The principle of a genuine value proposition: The more genuine a value proposition is, the more established it can become.

An ecosystem

All businesses are part of an ecosystem – the net of interdependence that brings all things together for the common good. 

As part of the interdependence, no business can justify its own existence. They all depend on each other – on the GENUINE values they create for each other and the GENUINE values they receive from each other. 

‘Genuine’ means truthful, authentic, real, actual, original, unadulterated, undisputed, rightful, valid, sincere, honest, natural, and ingenuous. 

The genuine values, therefore, refer to truthful values, authentic values, real values, actual values, original values, unadulterated values, undisputed values, rightful values, valid values, sincere values, honest values, natural values, and ingenuous values. 

What’s the role of genuine values in an ecosystem?

Genuine values are the very livelihood to be circulated in an ecosystem – they are the very reason an ecosystem can thrive. And a lack of it would explain the otherwise. 

Essentially, genuine values involve two things: do no harm and do good. 

‘Do no harm’ is the bottom line. It mandates that a value proposition should not cause systematic damages to the entities involved. All entities in the ecosystem have the responsibility to prevent and reduce negative impacts on others. 

‘Do good’, on the other hand, is the top line. It calls for positive, real values to be created for those who depend on the business. 

Between ‘do no harm’ and ‘do good’ is the net genuine value a business creates for the ecosystem. 

Take Akamai Mineral Toothpowder for instance. 

Akamai Mineral Toothpowder is a Fulvic-mineral-empowered toothpowder brand. 

Their bottom line is to completely eliminate harmful chemicals. They make sure that their toothpowder is free of parabens, propylene glycol, triclosan, fluoride, foaming agents, SLS/SLES, carrageenan, preservatives, titanium dioxide, DEA, plastic microbeads, cosmetic colorants, saccharine, benzoic acid, artificial flavors, artificial chemicals, cheap fillers or sweeteners, silica, glycerin, and pesticides.

Their top line? To boost long-term oral health by only using the minimally processed, therapeutic, bio-available ingredients. These ingredients contain ‘living’ clays, 72 bio-available trace and macro minerals, 14 amino acids, 5 vitamins, and 16 organic acids. The combined potency is unparallel in cleaning teeth, re-mineralizing enamel, repairing gums, restoring cellular functions, balancing oral microbiome, and healing oral tissues for self-regulation. 

The net genuine value they create? Clean teeth, healthy gum, wholesome wellbeing, and invigorating confidence. 

If we could compare Akamai to the average brands in the market, we can notice that the average brands fall short on both bottom line and top line: They use harmful chemicals, and they do not consider ‘nourishment’ as an essential part of their formula. 

The net genuine value Akamai creates is unparallel, and that justifies their establishment in the ecosystem. 

The principle of a genuine value proposition

Indeed, the more genuine a value proposition is, the more established it can become. 

Here the establishment is not about economic power or market monopoly. It is about the strong dependence of the other entities on this value proposition. The more genuine values this focal business creates, the greater the dependence the other entities would have on this business, and the stronger alliance the entities would form in rooting for this business.

And that is what the principle of a genuine value proposition is all about.