Why is “profit” frowned upon by so many people?
Discussion
I’ve noticed, and I’m sure I’m not alone here, that when a British company is successful (Tesco, BP, or any other performing UK organisation) the media jump all over them – slating its level of profit. Conversely, when a company gets itself into trouble (Rover, Royal Mail, etc) and people get laid off, then the media are highly critical of its poor management. You simply can’t win in this country. Personally, I think it stems from “the politics of envy”.
As such, I’d like to pose this question to those who are highly critical of successful companies: If you have a private pension there’s a good chance that some of this may be tied into these successful organisations. Are you prepared to forfeit part of your pension in order to make a stand on principle?
The fact is many people are keen to make a stand with other people’s money but not their own. I noticed a thread about “making poverty history”. Surely it starts with their own back pocket. If someone’s giving, say, 10% of their income to charity then they have every right to demand that more is done. However, if someone’s doing nothing personally, then what right have they got to force other members of society to contribute more?
As such, I’d like to pose this question to those who are highly critical of successful companies: If you have a private pension there’s a good chance that some of this may be tied into these successful organisations. Are you prepared to forfeit part of your pension in order to make a stand on principle?
The fact is many people are keen to make a stand with other people’s money but not their own. I noticed a thread about “making poverty history”. Surely it starts with their own back pocket. If someone’s giving, say, 10% of their income to charity then they have every right to demand that more is done. However, if someone’s doing nothing personally, then what right have they got to force other members of society to contribute more?
Because people are hypocrites and secretly very, very greedy and don't like to admit their jealousy.
If someone has made money and been successful, it seems to be the perogative of grumpy types with catering-size bags of chips on each shoulder to pour scorn and derision on them, when in reality, they're trying to hide their jealousy.
That's about it!
If someone has made money and been successful, it seems to be the perogative of grumpy types with catering-size bags of chips on each shoulder to pour scorn and derision on them, when in reality, they're trying to hide their jealousy.
That's about it!
You are correct, for instance i think we should be proud of Tesco, as a company expanding abroad and doing well. However i can see how it would naturally concern people, as people assume that if companies make large profits then the workforce must be somehow compromised. In the case of Tesco i think people are concerned some suppliers are getting screwed over as Tesco squeeze their profit margins to practically zero.
Cheers,
Rob.
Cheers,
Rob.
Twincam16 said:
Because people are hypocrites and secretly very, very greedy and don't like to admit their jealousy.
If someone has made money and been successful, it seems to be the perogative of grumpy types with catering-size bags of chips on each shoulder to pour scorn and derision on them, when in reality, they're trying to hide their jealousy.
That's about it!
I concur with every syllable!
As Plotloss says 'jealousy' would be my guess.
As someone who works like mental, all the hours and makes a small profit I admire and applaud anyone who can make a good buck.
Many people are work shy and don't understand what it takes to earn a living...he says posting on PH at 4.41
This is one thing the Americans have got right, they DO encourage and respect success....I like that about them.
As someone who works like mental, all the hours and makes a small profit I admire and applaud anyone who can make a good buck.
Many people are work shy and don't understand what it takes to earn a living...he says posting on PH at 4.41
This is one thing the Americans have got right, they DO encourage and respect success....I like that about them.
Rob_F said:
You are correct, for instance i think we should be proud of Tesco, as a company expanding abroad and doing well. However i can see how it would naturally concern people, as people assume that if companies make large profits then the workforce must be somehow compromised. In the case of Tesco i think people are concerned some suppliers are getting screwed over as Tesco squeeze their profit margins to practically zero.
Cheers,
Rob.
And what's even more short-sighted of them is the simple fact that profits=developments=more jobs! In doing down companies like Tesco etc and willing their demise, the chip-on-shoulder brigade aren't realising how many jobs they're suggesting flushing down the drain.
I have to say though, I do have a gripe with Tescos and its not borne out of jealousy at all.
I just have a massive problem with a retailer owning the entire supply chain.
Anything else fine but with something as complicated as food production I just cannot see it being a good things. These economies of scale have to come from somewhere and its not trading on the back of quality produce thats for bloody sure.
I just have a massive problem with a retailer owning the entire supply chain.
Anything else fine but with something as complicated as food production I just cannot see it being a good things. These economies of scale have to come from somewhere and its not trading on the back of quality produce thats for bloody sure.
Hmm, i would tend to argue that not only is it a general tendancy towards jelousy, but also genuine concern.
There are lots of cases of large companies who have made massive profits, screwing over employees/people in the third world etc. Also people are concerned about the power these companies then yeild, many will have more of an effect on our lives then governments.
Cheers,
Rob.
There are lots of cases of large companies who have made massive profits, screwing over employees/people in the third world etc. Also people are concerned about the power these companies then yeild, many will have more of an effect on our lives then governments.
Cheers,
Rob.
