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Q&A for "What's a Business For?" by Charles Handy

 The questions I’m answering in this blog post are related to the article “What’s a Business For?” written by Charles Handy

Based on what you read in the first two pages (pages 3 and 4), why are virtue and integrity so vital to an economy?

Companies underestimate how much the consumer depends on being able to trust companies. “Markets rely on rules and laws, but those rules and laws in turn depend on truth and trust. Conceal truth or erode trust, and the game becomes so unreliable that no one will want to play.” Consumers rely heavily on companies. They are not able to make for themselves everything they need, the things they can get at the store. Or they may not have the time or means to make things for themselves. But does this mean that companies can just willy-nilly take advantage of consumers? I don’t believe so. Companies should have the mindset of virtue and integrity, not just how much money they can make. I believe companies could have a great influence on our nation if they focused more on how they can better help the consumer instead of just getting his money.

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

According to Charles Handy, the “real justification” for business is for a business to make a profit and use that profit to do something more or better.

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

I agree with the solution of workweeks that have less than 40 hours, “long work is not necessarily good work…” The job my husband had before his current one, the work 40 hours but it was in 4 days, not 5. Now, the days where he worked for 10 hours was hard, but I loved having a three-day weekend every weekend. We had more time as a family, taking care of the home, and then time for worship. He found more relief having that extra day each week. I believe having the workweek cut down to 32 hours and 4 days would give everyone that relief in having more time for their other responsibilities and motivate them to use those 32 hours more wisely.

I also agree that employees should be paid some from the dividends and not just the shareholders. There would be no dividends if it weren’t for the employees; because they are the ones that make the company. Their skills, their duties, their manual labor are what make the company keep running, so the company to make any profit.  Of course, a company needs shareholders and employees, but oftentimes both positions are not treated the same. “It seems only fair that dividends be paid to those who contribute their skills as well as to those who have contributed their money.”

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