Week 11 – What can I do to make a difference?

I was so moved by the videos and readings this week. I cannot imagine that anyone could have listened to Elder Gay’s talk “Entrepreneurship and Consecration” and not been moved. I have had some struggles this semester, both personal and with my studies, but as I listened to the letter Elder Gay read, from the young woman in Darfur, I gave thanks for all that I have. She will never know how much her letter impacted my life, and changed my thought process, but I will be forever grateful to her, for sharing her story. I don’t want to trivialize what this young woman and her family went through, but her strength and faith are an inspiration to me and many others I am sure.

In Elder Holland’s talk “Are We Not All Beggars?” I learned more about giving of my excess to help others. Elder Holland reminds us that there is always something we can do to help another. It may not be financially, it may be through an act of service, a smile, or a prayer; but there is always something we can do. We just spoke about this topic in a meeting at church, and it was wonderful for me to hear what others did and do for each other each day, as they manifest the Savior’s Love for their fellow man. I think to myself, what more can I do. I struggle when I see someone holding a sign at an intersection, do I give them cash, or do I go and buy them a meal, how am I supposed to act in this situation. Elder Holland instructs us to do that which we are prompted to do; lately I have found myself offering a prayer for these people to know how I may best serve them.

We have been asked again this week to comment on one of our readings: “What’s a Business For?” by Charles Handy.

Question 1:

Based on what you read in the first two pages, why are virtue and integrity so vital to an economy?

It is my belief that in order for businesses to be successful, they must have honest business dealings. If the head of a company is only in it for himself, he has no concern for his employees, shareholders, or society. If we do not take care of our society we will begin to crumble and fail. By being dishonest in their dealings, either intentionally or unintentionally these leaders of business will ultimately be responsible for the collapse of society. We have to know they can be trusted, if we don’t trust them, we will not invest in their companies and growth will cease. People will horde their money, and less and less will be funneled back into the markets, thereby leading to their decline.

Question 2:

According to Charles Handy, what is the “real justification” for the existence of businesses?

Handy states that “The purpose of a business, in other words, is not to make a profit, full stop. It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better.”

Question 3:

What are two solutions proposed by Handy that you agree with? Why?

Employees should be treated as assets not expenses. I have worked for companies who have seen me only as a cost to the business. If for any reason productivity slowed, there were repercussions. It was a terrible environment to work in, and as a result, I became less and less productive. I also worked for a company who celebrated its employees. We were seen as the driving force behind the company’s success. Norman Brinker often said “happy employees are productive employees”, and I will agree with this.

Companies must take notice of the environment and their impact on it. We only have the one planet and if we keep abusing it, how long can we expect it to last. I feel it is important for companies to be proactive in this endeavor. If companies will look for ways to help the environment, we, the human race will be far more successful. We are to be stewards of our environment, not destroyers of it.