking the sweet talks of integrity, my friend failed miserably and tried to co-opt me into cheating the third partner - a 75 year old man who had poured all his savings and that of his wife into the business. I refused. And we fell apart. The business suffered. All three people involved suffered. As the youngest of the three and perhaps inexperienced due to my age, my own family suffered too. Litigations ensued and cost were high and painful for all sides. It reached a point where I looked at the issues dispassionately and decided to break from the mould of conflict. I forgave the old friend in my mind and moved forward. I flew back to Germany and met the manufacturer. He had been duped a container load by the old friend. The manufacturer was happy for me to trade under their own brand in the UK. They offered me all the necessary support I needed.
I decided to then move on and do my own business. I had the benefit of being self-employed for most of my life. So I went away vowing to never compromise my basic values for cheap gains.
That's how I came to do what I do. And I feel really happy when I go to sell my heaters to a family and come out feeling like a friend to them. I never apply pressure sales (in fact I don't know how to survive with that attitude!).
Luckily for me, all the people that have joined me across the country are people of deep integrity, conviction with manifest belief in and fear of God. People of such calibre know they'll be accountable to a higher power somewhere if they do what is not right. And we're bunch of successful salespeace (not salesforce) now. Obviously I can't tell you our turnover but it certainly is keeping 14 people and their families well fed, sheltered and clothed.
So the word "ethical" is just oxygen to me.
I loved the "ethos" of this guy so much that I considered him literally as a mentor. Outwardly he manifested such charm and seemed well read which I always admire. In fact you can easily dazzle me if you prove to be well read and knowledgeable.
Anyhow, a year into our business, when it came to walking the sweet talks of integrity, my friend failed miserably and tried to co-opt me into cheating the third partner - a 75 year old man who had poured all his savings and that of his wife into the business. I refused. And we fell apart. The business suffered. All three people involved suffered. As the youngest of the three and perhaps inexperienced due to my age, my own family suffered too. Litigations ensued and cost were high and painful for all sides. It reached a point where I looked at the issues dispassionately and decided to break from the mould of conflict. I forgave the old friend in my mind and moved forward. I flew back to Germany and met the manufacturer. He had been duped a container load by the old friend. The manufacturer was happy for me to trade under their own brand in the UK. They offered me all the necessary support I needed.
I decided to then move on and do my own business. I had the benefit of being self-employed for most of my life. So I went away vowing to never compromise my basic values for cheap gains.
That's how I came to do what I do. And I feel really happy when I go to sell my heaters to a family and come out feeling like a friend to them. I never apply pressure sales (in fact I don't know how to survive with that attitude!).
Luckily for me, all the people that have joined me across the country are people of deep integrity, conviction with manifest belief in and fear of God. People of such calibre know they'll be accountable to a higher power somewhere if they do what is not right. And we're bunch of successful salespeace (not salesforce) now. Obviously I can't tell you our turnover but it certainly is keeping 14 people and their families well fed, sheltered and clothed.
So the word "ethical" is just oxygen to me.
Tags: electric, electro heating systems, energy saving, heaters, storage, sueka
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Karen Maskall on -
Abdul that is such an inspirational story and certainly portrays your values. You have all the qualifications you need to succeed. What happened to the guy that gave all his life savings to the original business? I'm sure things worked out for him in the end!
And the guy that wasn't quite so ethical.......... well it's not for us to say but I'm sure he will have learned a lesson about the values of trust and integrity. As can we all!
Karen
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Permalink Reply by Karen Maskall on
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Permalink Reply by Pamela Ostrom on
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I love what you did, Abdul -- you FORGAVE your friend and moved ahead with YOUR life. That is powerful. Very, very powerful. I know that your understanding, compassion and determination to follow your heart and soul (which is what we do when we live by our own true values) opened the door for you to receive a new business and a better life. Congratulations and thank you for sharing your wonderful story. I LOVE the word "salespeace"!
To health and prosperity,
Pamela
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