For All The Right Reasons

Prudence means to discern the good and achieve it. It means right reason in action. Put your services and special gifts at the service of all - governments, firms and individuals. It does no good to bear grudges. Better to adopt a moral life that rejects such vices. It helps that teachers communicate the genuine message. Emphasis should be on teaching and defending the genuine message in order to help prevent creating a buyers and sellers robber's den. Better for the economy. If that means persecution it should be faced realistically, not necessarily confrontationally. Suffering and exploitation should also be confronted. It is a mandate we can respect or reject.

Homes for the Homeless

People are regenerated by good rational arguments, reliable and valid research and can apply the teachings in confidence. We can listen to the 'word' and come out of the darkness of old ways of capitalism and communism and into the light applying ethical principles of moral management, social responsibility and corporate governance. It is like a transition from an old economics into a new economic system. It might create a new 'home' for many people around the world. Many however will not listen. Some will actively seek out a change agent who can help them through the process. The potential is for a transformational change though the level of attainment will depend on many factors that vary from one case to another. There will be the vested interests who oppose such changes. Good faith and reason should see them off. People can be very stubborn and slow to change or even accept change when it happens. They remain unaffected by things. We do make an impact and we have a responsibility to those who are affected.

Waiting on Tables

If anyone asks you to make them rich and powerful say No or ask for help. They may also ask for growth or economic miracles, want to be like someone else. We cannot do it. It comes at a price. The price is too high. They want a share in our knowledge and like anything else there is a market for it. It has lasting value. Others may also become indignant at the request. Justifiably so! Top executives give themselves pay rises above inflation and massive bonuses and their wages stay the same while others are laid off, capitalists run sweatshops in developing countries and at home people still work for poor pay in poor conditions. They have the raw power to do it. How much do they want? Those with the power should in fact be putting it at the service of all. Expert power should not be abused or misused. It would be better used to serve those who need it most, like setting captives free, liberating those in psychological slavery. The efforts of one 'expert' person may do more to transform lives than many people with power and wealth cannot do together.

Learning and Innovation

Continuous innovation for new product development helps to achieve strategic objectives, keeps the portfolio fresh, responds to changing consumer tastes which in turn keeps them interested. It keeps sales up and helps stay ahead of the competition. It is also driven by new technology. The pressures to change make it necessary. Researchers study and investigate the possibilities not so much for themselves but also to a greater and greater degree for future generations. Innovators and academics are always delivering the message of new developments as they arise and the difference they can make in terms of better performance, products, processes, self-expression, development and growth. Problems identified from the ignorance of earlier times and through personal lived experience prompt sustainable development that will not repeat the errors of the past. We are constantly called to leave old ways that do not work and embark on new ways that do.

Marketing Virtues

Mutual relations in the business community and the consumer market are maintained and helped by showing good faith in honouring contracts and having a customer focus. Even when it is difficult we have to look to our virtues of endurance and patience in the hope that eventually we will be providentially delivered. Alternatively we can rely on the Stoic virtue of self-sufficiency. They include the kind of relational situations with which many people will be familiar though the events and experiences may vary from case to case. We must be considerate, kind and understanding to maintain harmony and avoid controversy and any judgements going against us. The potential is that paradigmatic bundle of relations through a process of ethical business practice and behaviour and social responsibility will lead to exchange justice, economic progress and equitable equilibrium in the markets.

Employee Relations, Wages and Quality of Life

It is often said that our people are our greatest asset. Good people should be allowed the fruits of their labour. People who stand in the way must not be encouraged or supported. Withdrawing or witholding the wages of labour or otherwise defrauding workers must be denounced. The treatment of workers has been an important theme since ancient times. Remember Moses seeking liberation for his people. To take someone's livelihood is like taking their life. Wages or salaries or whatever must not be left to the laws of the market or arbirary decisions. They must be agreed according to principles of justice and equity. They must provide for the necessities of the worker and his/her family. Work is personal and necessary and usually their sole means of livelihood. In the interests of social and distributive justice workers should be able to bargain for the wages their services have warranted. It should be a social wage. Available resources vary from one country to another and within countries over time but everyone should receive their share of the common stock. It befits human dignity. The great wealth of the few stands in 'violent, offensive contrast' to the abject poverty of the many around the world. The national minimum wage is a step in the right direction. There was a lot of rhetoric about it when it was being mooted. It can be argued that governments should not be allowed to determine the level or for how long. It was decided on and now it is expected though a lot of employers still flout it. The just wage is part of the process of social and economic progress. We should be the 'salt of the earth' to people, agents of hospitality and friendship, giving encouragement and opportunity especially to those who have special gifts to offer. Society is worse off if sections of the community are excluded because a new paradigm leaves them out. It does not make the world a better place, it makes it worse. The excessive indulgences of the rich only make them vulnerable. On the question of quality of life or economic growth we should give more consideration to the quality of life.

Do The Right Thing

Some people find it easy to take time out, go somewhere nice, start a business and make some money. Even more people would like to but can't. It could be oppressive to many people, it looks proud and presumptious. They seem very sure of themselves. Something may go wrong, the wind might change and their plans come to nothing. Situations like that have a kind of fragility and transitoriness they should guard against. We sometimes have a false sense of security. There are things we can do to prevent disaster happening. If we know the right thing to do, we should do it.

We should be open and tolerant to people and ideas different to our own. We should be open to and tolerant of change. If someone can help, even if they are strange or new to us we should be prepared to accept them for what they are and what they can do for us, provided they 'at least do no harm'. Tolerance is better than exclusivity. It leaves us open to innovation and new business, change and development in business, work, life and hermeneutics. After all there are people out there who are willing to take a risk to make some money.

(Also posted on http://uk.360.yahoo.com/stuartkirk2001