Want people to trust you? Be Authentic.
11 November 2025
Want people to trust you? Show up.
Want people to trust you? Put others before yourself.
Want people to trust you? Give before you take.
Want people to trust you? Add value to their lives.
It was with these principles as my foundation that, 35 years ago, I set out on the great voyage of entering the learning and development market — with no HR experience at all, but as someone with years of sales, sales management, and operational leadership experience… and a healthy dose of courage.
I never set out to build a large, scalable business. Developing salespeople and operational managers has always been my passion — and I wanted to keep it that way: personal, practical, and close to my clients.
Very early on, I made a decision that still guides everything I do today: never tell clients what they want.
I don’t push catalogues of off-the-shelf products. Instead, I draw from an extensive range of topics and design something bespoke — it has to fit, otherwise the client wastes their money.
So where am I, and where is Merit Business Institute, today?
Still doing exactly what we set out to do 35 years ago — being authentic, showing up, putting others first, giving before taking, and adding value to people’s lives.
For me, success isn’t measured by my bank balance, the size of my house, or where I live.
Success is measured by changed lives.
And even if it’s just one life — it’s still worth it.
Written by Mark Deavall
If you would like to talk to me, please call me on +2782 465 5481 or email me on markd@markdeavall.com
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