On the first day of officially launching my InsurTech company, Pearl Jam’s “Vs.” album played in the background at an unhealthy volume, and a frosty celebratory beer was on my horizon.
That is until an unexpected phone call from a frustrated client changed everything, challenging the very integrity and viability of our business model and launching a philosophy to believe in better. Always.
An Ongoing Mindset
The complaint wasn’t just a critique; it was a revelation. Everything was on the line at that point, and the pressure was at its peak. I had just quit my amazing job with great income eight hours earlier. This gap in understanding highlighted a fundamental flaw in our communication. It was a harsh realization that our business model had to evolve to address this issue and align our services more closely with client expectations.
This moment solidified my belief in the principle of constantly striving for better. It’s more than correcting mistakes; it’s about a commitment to excellence in all aspects of your business—from communication and service delivery to innovation and cultural development.
Believing in better isn’t an abstract concept; it’s a practical approach that has been the backbone of every company I’ve started and is the basis of Alpine Intel’s evolution. It’s a philosophy that has brought us from a struggling start-up to an organization of 500 employees and nearing a billion in valuation, based on real profit and a real company—one I started a dozen years ago.
Building a Forward-Thinking Culture
Believing in better became the cornerstone of our philosophy, driving innovation, cultivating a forward-thinking culture, and building resilience against challenges. Here are some of the reasons why business leaders of all industries need to adopt a philosophy of believing in better.
Here’s why business leaders must believe in better:
- Fostering Innovation and Growth: My belief in constantly striving for better has been the cornerstone of innovation at Alpine Intel. It pushed us to find new solutions and explore uncharted territories.
- Cultivating a Forward-Thinking Culture: This belief has shaped our company culture. At Alpine Intel, enough is never enough. And the cliché of being on a constant journey to improve is our every day.
- Building Resilience in the Face of Challenges: In business, change or be changed! Challenges are going to happen. My belief in better has been key in turning these challenges into opportunities for learning and growth.
- Attracting and Retaining Talent: By believing in better, we’ve created an environment that attracts individuals who share this vision. This has been instrumental in building a team that is both talented and aligned with our goals.
- Driving Customer Satisfaction and Loyalty: This philosophy extends to how we treat our customers. At Alpine Intel, we’re committed to continuously improving our customer interactions, which has been vital in building lasting relationships.
- Ensuring Long-term Success: In our pursuit of excellence, we’ve focused on sustainable strategies. Believing in better means building a business that not only succeeds today but thrives in the long run.
That first day of entrepreneurship, with its mix of excitement and a jolting reality check, was a pivotal point in my career. It taught me that success in business requires more than just a good product or service; it requires a mindset focused on continuous improvement and excellence.
It’s this mindset that challenges the status quo, drives innovation, and leads to sustainable success. As we look ahead, it’s evident that leaders who will leave a lasting impact are those who believe in better—in their products, their teams, and their overarching purpose.