Twincam16 said:
You are correct, for instance i think we should be proud of Tesco, as a company expanding abroad and doing well. However i can see how it would naturally concern people, as people assume that if companies make large profits then the workforce must be somehow compromised. In the case of Tesco i think people are concerned some suppliers are getting screwed over as Tesco squeeze their profit margins to practically zero.
Cheers,
Rob.
In doing down companies like Tesco etc and willing their demise, the chip-on-shoulder brigade aren't realising how many jobs they're suggesting flushing down the drain.
This, and the fact that it is solely the choice of the people who buy the products and services from these organisations.
Don't like them making profit? Don't buy from them then!
Plotloss said:
I have to say though, I do have a gripe with Tescos and its not borne out of jealousy at all.
I just have a massive problem with a retailer owning the entire supply chain.
Anything else fine but with something as complicated as food production I just cannot see it being a good things. These economies of scale have to come from somewhere and its not trading on the back of quality produce thats for bloody sure.
That's the whole point of a market economy - it's like a self-regulating valve. If a company starts to abuse its suppliers/customers/employees, this generates a poor reputation which will effect peoples' buying choices. The last thing that the MD of Tesco (or any other succesful company) wants is to develop a poor reputation, because this will effect his customers' attitude towards the brand.
Indeed and thats fine given that the consumer is empowered with all the information with which to make an informed decision.
However this is a VERY grey area when it comes to food because of the complex legislation.
For example if something is grown without chemical fertiliser it can be claimed as organic. The seed from which it is grown however can be treated with anything, sometimes even illegal in the UK, chemicals.
This is why, if pushed Tesco and Sainsbury cannot guarantee that what they sell as organic is actually organic with 100% accuracy.
But of course they dont empower you with that information because you would walk...
However this is a VERY grey area when it comes to food because of the complex legislation.
For example if something is grown without chemical fertiliser it can be claimed as organic. The seed from which it is grown however can be treated with anything, sometimes even illegal in the UK, chemicals.
This is why, if pushed Tesco and Sainsbury cannot guarantee that what they sell as organic is actually organic with 100% accuracy.
But of course they dont empower you with that information because you would walk...
I am afraid that you are all right. To take the examples given, BP and Tesco, we hear the headline figures but little about the background. The news media like to put a spin on it and low-and-behold they create a story.
Tesco for example is a shining example of how to run a retail business. They pioneered many techniques which are now used by all of the others - and reduced prices! Tesco isnt necessarily a new company, but were shrewd enough to buy up the smaller stores and brands from struggling companies - anyone remember Hintons?
BP on the other hand is a company which has done exceedingly well through planning, innovation and quite a bit of risk. They went to Russia when everyone said it was daft - now look at them? Lord Browne and Putin signing investment deals for huge gas and oil deposits in untapped areas of Russia.... huge risk, but boy has it paid off.....
But, in the end the media twist this into profiteering and "rip-off britain". Its a shame that "making a profit" is seen as a crime. Without profits there would be no investment, no stable companies, virtually no investment market, pensions would be no-existant and the whole country would be worse off....
Tesco for example is a shining example of how to run a retail business. They pioneered many techniques which are now used by all of the others - and reduced prices! Tesco isnt necessarily a new company, but were shrewd enough to buy up the smaller stores and brands from struggling companies - anyone remember Hintons?
BP on the other hand is a company which has done exceedingly well through planning, innovation and quite a bit of risk. They went to Russia when everyone said it was daft - now look at them? Lord Browne and Putin signing investment deals for huge gas and oil deposits in untapped areas of Russia.... huge risk, but boy has it paid off.....
But, in the end the media twist this into profiteering and "rip-off britain". Its a shame that "making a profit" is seen as a crime. Without profits there would be no investment, no stable companies, virtually no investment market, pensions would be no-existant and the whole country would be worse off....
Twincam16 said:
Because people are hypocrites and secretly very, very greedy and don't like to admit their jealousy.
Too true. In principle I don't drive my 993 to site as I can't be bothered with the contractor's snide comments. Last week owing to the fact that the 205 was off the road and the two meetings were miles apart I had no option as I would never had made it by train.
On both occasions I parked miles away from site but due to a train being cancelled I had to give a contractor a lift back into London.
The first half hour grilling on how I could afford to run a Porsche was tollerable but when she made snide comments about reviewing my fee I couldn't help but mention the large f
g rock she had on her finger and the fact that she has 4 foreign holidays a year. It really gets on my man boobs when people knock those who struggle and eventually do well for themselves
Bizarrely, the Murdoch (and similar) media empires who are so quick to twist the proverbial knife with a sensational story about "the very high profits of company XXXXXX" are themselves highly profitable organisations. On the one hand, Murdoch (and the like) will have a "shock horror profit" headline. But anything less for his empire wouldn't be tolerated. The amazing this is though, people still buy these newspapers despite the unambiguous hypocrisy.
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff