The Power of Purpose in Business

Our Chairman Will Farnell answers the question ‘Why do we do what we do?’ 

This is a question that most can ask equally of our normal day to day lives, just as much as we may ask it when choosing to set up a business.  The answer to this question drives the decisions we make in almost everything we do. 

The power of purpose in business 

As our business here at Farnell Clarke continues to grow, and we take on new team members – distilling our purpose through an organisation to our team and to our clients becomes a difficult and challenging obstacle. 

It can be a real challenge for founders, but when the overall purpose is deep routed enough within the values and beliefs of what we do, it becomes an easier proposition to ensure we continue to live and breathe it as we see our business flourish. 

I firmly believe that the ‘underlying purpose’ in which I started Farnell Clarke with, enabled us to grow consistently over the last 15 years. Yes, of course, there have been challenges and bumps on the road, but my own unwavering commitment to the purpose of Farnell Clarke and with the willingness of the team we have accumulated along the way, to buy into that purpose has undeniably contributed to our success. 

My vision for Farnell Clarke back in 2007 was to change the way professional services were delivered and the way those services were perceived by those that engaged them.  Fundamentally to me, professional services were broken, and clients did not get what they deserved – I saw it as my job to go and fix that. 

It all started in my back garden, in a garage – a big challenge, but that didn’t bother me as I was going to change the world! Of course, I have not really changed the world but I, and the Farnell Clarke team at the time, led a charge, we challenged the status quo, we took big risks on new and untested technology that enabled us to deliver a new type of service with a new business model.  Today, some 15 years on this model is largely the norm for accounting service delivery, at least from switched on tech savvy accounting firms. 

None of this would have happened without that laser focus on what I wanted to achieve – the bold goals that I set myself and the team.  My absolute desire to make a change for good drove me to have faith in my aspirations. 

So, purpose is power, clarity of vision is critical and building a team, core values and desire to deliver your dream is perhaps the single biggest influencer on the success of your business.  If you have not yet considered your why, your purpose in life, and what difference you wanted to make to the world with your business, there is no better time to start that right now. 

Find out more about Farnell Clarke and what we do here. Or, if you have any questions, you can always contact us here.