What’s that Smell?

I am sure anyone that has ever purchased potatoes has had this experience: There is an awful smell in the kitchen, but the problem is elusive. Finally your nose directs you to where your potato bag lies, and one of them has spoiled. When that has happened to me, I toss out the whole bag.

In “The Harvard Business Review” What’s a Business For? Author Charles Handy makes a similar analogy using apples. He says that “the markets would eventually sort the good from the bad… the world would go on much as before.” This happens less all the time.

There’s something stinky in the business community.

Integrity and virtue have become rare commodities. “Markets rely on rules and laws, but those rules and laws in turn depend on truth and trust. Conceal truth or erode trust, and the game becomes so unreliable that no one will want to play.” Handy has a point. In order for our system of free enterprise to continue, virtue and integrity must be at the center of every transaction. This would allow businesses to fulfill their true callings—making a difference in the world.

Yes, earning a profit is important, but it’s not everything. Funny thing about business--when an entrepreneur sets out to help someone or solve a problem instead of looking to make it rich, the business becomes successful, and the owner can become wealthy. It kind of reminds me of the principle of service; in serving others, we forget about our own problems.

Maybe there was some Greek businessman whom we could name an oath after (think Hippocrates). Businessmen would have to swear under threat of death (well, maybe not DEATH) to “first do no harm.” That might make one think twice before doing anything illegal or immoral. I like the idea of giving the “worker” more ownership in the business similar to what Germany has done. It would give the common laborer a little more pride and remind CEOs they don’t necessarily own the company.

There’s always the “drain the swamp” idea. Man, those stink, too. Hey, if it works for politics…