Ethics, People and Reputation – or money?

The callousness displayed and the venal attitude of the international apparel companies that use the Bangladeshi sweat-shops to produce their goods is almost beyond belief. I say “almost” because when money is involved most people, most companies and most organisations, will do almost anything to keep the profits rolling in; companies will do almost anything to maintain the value of their shares. Now, only now, after hundreds have died are they worried about their business ethics and their reputations! I say, “What ethics and what reputations?”

Loblaw, Benetton, Primark and many other clothing companies are now apparently prepared to compensate victims of the South Asian country's worst industrial accident. Is this supposed to earn them “brownie points” and be a salve for their conscience?

It is to be hoped that the many other companies that sell low cost clothing manufactured in Bangladesh will revise their manuals on ethical business practice and only buy their products from companies that not only pay reasonable wages but also ensure the workers employed have a safe environment.

As has been stressed in these posts time and time again – apparently to deaf ears – commerce and industry is, without exception, in business to SERVE people, that is people such as you and I. It is people who buy or use the products no matter what the product is – coal, chip-board, iron ore, satellites, paint brushes, robots, clothing or whatever – the end users are always and only people. And people are involved in the process of manufacture – always and only people. And it is the labour of people which creates money and wealth – always and only people.

It is NOT the “economy” that is paramount – it is people who are paramount - always and only people. Without people there would be no money, no business and no “economy”. It should therefore be obvious to any thinking person that if any company wants people to buy their products they need to provide a SERVICE that satisfies people, their customers. It is only customers, only people, who will buy (with money) what they are selling – always and only people. Reputations depend on people – always and only people.

It is unfortunate that this has to be repeated again and again - provide a good service and people will return and spread the word about the SERVICE. Money and wealth always follow SERVICE, never the other way around – service will never follow money. And a SERVICE can only be provided by people to people – always and only people. A good reputation will develop only as a result of service to people – always and only people.

It is therefore obvious that people, all people, should be cared for – because it is people, you and I, who are labourers, workers and customers. This is the ethical way. By being ethical, in all dealings, such unfortunate events as occurred in Bangladesh would possibly have been avoided or at least ameliorated.

Never forget that the “law” of cause and effect will always apply. This “law” is unwritten and not codified but applies in every situation – it cannot be avoided and is forgotten or ignored only at great cost. This law incorporates the profoundly realistic doctrines of “Hubris” and “Nemesis”. Whenever there is any kind of over-weening and excess; whenever people or societies go too far either in dominating others or exploiting them, or exploiting nature, for their own advantage this unseemly exhibition of pride has to be paid for. Hubris seems to invite Nemesis and the “Goddess” Nemesis is implacable in the pursuit of her cause, to track every wrong back to its doer. The old saying applies to all – “pride comes before a fall” and no one can foretell what the effects of this “fall” will be.

I repeat what has been said countless time over the centuries – “always treat others the way you would like to be treated”.  There is no other viable option.

What is so difficult to understand about this?