Few of us dig deep enough to truly understand our ecosystem

Most companies want a more engaged ecosystem. They want enthusiastic investors and loyal customers. However, most don’t understand the basics of making that happen. What value are you adding to those around you that you don't realize, or are not even aware of? Sadly, most companies don’t know the answer. It is high time to change that.

If you want a PHD-level lesson in how to build and nurture an investor ecosystem, rewatch It’s A Wonderful Life and take note of the actions of George Bailey. Everything you need to know is there.

George Bailey spent his entire life challenged - struggling to add value to those around him. Sadly, he didn’t even realize that he was already doing it. Why didn’t he realize it? Because he was distracted. He wanted to travel. He wanted to see the world. He wanted to build cities and plan communities. He spent a great deal of his life frustrated.

Meanwhile, he was adding value to a deep ecosystem all around him. He just had no idea. Only after he ‘no longer existed’ was he able to fully see the positive impact he had on the world. By no longer being there, he was able to finally see the hole left in his ecosystem? Only then was he able to see who he was adding value to? Only then was he able to see the value that he was adding to all of his stakeholders.

Most companies never take the time to map their ecosystem

Becoming fully aware of our ecosystem is not necessarily an easy process. However, I challenge every business to implement the ‘George Bailey Method’. Yes, it takes time. But I believe that the time spent will pay huge dividends throughout the life of the business.

Who are you adding value to? How are you adding that value? What stakeholders do you not even know you have? Who is out there championing you? Who is out there rooting for you? If you are successful, who else becomes successful along with you?

THESE are the types of questions you and your team need to ask. These questions will take you to new territory.

I guarantee that we all have stakeholders in our life that we are not giving enough ‘love’ to. Do your business a favor, and identify these people. These people care about you and your success. It is imperative to engage these people and empower them with the tools they need to help your business create successful too - just as you have already helped them.

Your company is adding value to people - do you REALLY know who they are

George Bailey saved his brother Harry’s life from drowning. Harry then went on to save the lives of the soldiers on a troop transport in WWII. George Bailey kept the pharmacist Mr. Gower from accidentally putting poison into a child’s medicine - saving his life. Sam Wainright made millions in plastics. It was George Bailey that supplied Sam with the cheap warehouse space and labor to enable that success.

The point is that George didn’t even KNOW that he had built this ecosystem. Yet he was a natural. He created and nurtured it his entire life. He cared about the success of those around him. In turn, they cared for him. It was an ecosystem that, in the end, ultimately saved him and his family when he needed it the most. He spent his life frustrated at what he could not do, not even noticing what he was enormously successful at.

The same could probably be said for most of us, and for the companies that we are building. The trick is not always to create an ecosystem from scratch, but to dig in deeper to the one that you have already created. Find the value you have created, and then follow it back to those that value YOU the most.

It is not just about customers and investors - there are others that care too

Most companies list their customers and their investors as the only members of their ecosystem. Well, that is a start. Those two groups are vitally important. But it is not taking it far enough. As a company, you MUST dig deeper to become aware of your true ecosystem. Really look at your business. Look at every step in the supply and value chain.

Where are you adding value? Where is your company, your product, or your service adding value? THAT is your ecosystem. Find those individuals. Figure out ways to help make their life or business even better. Empower them with ways to help your business be more successful.

Channel your inner George Bailey to create, grow, nurture and care for those that care for you - because that is how it is done. From the movie, I have always liked the quote from Clarence, Angel 2nd Class:

“It's strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many Other lives. When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”

If your company or service were to go away, what hole would that leave? Who are YOUR champions. Look there, that is where you will find your true ecosystem…

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“It's strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many Other lives. When he isn't around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?”