This tekst is also available on IL CAMBIAMENTO
A farmer needs rain and sunshine for his food to grow. He loves his job and wants to deliver a good product. It is also important for him to receive a good price for his products so he can fill his and his family’s stomachs. The same goes for a consumer. He wants to find a good product in the supermarket but is even more interested to pay the best price possible. In the middle of these is the entrepreneur who also wants what best for him; low prices for the products he buys, good gaining on that what he sells. Efficiency is the key word! How to leave everyone satisfied?
It wasn’t a long time ago when I read this lecture. A chief executive of a big international supermarket explains what they do to make the world a little bit better. He works at a company selling products all over the world. Therefore their influence on the worlds’ welfare and well-being could be enormous. That’s why it is so good to hear him talking about the effort his company makes to contribute to a better world.
After WW II the Western world was almost constantly in economic prosperity. Everything needed to be bigger, faster and better. Travelling became very easy and factories could produce all kinds of products easy and cheap. Most of us still life in this flow, but I guess we need to realize this growth will come to an end or at least needs to slow down.
The lecturer named above somehow understands something needs to change but he does not really understand what needs to change and, more important, how his company could contribute to this.
The lecturer named above somehow understands something needs to change but he does not really understand what needs to change and, more important, how his company could contribute to this.
For those who haven’t read the lecture yet, the chief executive explains that his company is trying hard to create jobs for those who need them, reduce transport distances and produce less waste. All kind of efforts we should appreciate. But to me it seems he is missing the other side of his story. The company sells local products to enable local producers to continue their businesses. By doing this they also reduce transport distances which has a good impact on the environment. As I said I cannot complain about these advantages. Thereby he gives the client an easy job. The client doesn’t have to make any effort to change his or her behavior. By the way, possible advantages for the producers aren’t named at all.
And maybe these last things are where I object. It should not be just one person or company deciding what is best for him and for others. People should become conscious themselves. They have to consider the consequences of their behavior. When one is able to understand what happens after we drinking too much alcohol (and then decides to stop drinking before getting drunk or to continue), why can’t the person think about the consequences of his shopping behavior?
I guess that if you want the world to be cleaner, more peaceful and happier you now have to check if your current behavior contributes to the preservation of this earth. You think that your influence as a single person is negligible? Of course it isn’t! Sure you can’t do it all by yourself (after all It takes two to tango)but you better be a good example and soon others will follow!
Want to know more about how to attract or be a follower? Check the TedTalk by Derek Sivers.
