Ever heard of the ‘mirror test’? As applied to people, the mirror test means that when we look at the mirror in the morning, we see ourselves as the kind of persons we want to be; the kind of persons other people believe in; the kind of persons other people respect; and the kind of persons that other people like and trust.

People in business like the exporters should subject themselves to the ‘mirror test’ now and then to make sure that their business in their business endeavors or the wealth they are accumulating have not distorted their values. Why? Because businessmen deal with people all the time. People with feelings and sensitivities. And whether we believe it or not, the success of businesses depend a great deal on people.

Ironically however, many businessmen do not put a premium on relationship with people. They learn, too late in the game that dealing honestly and with compassion with people is the secret of successful business and successful living as well.

Let me raise the following questions:

• How many labor strikes occurred because of the rude way a supervisor treated an employee?

• How many shipments did not push through because management did not extend an emergency loan to an employee whose wife died in an accident?

• How many businesses broke up because the partners or the major stockholders could not control their temper and shouted at one another?

• How many export deals were aborted because the exporters badmouthed a foreign buyer in our local dialect which the latter understood being married for years to a Filipina?

• How many loans were not granted because the businessmen treated the bank officials as if the latter were their subordinates?

• How many export deals were lost because businessmen slandered their local competitors before foreign buyers?

• How many employees are resigning from companies because of their perception that the companies have no concern for their welfare?

• How much productivity is lost because the workers lost their motivation to give their best due to unreasonable withholding of their salaries?

• How many cases between employees and employers arise because the due process provision of the Constitution is not followed?

• How many employees are discontented because their employers-bosses never introduce reforms in their working area; in their working benefits; and in their working relationships?

I know a talented lady who quit her job for another one with a much lower salary because she could not stand the tactless remarks of the general manager.

There are a thousand and other incidents on relationships that definitely hamper business success. But the cases mentioned will suffice to prove my point that relationship is a crucial matter. Not only in business transactions but in relating with our spouses, our children, our officemates as well as other people.

Hopefully, this article will challenge exporters to make an honest audit of how they deal with other people especially their workers. We never go wrong when we consider the welfare and interest of other people.

Have a joyful day!