Articles

 

Love in Life ... Love in Business ..

by Ramiah

Co-Operation NOT Competition is the dirving force

of Business in this new millennium.

Competition Policy and Free Market Forces have long been touted by Governments and Big Business as the means to making a leaner, more efficient economy. They subtly manipulate this paradigm and tell us Competition Policy is good, but they do this as a means of to ultimately gaining more control over markets and voters.

Recent memorable outcomes of competition policy are One-Tel and Ansett. Competition in the banking sector (introduced in the 1980s) was supposed to bring better, cheaper banking services. Instead we continually pay higher fees as the banks continue to please shareholders rather than customers. Competition in business has only three benefits: multiple cultures and avenues for creativity and innovation, increased employment (but at extra cost to the economy and environment) and (in the short term at the most) a means of driving prices to a practical level.

Competition will ultimately deliver a Monopoly or Duopoly as the major players (the companies with the majority market share and resources) take-over and envelop smaller players, then combine their resources by merging with other companies to become the largest monolith in the business. Now competition does not matter and they can charge whatever they want, eg. Telstra, NAB, etc.

Competition is ONLY required because of the existence of greed and ego in management and displays their inability to ethically motivate staff. A company is not only for making profit, a company is a means of people expressing their creativity through their work, thus creating a lifestyle that is sustainable and rewarding. If companies exist for any other reason, it must be at the expense of others, which is a symptom of ego.

For example, if companies used their intelligence and best known practice, came from giving and cared for the community and the planet, we would only need one brand of washing powder on the supermarket shelf, with a couple of different options to service the needs of different situations and demographics. We would only need one incredibly efficient factory on each continent making the best and cheapest product, distributing worldwide. This is not communism; this is love in business without politics.

The key is: This one company must let go of ego and greed, utilise the most efficient methods, technology and people, and charge a price for their product that would guarantee continued distribution, employment, lifestyle and planet sustainability. Sounds fairyland doesn’t it – but we claim to be a Christian society and aren’t these the attributes Jesus taught.

Yes, there would be less people working. But how many people do you know who are actually enjoying their work or are using work to fulfil a remote lack or need in their life? Millions of people around the world are caught in dead-end jobs where they are stuffing components into boxes, every working day – year after year, until they retire or are retrenched.

If a person is at peace within, and lives a life of compassion and giving, a job is not really needed to bring out the best. Every person who does not have employment can work on his/her own piece of land growing food and living in a sustainable manner, selling surplus goods to those who work in business, industry, etc. They could serve the planet and other people who work to provide low cost items they may need. The fact that there are actually about 12 different brands of washing powders exhibits gross inefficiencies as management, accounting, distribution, operating staff, etc are all duplicated up to 12 times. Add to this the price the planet pays for the additional pollution of production and transportation of the staff and products.

The truth is that one company probably makes about 6 of the different brands. For example, Email (whitegoods) has run down one assembly line, Westinghouse, Kelvinator, Metters, Simpson, Frigidaire and Electrolux products. Customers think they have choice, but really they only have different trim. This demonstrates the Monopoly mentioned earlier.

Co-operation Not Competition

This millennium is the era of change. If we change our ways and co-operate with others in business (rather than striving to defeat them) our lives will be much simpler, richer, enjoyable and profitable.

The 2000s are about win, win, win, win. In every transaction; the company should win, the supplier should win, the employees should win and the customer should win. If someone loses, this means someone along this chain is coming from ego. If someone loses, there will be a price to pay by the server of the loss (as well). The 2000s are years of instant karma.

When you give and share generously in business: 1 + 1 = 3+. This is not about science and mathematics; it is about reality – love. If you give more than others expect, they will ultimately return business through referrals, loyalty, assistance, honesty, etc. Everybody with whom you conduct business should become your friend, not for business sake, but for love sake. Because you want to help them, not sell them. Selling is a by-product of friendship, trust and love.

Sure this suggestion seems Utopian, but everyone (whether they know it or not) creates his or her own reality (their own world). For one person (you) to make change in this direction means the world is about to change for that person (you). The 3rd dimensional world only exists because we (as individuals) see, hear, taste, feel and smell it. If not for each individual, the 3rd dimensional world would not exist; therefore we are the masters who can change our world. Our world initially, the whole world eventually.

Albert Einstein said words to the affect, “the condition of the operator will effect the experiment.” In a nutshell, this means your attitude will have a determining effect in whatever you do. Quantum physics has since shown this to be true.

The huge multi-nationals with bank balances larger than most countries will probably always exist, but if you choose to do business with a friend who supports you, the multi-nationals will lose business and ultimately that is their main concern because that will affect their profit and this will not please their shareholders – thus requiring change.

Be at peace in business. If you are working in a place that does not support you, make plans to leave and do something you enjoy, or start your own business based on your supporting interests. Start giving love and appreciating your situation and other people around you … all day, every day.

What we are currently doing, is not working – look around – change is needed.

Question everything, seek balance and stay open.

Love in Life … Love in Business …

Pentaya JP (Qual.) ~ Editor