The Christmas Spirit Is More Than Just Good Business, It’s Just Plain Good

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. - Roy L. Smith

With Christmas less than one week away, it’s a good time to celebrate the spirit that makes this season magical. Not only that, but studies show that performing good deeds is good business. In an article published in BusinessWeek.com Cisco’s CEO says good citizenship is more than charity, “it’s also a critical element of a company’s brand and reputation.” In addition it boosts morale and generates a positive energy that’s contagious and heart-warming.

It’s important for small businesses to help out when they can, even when they’re not asked. The following story illustrates how giving of oneself always carries its own reward:

In ancient times, a King had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king’s wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the King for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the stone out of the way.

Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. Upon approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road. After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. After the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the King indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway. The peasant learned what many of us never understand!

Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve our condition.

It’s important to think the best of everyone, regardless of their circumstances. You want to avoid being taken advantage of, but you also want to enjoy the spirit of giving when possible. Consider this story of a young boy who, at a young age, already knew the importance of this principle:

In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10-year-old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.

‘How much is an ice cream sundae?’ he asked.

‘Fifty cents,’ replied the waitress.

The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied the coins in it.

‘Well, how much is a plain dish of ice cream?’ he inquired.

By now more people were waiting for a table and the waitress was growing impatient.

‘Thirty-five cents,’ she brusquely replied.

The little boy again counted his coins.

‘I’ll have the plain ice cream,’ he said.

The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and left. When the waitress came back, she began to cry as she wiped down the table. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies.

You see, he couldn’t have the sundae, because he had to have enough left to leave her a tip.

This is the time of year when you could make a difference in someone’s life. Not for a profit or the opportunity to promote your business, but just because it will influence someone’s life for the better and make you feel good. What can happen in just six days? You could fill your heart with more Christmas that could ever fit under a tree.

Merry Christmas!

References
“Cisco: Giving Back is ‘Good Business’.” BusinessWeek.com 11 August 2005