Only when businessmen think differently,
that doing business is to create more jobs, to contribute to the country by paying taxes, and to raise awareness of environmental protection can they be at the TOP. They are not at the TOP based on the asset value, but the moral values. They are truly the quiet heroes who have been devoting their entire life to supporting others.
DOING BUSINESS
Thành puts the petition for divorce down on the table and steps out to the balcony, lonely staring at the sky. When Thành was dating his wife, he lived in much hope of meeting his significant other and thought they would live together until they died. He never expected that their dreams would drift further and further away from each other. Now his wife has taken their child and her belongings to go elsewhere, leaving behind a petition for divorce to sign.
A few days ago, they quarreled with each other a lot about the up-coming project. She persistently stopped him from implementing the project. She argued that the profits they might get would be very low, even nothing. He tried his best to convince her of his plans. However, she wasn’t willing to listen and understand. Today, her final answer is the divorce paper on the table.
His assistants had analyzed the data, and concluded that his afforestation project would not be profitable from just harvesting wood sustainably and manufacturing furniture. This is because the waste treatment process, the salaries, the taxes, insurance and road building... would be too costly. It’s unthinkable to do business without earnings. His wife opposed this plan while Thành still wanted to proceed.
The reasons he gave were considered fanciful. He said:
“I don’t do business to get profits (everyone nearly fell down after hearing that). I have 3 goals: First, to create more jobs so that people can support their families. If more people have jobs, that means more families can live comfortably. Their success is our company’s success. Second, it is inevitable to produce waste in manufacturing, which is harmful to the environment (such as liquid waste, solid rubbish, gaseous waste, noise pollution...). Therefore, we are accountable to the process of waste treatment to keep the environment clean, and it’s also our morality. Only immoral people can ignore environmental issues. And third, as responsible citizens, we are happy to pay taxes as a way to contribute to our country. Without taxes, how can the government run the country?”
“Profits should be the last purpose. Our success is determined by the first 3 targets: creating jobs for others, protecting the environment, and paying all taxes. Then we can earn the remaining amount as profits. Not losing money is already good enough. As long as we can all live, work, have a chance to devote, that's enough. And profit is just the benefit of a few shareholders, which is not very important. I, like you, just need a few meals a day to eat, some clothes to wear, to be able to support our family. There is no need for me to accumulate my own wealth.”
Thành talked a lot about morality and apparently, his employees could understand nothing he said.
That night, the couple had a bitter quarrel until dawn. His wife could never accept a business without profits. On the contrary, she supposed their company should bring her more and more money.
Thành looked at her as if she was a stranger. When they were dating, she was a gentle girl, who greatly admired him for his kindness and noble philosophy. But, that sweet and intelligent girl had disappeared, and in her place, stood an ambitious boss who always tried to be in the Top Five or Top Ten Leading Business Women. Although they lived under the same roof, they seemed to have contradictory thoughts. Thành felt exhausted. He didn’t want to eat anything and went to Mr. Hải’s meditating house.
Many companies place the aim of protecting the environment at the bottom of their list. Profits come first, the life of their employees is of little importance. Profits come first, they must avoid taxes as much as possible. Profits come first, even patriotism can be considered later.
Very few people know that businessmen carry a noble mission on their shoulders. They not only run companies, but also create jobs for people to earn a living. They are the backbone of the community, supporting the whole society.
Generally, their motive is to get as much profit as possible. Because of profits/money, they try to work day and night, and attempt to achieve certain efficiency in their companies. Also for their personal interest, businessmen are highly responsible and accountable for their companies. Now if they have to take responsibility for protecting the environment and paying taxes while getting less profit, many will stop doing business and find other jobs.
Only when businessmen think differently, that doing business is to create more jobs, to contribute to the country by paying taxes, and to raise awareness of environmental protection can they be at the TOP. They are not at the TOP based on the asset value, but the moral values. They are truly the quiet heroes who have been devoting their entire life to supporting others.
Written by:
Janna
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