Win-Win

Many people believe businesses are by their very nature corrupt and seek only to dominate their markets and dupe their customers, suppliers, employees, and any other stake holders out of their money.  This view is fueled by the class warfare mentality fostered by our "leaders", fanned by popular culture and the media, and thereby widely accepted as the truth by the masses.

Sure, there are employees, leaders and owners of business that rip people off, exploit the ignorance of their employees and customers, and make gobs of money doing so.  They should, and must, be rooted out, taken to task, and removed from positions where they can carry out such plans.  My twenty years experience in the business world has shown me something different, though. 

By far the vast majority of the people in business I've encountered- from the line employees to their managers, to the CEOs I worked with in my accounting career- were hard working, decent people who had a vision they strove to create in the world through their work whether they owned the business or worked it for someone else. 

I firmly, resolutely believe the idea of "win-win" business transactions is not merely a Donald Trump-esque slogan, nor is it a myth; it is a fact.  I've conducted myself and my businesses on that premise my entire working career and know I am not alone in this view.  This is true of real estate and mortgage professionals, certainly, and much, much more.  Auto repair shops, restaurants, grocery stores, any where we buy any thing or receive any service.  These businesses are all around us right now.  It isn't hard to find them, one need only look around, ask their family and friends where they have received fair treatment, and go there to do business.

As consumers we owe it to ouselves to seek out business such as these and become their loyal patrons.  We must also consistently, almost religiously introduce these businesses to our families, our friends, our co-workers, and anyone else in our lives who are important to us.  In doing so, we can bring tremendous, world-changing power to bear.  The power of the free market.

When businesses that insist on the "win-win" mindset of ethical dealing and an oustanding experience for customers, employees, and other stake holders become more successful we all benefit.  We punish those who do not share these values where it hurts them the most- the pocketbook.  Refuse to reward businesses you know act unethically, or those that treat their employees and/or customers unfairly.  A cheap price is nice, but at what cost?  You can find great value in other, better run businesses. 

It's been said you can change your thoughts and change the world.  The same is true of changing your buying habits.