The Value Focused Beggar!
Frank Fagbo
Founder Frankly Business Podcast & Television Host/Business Analyst at Nairametrics & News Central TV
It took me a while before understanding the meaning of value until I boarded a bus and alighted at “Ikeja Along” and took the pedestrian bridge…
As I was climbing the staircase, I was avoiding the clusters of dirt this beggar was sweeping down the staircase, while reaching out to us for alms.
I don’t pay close attention to what he does most times, I just move pass him, but this particular day I saw him bring out some chunk of cash from his pocket to arrange and I decided to observe him.
He sat in the middle of the staircase holding a broom in front of a "halfway swept staircase", projecting it in the mind of the pedestrian that he is here for value – which is sweeping the staircase; while subtly asking for alms in the calmest and lowest tone you can think of.
After observing him for a while and I saw his conversion rate - the rate at which he achieved his goal (getting money from pedestrian). I decided to chew from his food for thought.
This man had 3 things in common:
- Value
- Strategy
- Positioning
He made sure he offered value, by not just sitting there to beg, but also bringing value to the table by sweeping. Value begets value, and it is the key to unlocking the flow of goodwill from others – which most times come in monetary form.
Be value focused!
He was strategic and spot-on in his approach to giving out the value he had to offer. Imagine every time he came, he swept the staircase completely and kept the broom instead of the "halfway swept staircase" strategy he uses? Apparently no one was going to know he did the sweeping and this wouldn’t extend any goodwill because, the pedestrian will feel they didn’t get any value in return.
He made sure he publicized the value – sweeping, by holding a broom in front of a halfway swept staircase, which was a great PR strategy to generate leads.
Don’t just bring value to the table; apply strategy to the value you’re bringing!
This guy was well positioned at the entrance of the city capital, where traffic is always generated. His target audience will always be found there.
Applying the right strategy in a bad position will always be dead on arrival.
What is your positioning?
You’ll notice how I stopped calling him a beggar, because I don’t see him as a beggar anymore, he is a business man, who knows:
When To Bring Value To The Table?
How To Bring Value To The Table?
Where To Bring Value To The Table?
Management Consultant at BriteWaters Management Solutions
1yInteresting observation and good insight, Mr. Fagbo… Interestingly, the beggar approach can be applied to community development, community transformation and community leadership… In this case, the value proposition would be “ Maximum benefit for all”… This approach can viewed from multi faceted prism, however two general view summarizes this best; 1) The Individual- as a recipient of alms, tips, grants, scholarship, loans, wages and commission, and 2) The Community- as recipient of fines, penalties, taxes, tariffs etc. The former delivers reliable, efficient and effective service/or product and the latter enables a prosperous environment where innovation thrives.. Sufficely, the beggar “conundrum” applies to all forms; the arrangement, structure and service delivery just might be varied/or different… And the noted principles might be a “key” driver…
Research Analyst || First Class graduate || Volunteer
4yThis was very insightful. A very intelligent observation. I think we need to understand that money only responds to value. Value creation is the surest way to make money.
Attended The Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti
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