Who is free of value, is unscrupulous
Nestle CEO Mark Schneider was recently asked in an interview about Nestle's offer of high-quality food as dog food, for example duck with pumpkin, with the issue of how sustainable this is. His answer: "It is not for me to judge that. We offer the whole range and have to bow to such consumer wishes as well".
Do you really have to? Interesting.
What should I deduce from this? Would he also be prepared to offer drugs and weapons if he came to the conclusion that such consumer wishes exist? The answer would, of course, be a vehement and indignant No, and of course this comparison is completely out of place, but consequently ...
Whether this dog food is on this side or on the other side of a line: it doesn’t work when people say they don't judge it, or when companies write it on their corporate banner. This is neither realistic nor desirable, because if you have no values, then there are no values that you could compromise. But that is the prerequisite for having a conscience.
Those who do not value cannot have any scruples. And then it is not such a big step to an attitude that doesn't care about anything, as long as there is demand and profitability is high.
One cannot hide behind Luhmann with his postulate that a system is determined by exactly one guiding difference, because that is not enough. This leads to such shortcuts as "the point here is to earn money, we are not responsible for anything else".
Yes, we are, and that will not be less. The neighbour tortures his cat? It is not up to me to judge that? Well,...
A profound attitude, deeply rooted in humanism and spirituality, to which, for example, unconditional appreciation belongs, is perverted – and suddenly everything is completely unprofiled and smooth. But then I no longer know who you are, and you become scary to me.
I don't want any companies that don't value. The future belongs to companies that do so, and then make consistent decisions, even if they do without a possible profit. With increasingly flat, network-like, flexible organizational forms (no, I'm not saying the word...), people with civil courage, those who expose themselves and stand up for values, will have a strong voice in the future, within and outside organizations. This won't be any easier, but it will definitely be more vital, productive and creative, which is what all entrepreneurs want.
But if you want this B, you also have to say A. To refer to the market is fine, but it is not enough. There is also a market for slaves and a market for nonsense. Free competition? Sure, of course, but without blinkers. They are no good if you are not a horse. They may help to calm you down, but as a company you cannot afford tunnel vision.
Explore your values and the consequences they have for your work. This is much better than escaping to a noble hideout and playing Buddha.
Which argument is still missing? "If we don't make this business, someone else will!"
Yes, maybe. So what?
