The Value of Valuing Value

How would you describe your approach to business? I was asked that question recently and it took me a minute to answer. Reflecting on my approach was a great exercise for me, however, because I realized what gets me going, what makes me tick, is helping people. In other words, I like to provide value.

My approach to business goes hand in hand with I do at AP Recovery. I like to provide value, and I like to be in a business that provides value for my clients. If there is a way to go into a company to help them focus on their core business, I am on board. That’s what drives me. I like bringing something to the table my client doesn’t already have.

In leadership, helping people comprises the core of my philosophy as well. I believe two brains are better than one. So I am not one that’s going to think only of my opinion. I involve other people and their ideas. We collaborate to create an overall solution. When we work together in this way, we use the resources of other people to make sure we are providing the best-case scenario for a project, company, investment strategy or whatever we need to do. Together as a team we use all the information out there to make a good decision. In other words, we provide more value.

Adding value is something I have believed in for most of my life. I learned its importance when I was teenager volunteering at an organization. At that early age, I learned the satisfaction that comes with helping someone with his or her need.

Great leaders know that value comes from the collaboration of many to create a solution for one. Steve Jobs believed this, too. Jobs was a very smart guy, but he didn’t rely on his intellect alone to lead the direction of one of the most influential brands on the planet; he always involved others. I believe it is his ability to see the value in this collaborative approach that made Apple one of the most influential brands on the planet. It helped him reach that level of influence.

Now, to date, AP Recovery hasn’t reached the level of influence of Apple. But for my clients, we do provide exceptional value. Our audits are straightforward, intuitive and effective. When we take on an audit, we strive to enhance our client’s disbursement management efficiency. We provide information to improve your financial performance with meaningful recommendations, obtained by a thorough but unobtrusive audit. We do this with our advanced modular reporting tool developed by our Team called iKnowNow. Not only do we provide value by identifying past errors, our team helps prevent them in the future.

My group provides the utility bill service. We look for saving opportunities and errors in the accounts payable departments. I have analysts that run the group. I also manage the auditors and support the sales reps where somebody is interested in the service. Sure, I am in charge of the department, but it is the skills and decisions of my team that provide value to our clients. My job as the leader is to get out of their way.

It’s funny, but before I thought about this question the other day, I hadn’t put this into words. However, now that I think about it, I feel convinced there is great value in valuing value. Sure, it’s a play on words — and a bit of a tongue twister at that — but it’s the best reason I can think of for doing business today.

My question to you today is what drives you in business and leadership? Or better yet, how do you create value for your team and your clients?

Cameron Shaw is the Energy/Utility Specialist for AP Recovery, the undisputed leader in off-site recovery audits and prevention technologies for disbursement management. Cameron knows the key to helping people is to add value. With over 20 years helping clients understand and optimize their energy and utility expenses, he knows how to help companies reduce their unnecessary costs.