Tonight I watched a short video clip about what role that business's should play in solving some of the problems that the world is facing as we move into the future. It was very interesting because it made me think about what obligations a business might have beyond selling goods and services for a profit. The clip focused on a group called Tomorrow's Leaders, this group of businesspeople are shaping their business strategies looking for ways to address some of the social and economic issues facing much of the world's population, while at the same time making a money for their companies.
The two issues that the video examined were the lack of clean drinking water that is a problem for billions of people in the world, and a declining environment. By approaching these problems as tremendous growth opportunities for their companies, this group has taken a positive approach and started to create a model that other businesses can follow in the future. Of course, one of the biggest challenges these businesses face is finding an efficient distribution method when working in underdeveloped parts of the world. Right now they're forced to work through government programs and relief agencies because of the expense.
As we move into the future, the hope would be that these programs can be self sustaining so that they don't have to depend on contributions or the local tax base for support. It was very interesting to consider how making profits and dealing with social issues, two things that seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum, can actually be pursued at the same time. Let's hope that this type of approach catches on in the future. We certainly have enough "opportunities" facing us. DB
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Remember the case study in our last class? It involved the ethical dilemma of a sales person 'buying' their own bonus by helping an impoverished school. Now, we have this video that shows how businesses can not only make a difference but also be profitable and enrich their stakeholders. Is it wrong to make a profit from helping the poor?
hr guy.
I don't see why helping the poor and making a profit have to be mutually exclusive.
If a private business or individual benefits at the same time that someone in need receives help, what could be wrong with that? Nobody is being harmed, and in fact both both parties are receiving a benefit.
Although the motivation for the business or individual might be purely selfish, if the result is that someone in need is helped then isn't that better than someone who has altruistic motivations but doesn't have the means to be helpful?
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