If there’s anything I’ve learned in business, it’s the value of the dollar.
The dollar can buy you food, drinks, and fun with friends. It can buy you plane tickets; puts gas in your car; helps you “breathe easier” when there’s enough of it.
In a previous employment role, I was given the task of making an “executive decision.” Here’s the scenario:
Couple A wants to buy this item. They’ll have a lot of use out of it, and it could very well improve their livelihood. At the moment of the sale, they would need to finance over six months to afford what they were buying.
Person B wants to buy this same item. They’ll use it occasionally, have some fun with it, and perhaps sell it when the time comes. It provides a temporary use, enjoyment, and isn’t a poor choice of purchase. Person B could pay for it outright that day.
My dilemma: Who do I sell to?
“Business sense” dictates I sell to Person B. I receive all my money up front, I relinquish the item, and there’s no more hassle with continued communication, disappointment, or any number of other scenarios.
On the other hand, my heart was telling me that I should “hold out for the good in people.” I knew Couple A was putting themselves in a difficult position simply asking for financing to begin with, much less having to prioritize budgeting differently to accommodate the demand in buying the item. Simply put; if they were willing to feel uncomfortable in this scenario, and maintain a “want” for this unit even after six months, I was doing the right thing.
I worked with Couple A. Despite knowing I would receive smaller, incremental payments and have to maintain the unit on premises six months longer, it seemed the right thing to do. They paid on time every penny each month until having the opportunity to leave with the unit.
“Holding out for the good in people” can and will always set me up for some probability of disappointing opportunities. Things happen that can derail agreements and unfortunately can affect plans.
I ask anyone who’s reading to think about this. Trusting people is never easy, because it places you in a position of vulnerability. And no one likes feeling vulnerable. This is why relationships are so difficult; changing careers; receiving criticism; or even trying new things.
Hold out for the good in people. It may make your heart hurt, but at least you’ll be worth something to yourself.
The dollar can buy you food, drinks, and fun with friends. It can buy you plane tickets; puts gas in your car; helps you “breathe easier” when there’s enough of it.
In a previous employment role, I was given the task of making an “executive decision.” Here’s the scenario:
Couple A wants to buy this item. They’ll have a lot of use out of it, and it could very well improve their livelihood. At the moment of the sale, they would need to finance over six months to afford what they were buying.
Person B wants to buy this same item. They’ll use it occasionally, have some fun with it, and perhaps sell it when the time comes. It provides a temporary use, enjoyment, and isn’t a poor choice of purchase. Person B could pay for it outright that day.
My dilemma: Who do I sell to?
“Business sense” dictates I sell to Person B. I receive all my money up front, I relinquish the item, and there’s no more hassle with continued communication, disappointment, or any number of other scenarios.
On the other hand, my heart was telling me that I should “hold out for the good in people.” I knew Couple A was putting themselves in a difficult position simply asking for financing to begin with, much less having to prioritize budgeting differently to accommodate the demand in buying the item. Simply put; if they were willing to feel uncomfortable in this scenario, and maintain a “want” for this unit even after six months, I was doing the right thing.
I worked with Couple A. Despite knowing I would receive smaller, incremental payments and have to maintain the unit on premises six months longer, it seemed the right thing to do. They paid on time every penny each month until having the opportunity to leave with the unit.
“Holding out for the good in people” can and will always set me up for some probability of disappointing opportunities. Things happen that can derail agreements and unfortunately can affect plans.
I ask anyone who’s reading to think about this. Trusting people is never easy, because it places you in a position of vulnerability. And no one likes feeling vulnerable. This is why relationships are so difficult; changing careers; receiving criticism; or even trying new things.
Hold out for the good in people. It may make your heart hurt, but at least you’ll be worth something to yourself.
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