“Clarity of why” success stories

Tesla

One great example of a success story with a clear purpose is Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. Tesla’s purpose is to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy and make the world a cleaner place for future generations. This clear purpose has been the driving force behind the company’s success and has helped it become one of the most valuable car manufacturers in the world.

Elon Musk has always been passionate about reducing carbon emissions and creating a sustainable future. When he founded Tesla in 2003, his goal was to create electric cars that were as good, if not better, than gasoline-powered cars. He wanted to prove that electric vehicles could be practical, affordable, and desirable for consumers.

Despite facing many challenges, Tesla has stayed true to its purpose and has continued to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible in sustainable transportation. The company has introduced several groundbreaking electric vehicles, such as the Model S, Model X, and Model 3. These vehicles have received critical acclaim and widespread adoption by consumers.

Tesla has also made significant contributions to the development of sustainable energy infrastructure, such as the Supercharger network and the Powerwall home battery system. These initiatives are helping to reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels and are paving the way for a more sustainable future.

Thanks to Tesla’s clear purpose and unwavering commitment to sustainability, the company has become a global leader in electric vehicles and sustainable energy. Its success has inspired many other companies to follow suit. It has helped to accelerate the transition to a cleaner, greener world and in doing so has changed a whole industry.

Apple

Another great success story of a clear “why” for customers is Apple. From the beginning, Apple’s “why” has been to challenge the status quo and think differently. The company’s purpose is to create products that are beautifully designed, easy to use, and improve people’s lives. Most importantly, Apple communicates why their products are effective. While most companies communicated the what of MP3 players, Apple simply said: 1000 songs in your pocket.

Apple’s clear “why” has resonated with consumers and differentiated the company from its competitors. Apple’s products are known for their sleek and elegant design, intuitive user interface, and high quality. The company has built a loyal customer base who are willing to pay a premium for its products because they believe in the company’s purpose.

The commitment to its purpose has also helped the company innovate and stay ahead of the curve. Apple was the first company to introduce the graphical user interface, which revolutionized the computer industry, and the iPod, which transformed the music industry. The company’s clear “why” has also driven its success in the smartphone market, with the introduction of the iPhone. This has become one of the most popular and profitable products in history.

Apple’s success story highlights the importance of having a clear “why” for customers. When a company has a clear purpose that resonates with its customers, it can create a strong brand identity, build customer loyalty, and drive innovation.

TOMS Shoes

Another success story of a clear “why” for customers is TOMS Shoes. TOMS Shoes was founded in 2006 with the clear purpose of “One for One”. For every pair of shoes sold, the company donates a pair of shoes to a child in need. This clear purpose has resonated with customers and helped the company become one of the most successful and well-known social enterprises in the world.

TOMS Shoes’ “One for One” model appeals to customers who want to make a positive impact in the world through their purchases. The company’s shoes are stylish and comfortable, but also give customers the satisfaction of knowing that their purchase is making a difference in the lives of others. The company’s clear purpose has also helped build a strong brand identity and a loyal customer base.

TOMS Shoes has expanded its “One for One” model beyond shoes to include eyewear, coffee, and bags. The company’s commitment to giving back has helped it differentiate itself from its competitors and inspired other companies to adopt similar models.

TOMS Shoes’ success story shows the power of a clear “why” for customers. When a company has a clear purpose that aligns with its customers’ values, it can build a strong brand identity, drive customer loyalty, and make a positive impact in the world.

What can we learn from these stories?

The primary takeaway from the success stories of Tesla, Apple, and TOMS Shoes is that clarity of purpose or “why” seems to be a key factor in achieving long-term organizational health and growth. If we look beyond this, we also find that: 

• Saying “no” to great opportunities that do not align with a company’s purpose is a hallmark of successful organizations. All of these companies are great examples of what they are NOT doing, as well as what they have chosen to do. While it may seem counterintuitive, turning down potentially lucrative ideas that don’t fit with the company’s “why” is a sign of a truly great organization.
  
• Communicating purpose and values to both employees and customers is important to build a strong brand identity and drive customer loyalty.
  
• Purpose, values, emotions and a drive to improve the world are strongly related to success outside of what is normal in the market place. Taking a stand on purpose and values pays off. 

In conclusion, clarity of why is vital for organizational health and growth. These examples show that when a company has a clear purpose that aligns with its values and customers’ values, it can differentiate itself, build a loyal customer base, and make a positive impact in the world.

A story of purpose for customers

References:

Apple’s clear “why” for customers:
“The Power of Why: How Apple’s Purpose Drives Success” by David Hain, Forbes
“The secret of Apple’s success: simplicity” by Suzanne Bearne, The Guardian

TOMS Shoes’ clear “why” for customers:
“The Story of TOMS” by Blake Mycoskie, Medium
“The “One-for-One” Business Model That’s Changing Lives Around the World” by Amanda Kuda, Inc.