STAKEHOLDERS

A stakeholder is either an individual, group

or organization who is impacted by the
outcome of a project. They have an interest
in the success of the project and can be
within or outside the organization that is
sponsoring the project.

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The aim proposed here for any organization
is for everybody to gain - stockholders,
employees, suppliers, customers,
community, the environment - over the long
term.

-W. Edwards Deming

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Identified
Stakeholders of

 Employees
 Investors
 Suppliers
 Customers
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 Employees

Employees have a direct stake in the

company in that they earn an income to
support themselves, along with other
benefits (both monetary and non-monetary).

“Clients do not come first. Employees come first. If you take care of your employees,
they will take care of the clients.” – Richard Branson
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• Bond of TRUST
Always be honest with your employees and never twist your
words. Always tell the truth. Be more transparent while you
approach your employees.

• APPRECIATE your employees

Give your employees the appreciation they need, they work for
you and dedicate a lot of time and effort for your company’s
growth. Pat their backs, make them feel special and let them
know how much you value their work. A simple gesture or a
‘Thank you’ note can lift their mood up and keep them
motivated.
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• RESPECT your employees
Respect your employees and their opinions. Don’t be harsh on
their face when you disagree with them. Respect their inputs and
try to explain your point of view with a little more empathy.

• Show VALUE, be EMPATHETIC

If any of your employees go to any problems and have a hard
time dealing with it. Give them your helping hand and this could
create wonders for your relationship.

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• ONE TO ONEInteractions
Go a little extra mile to talk to your employees and have a one-
to-one interaction with them when needed. This would create a sense
of support for your employees.

• Have A LEARNING ATTITUDE

Keep a learning attitude and this would help the employees to feel more
comfortable while they give their point of view to you. This also helps the
employees to realize that they are all the same and gives a sense of
oneness.

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 Investors
Investors include both shareholders and
debtholders. Shareholders invest capital in the
business and expect to earn a certain rate of return
on that invested capital. Investors are commonly
concerned with the concept of shareholder value.
Lumped in with this group are all other providers of
capital, such as lenders and potential acquirers.

"Returns matter a lot. It's our capital." — Abigail Johnson

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• RECOGNIZE THEIR VALUE beyond finances.
Acknowledge the relationships and expertise investors bring to the
table by giving them a voice.

• SET CLEAR EXPECTATIONS at the beginning.

You and your investors need to be on the same page about vision,
scale of growth and potential exit plans. Setting these expectations
can save both sides disappointment and frustration later.

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• LISTEN to their underlying concerns
Investors want your business to succeed just as much as you do.
Encourage open, clear dialogue so you can learn more about the
risks your investors are willing to take, the ones they'll balk at and
the reasoning behind these decisions. Only then will you truly
understand your investors' concerns.

• SHARE YOUR PASSION AND CONVICTIONS.

Investors aren’t just investing in your idea; they’re investing in
you. Nothing scares them more than an entrepreneur who’s going
through the motions and constantly seeking direction and
reassurance. Communicate your passion for your company and
what it stands for from the start. They’ll respect you more for it.
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• Be AUTHENTIC and RESPECTFUL
A solid relationship is rooted in authenticity and respect. Don’t be
afraid to break out of the business rhetoric and interact with your
investor on a personal level. Share plenty of small wins and keep
communication strong. If you set the tone for a mutually beneficial
relationship, your investors will feel confident in your abilities and be
more willing to invest in you in the future.

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Suppliers
Suppliers and vendors sell goods and/or services
to a business and rely on it for revenue
generation and on-going income.

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• UNDERSTAND THE NEED of your supplier
Respect their way of doing things and make it easy for them by
following their processes and timelines. 

• BE A GREAT CUSTOMER
Pay on time and keep your records in order so you don’t have to
waste your supplier’s time by getting them to re-send things.

• COMMUNICATION
Having the opportunity for both parties to provide feedback on
what’s been helpful or difficult can be the spark to develop
innovative ways to strengthen the relationship even further.
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• TIMELY FEEDBACK
Despite the very best preparation and planning, mistakes and
miscommunication can happen.  It’s important to tackle them with
your supplier quickly and in a professional manner.  Always allow
your supplier the opportunity to be part of a solution.

• LOYALTY
Understanding each other’s perspective and respecting
differences is key, along with an understanding of how each party
benefits themselves as well as each other.

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Customers
Customers are stakeholders of a business; in that
they are impacted by the quality of
service/products and their value.

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• COMMUNICATE
Communication is an essential way to build customer relationships.
Promoting your business and listening to your customers are equally
important. Rather than just telling customers about your business, have
conversations with them. Find out what your customers need, then show
them that you have a solution to their problem.

• EXCEED EXPECTATION
Your customers expect great products or services from you. You
should continue to raise the bar on what your company offers. To exceed
customer expectations, you can deliver a product or service faster than
anticipated. When you deliver earlier than expected, the customer will be
happy about the surprise. 
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• ASK FOR FEEDBACKS
Always listen carefully to comments and respond promptly, whether
it’s a compliment or a complaint. Customer feedback helps you hone
your customers’ specific needs so you can find the best solutions to
their problems. The better your offering meets their needs, the more
your business will grow.

• SHOW APPRECIATION
Reward long-time customers with a loyalty discount program. Also
give away inexpensive branded items, such as pens or notepads, or
even expensive items, like shirts, hats or jackets with your logo on it.
It’s a small yet effective way to say thank you to customers while
keeping your business top-of- mind.
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THANK YOU!