by: Stephanie Gonzalez photo by: Stephanie Ringleb Photography Material expenses are up. By materials, I mean tangible goods such as clothing, shoes, home accessories, office supplies, food, etc. We are living through a moment in time when the cost to run our life at home and at work have increased. One would think that the “value” of these purchases would equate with their price tag; where the quality of the product would rise and fall in accordance with pricing. As an example, let’s take a look at general online shopping habits. If you decide to purchase a product – let’s say a T-shirt – that happens to be on the more expensive side (comparatively speaking) one would think that customer service, packaging, fabric quality, manufacturing or longevity of the product would rise as the price of the product does. Yet, lately I have a few examples where the opposite occurs. For instance, let’s take eating out at a restaurant. How often do you decide to eat-out each week? Have you noticed a shift with your overall experience, more recently? There are a lot of details that make-up a dining experience: ambiance, cleanliness, customer service, quality and freshness of food, preparation, presentation and attention to detail all add (or subtract) to your overall enjoyment and satisfaction. I think of the Gandhi quote, “be the change you wish to see in the world.” Whoever you are in the world – entrepreneur, business owner, team leader, manager, coach, spouse, parent, child – you are a procreator. You are a creator of life, experiences and outcomes at both home and work. In life, we can complain about the missing piece, or become the missing piece. As a business owner, do you ever look around at other businesses and notice ways to improve it? If you find yourself looking around and desiring more follow-up, follow through, communication, or genuine understanding – I suggest you integrate and build your business around this value-offering. If you seek it, it is likely there are a lot more people like you who seek it too; and will therefore place value on it. As you rebrand, revise, or re-elevate your life- or business-model, take this approach into consideration. NOW is a time where you can stand out AND, as a business elevate the way you and your business are seen, heard, and felt!