Becoming a Change-Maker

“It is… time to ask ourselves the most fundamental of questions:

"What's a Business For?"

 

                    Why are virtue and integrity so vital to an economy?

Virtue and integrity are important for the economy because the economy is based on values such as ethics and trust within their companies. Charles Handy states, "Markets rely on rules and laws, but those rules and laws, in turn, depend on truth and trust." Trust among business people is a fundamental pillar since if that trust is broken it will never be recovered.

        According to Charles Handy, what is the “real justification” for                                                     the existence of businesses?

Charles Handy states: “The purpose of a business, in other words, is not to make a profit, full stop. It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better. That “something” becomes the REAL JUSTIFICATION for the business… “I think many people assume, wrongly, that a company exists simply to make money. While this is an important result of a company’s existence we have to go deeper and find the real reasons for our being.

We inevitably come to the conclusion that a group of people get together and exist as an institution that we call a company so that they are able to accomplish something collectively that they could not accomplish separately they make a contribution to society, a phrase which sounds trite but is fundamental.

The contribution ethic has always been a strong motivating force.”

 

“To survive, even to prosper, is not enough”.

                                                                                                                  

·         What are the solutions proposed by Handy that you agree with? Why?

 The solutions that the writer proposes are: creating new products, spreading technology and raising productivity, enhancing quality, and improving service. To measure success in terms of outcomes for others as well as for ourselves. The driving force is the need to serve neglected consumers. I agree with your proposals since the success of our business is found when we are able to satisfy the needs of others and that is where our focus lies and not on obtaining profits or wealth through them. Being able to offer services that improve their lives.