This diary yesterday from Matt Stoller at MyDD got me thinking about business values. He was talking about how the head of the national Chamber of Commerce was caught-up in an insider stock situation. I think this fits in with the general stereotype of business people – they are solely about money and will do anything to make it if they can get away with it.
I think the general stereotype of business school values is it inculcates a pure profit/money approach in students. In other words, it stresses the bottom line. In addition, I think the general perception of business leaders in general is they are driven either solely or predominantly by the bottom line. In other words, most people think business leaders and executives are all about making profit at all costs.
All of the above are essentially what I think the stereotypes are. So – all of this got me thinking a little bit further: What are progressive business values? If we think that Republicans promote values x and y, than progressives have to promote a viable alternative. So, here are some of the values I think progressive business leaders should act on. This list is far from exhaustive; please add your own.
Treating employees fairly: There are a ton of little sub-parts too this idea. I would include: no glass ceiling for any demographic group; equal pay for equal work; a pay-scale that allows employees to live decently; a limit on the difference between executives and employees pay; sharing the burden of benefits equitably (think health insurance; flexible hours for employees with families.
Good community citizens: Again, there are a ton of ideas here, but here are a few: promote employee activity at the community level; sponsorship of a variety of community activities; seek to improve the quality of life in the community; make a commitment to better the community.
Environmental consideration: In no particular order – non-polluting. If they are involved in a business where waste does occur, they deal with it responsibly. Following government regulations. They don’t seek to have regulatory hurdles lowered through political connections; involvement in a business that seeks to improve the environmental quality of life.
So – what are some other business values we should be promoting?
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