Money or People?
When I worked in retail many years ago, I quickly learned that
there were regular decisions about whether to sell the customer a
product that was best for them or one that made the most money for the
store. I learned that selling them what they wanted or needed resulted
in happy customers and a long term relationships.
Later when I owned my own business, we decided to always put the
customer first and know that the money would take care of itself. That
was a strategy that kept us satisfied with our business for many years.
It seems that the further management is from the customer, the more
likely they are to make decisions based on short term financial gain,
rather than long term relationships.
Jesus said, "You cannot serve both God and money." He implied that
there was a decision to be made, a priority that has to be set. We want
to make it clear that one way we serve God is by serving people.
Business people have a clear choice because serving people and
making money are pretty much related by cause and effect. When I visit
online business forums my comments are always along the lines of giving
people what they want or need, or serve the client first, then figure
out how to make it profitable.
In my photography business, the first priority is to figure out what the
customer wants, then set pricing that is fair and reasonable to
everyone.
