Ten Things I Learned from Bill Porter Ch 10

Bill Porter's Value System

• Bill Porter, despite facing cerebral palsy and job struggles, maintained a strong work ethic and unwavering values.
• His mother, Irene Porter, instilled in him seven core values: faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, and integrity.
• Porter learned to view obstacles as opportunities and embraced his disability as a gift.
• He viewed customers as "brothers and sisters" demonstrating faith in humanity.
• Porter's parents taught him that knowledge is crucial for success.
• He acquired extensive knowledge about his products and industry, excelling in sales.
• Porter's "money-back guarantee" strategy broadened his customer base.
• Faced adversity with perseverance, choosing to keep working, even after job losses.
• Demonstrated integrity in all dealings, ensuring accurate transactions and refunds.

Core Values

• Faith: Porter's deeply religious upbringing emphasized faith in God, which manifested in gratitude and acceptance of life's events.
• He viewed his cerebral palsy as a gift.
• His faith translated to faith in humankind, relating to customers as equals and family.
• Divine Nature: Porter believed he had god-given qualities and gifts, which he diligently explored and shared with others.
• This manifested in his ability to build trust and connect with people while selling.
• He helped others recognize their divine gifts.
• Individual Worth: Porter's parents taught him the immense worth of a person, despite any disability or struggles.
• This self-worth enabled him to navigate challenges without self-doubt.
• Porter sought to inspire others with his example and approach life to the fullest.
• Knowledge: Knowledge was central to Porter's success.
• He sought to understand everything about the products he sold and the industry.
• He refined his sales approach with meticulous knowledge of his clients.
• Choice and Accountability: Porter made conscious choices despite difficulties.
• He demonstrated resilience in the job market by not giving up on finding success.
• He took ownership of his decisions and actions.
• Good Works: Porter embodied service and giving back to others.
• He helped those who faced struggles, even anonymously.
• He expressed gratitude for the support he received, paying it forward on various occasions.
• Integrity: Honesty and fairness dictated his interactions.
• He prioritized customer satisfaction and offered guarantees.
• He believed in the importance of ethical dealings, ensuring honesty wasn't a compromise.

The Brady Family Values

• The author's family also prioritized values, illustrated by their mission statement.
• Focusing on unity, responsibility and caring for one another.
• They were keen on reinforcing important values, such as kindness, helpfulness, gratitude, love and honesty, over the years.