Nathan Phinney, one of the most successful MSPs and the author of Ctrl+Alt+Survive: The Secrets of My Small Business Success,” brought his dynamic message to the XChange and IT Conference in a spirited address on giving back and ensuring your business is about more than just the bottom line. His message set deep roots with the audience from his personal beginning of working with nonprofits to the valuable education about public relations and messaging.
A Journey Rooted in Service
Nathan first established his company to help meet the informational, communications, and technology needs of nonprofits, which over time evolved into a position supporting many charities. He learned through this that it really helps not only the community but also the business.
Lessons from the 80s: Technology and Humanity
One thing that really popped for me was Nathan’s opening, where he showed pictures of the popular 80s TV shows Knight Rider and Airwolf. He compared Knight Rider—a show about advanced technology, with AI way ahead of its time, and a man who took that technology and used it to help people—to what an MSP should do today. In other words, the point being raised here is that an MSP should put greater focus on helping others rather than just selling their services.
The Power of Words: Eradicating “Just”
Perhaps the most striking point during Nathan’s presentation was when he spoke to the use of the word “just.” He told a story working with a manufacturer producing nuts for NASA. In a discussion with an employee, she called their company a “just” nut manufacturer. Nathan thought it a deep “aha” moment and asked if she knew how important those nuts were. He told that when the nuts work properly, they protect the astronauts en route to and from space. He recalled the fatal incident of the last explosion in the Space Shuttle, which was found to be due to a defective nut. Nathan then emphasized that those nuts are significant for the safety of U.S. astronauts and hence, the work of the company becomes very important. From that day on, this employee took pride in telling that story, and for the first time felt true value in her work. Nathan’s message was loud and clear: never underestimate the value of your contribution. He encouraged everyone to stop using the word “just” to describe their value and to help others recognize that one’s role is important.
Supporting Data and Testimonials
Indeed, studies have shown that companies that engage in community service and charitable activities benefit from increased employee satisfaction levels and customer loyalty. In fact, the Cone Communications study revealed that 87 percent of consumers indicated they would purchase a product because a company supported an issue they cared about.
Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder of BNI and NY Times Bestselling Author: “Nathan shares here a blend of hard-won insights and practical strategies for entrepreneurs who understand that people and relationships are key to business success.”
A Call to Action
Nathan Phinney’s talk was a sober reminder that our work, though small in nature, touches the lives of many people. He wanted everyone to go back and reflect differently about what each contributed and to question others in their thinking about their respective contributions. The two-part question he left us with was whether one uses the word “just” to describe their value, and will one help others—whether fellow employees, one’s employees, or neighbors—stop and correct people that use the word “just” to describe their contribution to society? Nathan’s message was convincing and an inspiration in the highest degree, making us raise our work to a greater purpose, encouraging contributing back to the communities.
“This book will inspire you to make bold, thoughtful moves. A manifesto for bold, scrappy leaders who refuse to settle for the status quo and long to do work that matters, CTRL ALT SURVIVE will show you the way one company did it—through the challenges and triumphs.”
Article by David Walter