I’m fed up. I’m really fed up of the business bullshit—the attitude and the rampant narcissism, the lingo and the catchy acronyms, the stance and the phony dance.
Business today, contrary to its supposed intent of exchanging a sound product for an honest dollar, has become entertainment. A diversion, an aspiration, and a television show.
For how long, I wonder, has business been fashionable? Was business always fashionable and it was only me who hadn’t noticed?
For how long, I wonder, have self-important CEOs and money managers been vedettes—celebrities and icons? What, other than their ability to amass (and then blow) a fortune, makes them more important—more notable and more readable—than the workingman (and woman)?
How long ago did the pursuit of money, and nothing but the mere pursuit of money, become so admired? Something to talk about, something to broadcast and write about—in envious and respectful tones.
Why does the press, and the business press in particular, gush with glee over business rationalizations, business mergers and blockbuster buyouts? Do they know—really know—what that means? What it implies?
More importantly, though, what has all this fascination and emulation wrought? Ponzi schemes and fraud. Cooked books and sorrowful failure. Madoff and WorldComm. Nortel and GM.
It’s time, I believe, for a rethink.
It’s time to reframe what big business and big finance are supposed to be about.
Just as social media is redefining the dissemination of information, perhaps it, too, can reset the metrics of success.
Rather than obsess on the bottom line, business—and big business in particular—should keep only one eye on that. And the other on responsible customer care, responsible innovation and responsible governance. Rather than growing the business by buying out large competitors (and assuming ever-more debt), corporations should grow their social consciousness with responsible, empathetic action.
After all, is it a given that profits and social responsibility are mutually exclusive?
Only in the hearts and minds of big business, I fear.
Is it time for a change? Is it time to end big business’s seemingly contradictory attitude of narcissism (when they’re profitable) and entitlement (when they’re not)? Yes I believe it is.
Do I expect things to change? Maybe one tweet at a time…
Things are changing. Consumers are moving away from mass media fed culture to more interesting in small, unique business.
It’s just that big business still has to wrap it’s head around the Web 2.0 business model: value creation is not the same as wealth creation. Successful businesses create more value for their consumers in proportion to the wealth the acquire. And woe to the businesses that don’t create value or just assume customers will take whatever they put out. It’s now easier than ever for consumers to talk to each other (thing “United Breaks Guitars” on Youtube), and if a company screws up, everyone knows about it and spreads the word about the company.
I feel there is a slow movement going on where people are asking questions about their choices & considering more socially friendly alternatives.
Yes, I think (and I hope) that you’re right.
In fact, I wouldn’t be surprise if that is one of the (unexpected) benefits or social media — influencing businesses (including big business) to be more socially responsible.
Thanks for your comment