Comments on: Man Versus Business – Can’t We Coexist?

By: Jared Matthew Kessler

Jared Matthew Kessler — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 20:33:18 +0000

Hey Mark… some good points.

It’s tough for some – morals versus survival. It also raises some interesting points. Who is to blame? The employer for setting these conditions… or the people that don’t speak up (for fear of losing their job) and just continue to work in them?

By: Mark Davis

Mark Davis — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:02:50 +0000

I’ve not found an employer yet who prioritized people over profits. Perhaps that’s why they were making money? Or, perhaps they were making money in spite of this fact? I wrestle with this issue. But, for the businesses who honestly couldn’t care less about their employees, there are plenty of people simply willing to work in any condition nowadays. Yes, they’ll complain, but they’ll keep going back. Gotta have the bucks, gotta survive. Options are extremely limited currently. Plus, did the Sea World audience complain about the park being open the day after this tragedy? Probably not. The money kept moving, as it always does.

By: Jared Matthew Kessler

Jared Matthew Kessler — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:46:11 +0000

Brian… very well said. I TRULY hope those that need to hear what you said, find their way to this.

By: Brian Coe

Brian Coe — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:38:35 +0000

Jared, I can see the idealist coming out in you, it’s great! Personally, I can’t see how business and people can do without each other seeing how business is a creative product of humans. Of course, each incident needs to take into consideration all of the relevant factors affecting a case, but in general I believe that business today does not consider the human side of things enough. The human element too often goes underappreciated.

Modern capitalism requires too much focus on the bottom line. Instead of seeing their goal as providing a service to humanity, business is too often focused on the money they can make from their service. First money, then service (despite what the orientation materials and employee training seminars are saying). I believe this is hardly controversial and merely an objective observation.

This will change, and is changing, when people begin to want more for themselves and demand it from business- more respect, more consideration, among other things. If business can’t change then those of us who will not allow ourselves to work in any type of disrespectful situation will find others ways to live, independent of this type of relationship.

Since business needs people, business will have to change as we change.

By: Jared Matthew Kessler

Jared Matthew Kessler — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:23:40 +0000

Hey Winnie, I think that is a great point you made. That is why I wanted to talk about this – I think it’s an important theme to discuss for the future of a lot of businesses (especially ones in the US).