One of the primary focuses of business is to generate wealth.
From the idea conception to research, to raising start-up capital, implementing and realizing a business vision, and constructing and establishing a successful business is not easy. At the center of such ventures are self-driven risk-takers who often sacrifice big time, energy, and resources to reach their objectives. These courageous dreamers go to lengths to find solutions, create and innovate ways to do things faster, more efficiently, and with enormous dividends for end users.
And after years of hard work and confronting daunting challenges and variables which they cannot control by themselves, it brings great joy and blessing for the entrepreneur when business profits and cash flow become stable and constant.
At this point, it is almost impossible for a business owner not to take credit, not to rejoice, and not do everything to secure and jealously guard the gains.
At this same point, to speak of giving or 'dishing' out funds to contribute to various charitable, governmental, or civic causes may constitute a provocation. Such requests encounter resistance from the business owner.
A perceptive or wise entrepreneur will not lose sight of the role that these sectors of society play in guaranteeing their business's very security.
A business thrives where there are relatively constant guarantees of social stability.
The political environment of a country can make or break a business. Therefore the successful entrepreneur must read the political climate and atmosphere in which business functions. Investment contracts and projections are often directly linked to the very environment within which a business operates.
In many countries, invitations from Government and Non Governmental organizations to attend fund-raising activities can exert considerable pressure on the entrepreneur's mood and psyche.
These public and private events may act as an opportunity for social visibility for a business person but may sometimes come at a higher price than the business can afford.
So, like or not, the sheer social-pressure of a cause to spend on 'charitable' objectives as the contributors and catalysts to social change in a Nation, no matter how good, may not be as welcome to Business people, as the Public images may suggest, in TV News Journals, Documentaries or Magazines.
And yet, despite any feelings that many Patrons of profitable organizations may harbor about making contributions to society, Governments do their best to entice contributions from the moguls and wealth gurus through Tax "Incentives" and Public Tenders, for example.
In some countries, where the gap between the rich and the poor is extreme, you may hear empty threats by the poor about a coming day of rebellion and revenge against the rich. They often appear to be waiting for an opportune time to vent their frustrations upon the wealthy.
The poor may hold the view that the rich:
- have exploited them and their resources.
- are wicked
- do not want to share their wealth.
- are selfish and do not care about others
- are too proud and arrogant.
And so the dissatisfied poor are waiting for the day when their frustrations would peak during unsettled periods of political elections, or in times of local 'ethnic' or 'religious' tensions, to ignite civil unrest and even civil war. During these seasons of civil upheaval, the poor and despised amongst the nations will make a beeline for the homes or businesses of the perceived privileged wealthy (in the business community or the Government). The economically productive segments of society become easy prey to the sizeable low-income labor force in times of social unrest.
A wise business person should read the times and seasons of politics and accurately interpret the frustrations of the majority poor and do something about their situation.
When one listens carefully, one can hear the cries of the youth, for example. Their constant appeals for a good education, employment, healthy and hygienic living conditions, and general recognition and respect are pretty much the same in nearly every country. The businessperson must understand and relate to what is going on at the bottom of the social ladder.
The Wealthy Businessman must not merely be sensitive to what is going on within society's rank and file. Still, he must be ready to do something about the people's plight and appropriately address some of the felt needs. They must not bribe the police to intimidate and silence the voices of protest. No, they must ensure that organizations, who are usually community-centric and supplement Government efforts, like Charitable Health and Community Help Organizations, are adequately provided to help reduce social pressure and frustrations in a controlled manner.
The relationship between Government, Non-Governmental, and Business Sectors of a National Economy must be so fair and balanced that the Social Temperature is stable and well-controlled. The business community or persons should consider peace as a business resource or asset. And peace comes at a price.
Check this out: https://youtu.be/Dx2j9-xN54E
In a particular country, an extremely wealthy director of a cell phone company was approached and challenged to build standard and affordable homes for young couples. He was encouraged to consider that his company could act as a social radiator to cool down the palpable tension that was brewing hot in the country. His response flat out was that this was not his company's responsibility. He could not perceive the connection between his company's stability and prosperity and the social stability of his business environment. His eyes were focused upon his financial graphs' upward arrows and not upon the same community's conditions, which could guarantee a continued stable atmosphere for his business.
You see, many people have seen the impact of national instability. They have seen the humiliation of businesspeople in times of rebellion. They have witnessed the destruction and bankruptcy of entire life investments in just a few minutes of conflagrations, started by mob-inspired dynamics, during social unrest.
Your business can positively impact your community. And you need to continually remember that the factors that help to perpetuate your prosperity are usually that portion of society that pays returns for your investments, in blood, sweat, and many tears, to enable your business to thrive. Therefore, it is only conscionable to make efforts to target annual or periodic contributions to help guarantee a stable future atmosphere for business.
Check this out: https://youtu.be/AYnvz8_o9H0
As mentioned earlier, the beautiful thing is that your business does not necessarily have to be the one responsible for getting its hands into the down and dirty work. However, this may be laudable and highly commendable. Many other organizations have mastered the art of creating and maintaining the social satisfaction of the masses. By building excellent links and public relations with such charitable and critical institutions and entities, you may well find that your investment may last to prosper for many more years, doing profitable business in peace.
Always remember. A Good Business can be a Good Social Radiator. Business and social benefits are mutual or win-win.