I heard a story once about a debt collector who turned the standard business model on its head.

Instead of the manager incentivising it’s staff by the amount of revenue collected they incentivised them based upon the number of thank you cards the individual collector received.

Instead of collecting debt being the main goal, it was providing the best possible service. In turn the business grew because every person who had debts collected from them was so happy with the service they received. Whenever that person should need debts collecting there was only ever going to be one company they would want to act on their behalf.

Their customer service became their marketing.

Their motivation was doing what was right and not making money.

However the end result was they grew a successful business and made money.

NOTE: I will provide reference as to who that company was when I can track the company down. I think it was mention in Simon Sinek’s book “Start with why”