Putting Customers First
The Shinsei™ Method applies to business and self-help equally well because the method is based on the application of principle ‘Shin’ for principle, mind or being; ‘Sei’ for life. Life-Principle. The three steps: analyze, define, and act encourage research, analysis, critical thinking, logical deduction, and preparedness. Life and business are based on decision making. People and managers make hundreds if not thousands of decisions a day from what to wear to who to hire. Those decisions are based on the values and ultimately the pattern of thinking an individual holds. Value is inescapable, the only question is what kind of value is it: short term or long term, rational, or irrational. And, how is that determined? By what standard are these measured? This is a profound question even though it is deceptively simple because evaluating whether or not a decision is rational or irrational also depends on value and character. This evaluation depends on where an analysis starts and what the premises are to guide that analysis. Character and value will also determine if there are any premises at all or just vague notions. Analysis is also crucial, but the process of analysis is always the same: premises, research, planning, evaluation or thinking, re-thinking etc. This process applies equally well to business analysis and self-analysis, and it is why the Shinsei™ Method is a method of improvement for business and life. Since this process is easier for business, business is a very useful guide for self-cultivation. In business profit and profitability are very effective in determining areas to improve. So, if the concept of profit can be applied for practical effect in life, it is wise to do so.
This means, before you can even ask the question is my decision ‘rational,’ you first have to know what rational means. Then you have to be able to distinguish between rational and irrational. This implies a process of analysis, measurement and the existence of a standard by which to measure. If there are no standards established or no means of measurement, there is no practical way to make this distinction. Therefore, it is more desirable to establish a rational standard that makes sense for the situation. Moreover, if your patterns of thinking (and thus your values) are dominantly short term, even if you do attempt to evaluate a decision, it will be skewed toward short term values. However, profit is a long term consideration. If the fundamental values you use are at odds with the basics of profit, it is highly unlikely that the process of achieving profit will be as effective as it could be since in this case the values are in conflict with profit. The pernicious aspect of this in business and life is it is something an individual may not even know.
This is one of the reasons that the Shinsei™ Method strongly emphasizes three steps. The first one is analysis. Analyze your key terms, values, and patterns of thinking. This requires the principle of self-awareness. These terms are not empty, esoteric abstractions. They have practical importance. The principle of awareness, which is so rarely taught or encouraged, is crucial to performance improvement. It is impossible to change, transform, develop, or manage anything not a business, not a family, not a community, not a nation, if you are unaware of the facts. In this case change, improvement, and transformation have a specific meaning: to make something provably better. Again, this requires a standard and a means of measuring between better or worse. It is irrelevant that it is very popular to dismiss such considerations and then scurry to cover up any unpleasant consequences or to pass costs to unsuspecting customers. And, rather than changing this style to be more responsible, more attentive, more careful (i.e. more aware) many professionals and businesses have customers sign agreements to absolve them of all expectations for rational conduct–or at least to attempt to do this by “limiting their liability.” In other words, many businesses instead of really improving and doing their jobs better and in so doing limit their liability (i.e. they behave more prudently so there is less risk for mistakes, injury, negligence, trouble, or problems), they attempt to contract it away. What does this mean in practical terms? It means that instead of wasting much time, energy, and money on impractical marketing slogans with themes that are completely devoid of truth like “customer service is our number one priority,” spend the time, the money and the resources proving it, showing it, and behaving as if this were true. Action is the most potent form of communication. This is one of the most important reasons that the Shinsei™ Method emphasizes step three as well as steps one and two: analyze, define, and act.