Copyright (c) 2012 Scott F Paradis
America is locked in a relentless struggle against a toxic, pervasive idea. The idea infects seemingly thoughtful, intelligent individuals ultimately setting those people and their organizations on a course to self-destruct. From boardroom to boardroom and business school to business school the contagion spreads. Influential people mistakenly buy into a caustic notion - a lie that at once undermines social trust, corrupts democratic politics, and destroys faith in free enterprise on an industrial scale. The ultimate boardroom lie: "Business exists for profit."
Profit as intended in the statement, "Business exists for profit," requires a fine distinction. Profit is not meant as a desire for mutual benefit or growth. It is not something altruistic or selfless. No, profit means revenue, return, income.
The mistaken belief is, that the purpose of trade is to achieve unilateral gain or selfish advantage - to make money, pure and simple. If it weren't for a few socially imposed rules, commerce from this perspective might just as well be crime. In a cutthroat society where economic ends (profit) justify means, everyone pays a price.
Symptoms of the infection are rampant. Look no further then the shenanigans of the financial industry and the folly of Wall Street; or the seemingly endless stream
Insanity: 60-day Total Body Conditioning Workout Dvd Program of nickel and dime charges and fees proposed by Fortune 500 conglomerates to drain customers at every turn. Leadership in American industry has increasingly succumb - the leaders worship first and foremost at the altar of profit. Instead of serving, instead of adding value, they seek
P90X2 to fleece the consumer and line their own pockets - regardless of consequence.
A commercial enterprise springs from an idea to solve a problem, meet a need, add value. It is the effort of a private individual or group seeking to create in response to a demand or want. Profit is a byproduct of success fulfilling needs and satisfying desires. Profit comes after giving, after generating value, after producing or providing something useful.
As a business grows and prospers it establishes and nourishes trust. The organization fine tunes its offerings and becomes more proficient, efficient and
Insanity Asylum Workout Complete DVDRip Tutorials effective meeting needs and fulfilling desires. Eventually, however, all thriving organizations are challenged - by competition from without
p90x sale or corruption from within. If the organization's leadership focuses on the
cheap p90x byproduct (profit) instead of the inspiring purpose (creating value) the company is doomed.
In a reality bent on expansion, growth and increasing worth - only individuals and organizations that add value survive and flourish. Fixating on accumulating profits switches on the self-destruct mode.
The misconception, that business exists for profit, is fueled by a dangerous combination of insatiable desire (a natural human condition) and unconstrained opportunity. Here is where success is the seed of its own demise. Without the moderating influence of a moral, collaborative social culture, competition and greed usurp the economic system. The result is always a cataclysmic end.
In a healthy society, business is
cheap insanity workout not about accumulating and amassing. Business is a mutually beneficial, culturally enhancing activity. Business helps people live well.
The purpose of commerce, economic exchange, trade is to add value - to solve problems - to meet needs. Commerce is a social compact, founded on common trust and collective self-interest.
If a corporate board member, a business school professor or a high placed public official suggests business is primarily about profit or is meant to earn a return for investors, suspicion is in order. Your moral fiber is about to be tested. People espousing the profit motive as the chief aim of business fail to grasp the tenets of human relations, the bedrock foundation upon which free enterprise rests.
American business over the last century has achieved extraordinary results. The United States has prospered spectacularly because of a dogged determination to solve problems and satisfy desires. The United States created prosperity by working in concert with the laws of nature. If America continues to propagate the ultimate boardroom lie, and attempts to work counter to the laws of nature, the future will not be so bright.
Don't propagate the lie. Don't let the infection spread. Focus on the right motive - to create value - in all business dealings. Choose the right path.
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Scott F. Paradis, author of "Promise and Potential: A Life of Wisdom, Courage, Strength and Will" publishes "Insights" available for free at
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