Let me get this straight. In my viewpoint, a Socially Responsible practice is the product of Ethics in the Business world. Therefore, with the absence of Ethics, a profitable business is not a sustainable business.
BUT --- Ethics is fast fading in today’s business society. And this is an alarming predicament that can jeopardize not only the dignity of an individual but the business in general. It can even worsen if it’s not rectified due to a trivial purpose.
Having said this, whether an individual or an institution is accountable or not, keeping a blind eye and washing of hands are always the best comfort zones to excuse one’s self from “Doing the Right Thing”. You will ask, “Then what is the right thing?” My simple answer: "A mature yet humble professional should know".
I cannot believe I’m now contemplating on this notion that the terms “Corporate Social Responsibility” and “Business Ethics” have become a commercial activity from what is supposed to be a very personal interaction. These terms are supposed to have very noble and highly regarded definitions.
The manner in which some organizations advertise its products and services are commonly way too superficial that when it comes to actual practice, the dilemma of restrained confusion is borne by the end-users. We cannot tamper a misleading information with another misleading action. This is obnoxious.
Do we really want to give a wrong signal and continue pretending that we are the best practitioners of “Good Corporate Works"? Where is the so-called Truth in Advertising? (Another subject matter I will highlight on my succeeding posts).
It’s a Big Sigh in the “Real” Business World
Ironic isn’t it? Speaking from my own observations (this is a global concern and I do not generalize), there are organizations that are actively promoting the achievements of its CSR units or Corporate Ethics and yet some continues to retrench employees at its preference while still carrying on preaching how to treat employees fairly.
Some observes power & paper saving inside the office and yet continues to create massive pollution at the expense of the environment and health of society; while some boasts its responsible “Good Governance” department yet corruption is all over the workplace; some depicts a highly impressive HR policies yet discrimination and favoritism in terms of rank promotions are in actual practices.
Some will generously give donations for social events on the condition that they will be given priority attention during the actual event (and would freak out to the max if they are not immensely recognized and advertised); and some promotes exceptional customer service and yet clients often swallow the temperamental moods of the customer service agents or cannot even provide accurate and reliable solutions & assistance to enquiries and requests.
The worst part --- some organizations encourage teamwork and harmonious working relationship yet repugnant politics and gossiping are obviously spreading faster than the speed of light posing harmful effects among each other in the workplace.
You and I can name a thousand and one reasons yet we are still sitting here and doing nothing for the simple pretext that “we cannot be bothered”. We continue what we WANT to do and not what we OUGHT to do in honor of “PROFIT, FAME and VANITY”. Unimaginable!
And we still have the FACE VALUE to claim that we have the genuine intention of giving back to society and the sincerity of commendable service towards customers who are the main sources of monetary and popularity of a business.
And where I’m now coming from, the Travel Business is Not Spared
The Hospitality and Tourism industry should actually be one conscious sector in observing Ethics and Social Responsibility.
Again, I do not generalize so please don’t get me wrong. But when it comes to extensive advertisements on travel & leisure discount promotions, the end-users do not in reality get exactly what was advertised and usually end up paying more than expected. Normally, this is happening on budget travel & tour promotions. Let us take note that “Deception can never escape a boomerang effect”.
What is there so difficult about declaring truth and transparency? Why is it that consumers from the tourism business need to pay excessive fees on package tours only to find out that some itineraries aren’t necessary? Why do people just keep on falling in love with complications so madly? There are many other “whys” and it’s just so brain draining to figure out why?
Another thing. And a very crucial matter. We put customer service hotlines and emails on our business websites and boldly indicate “Please contact us anytime if you require immediate attention” OR “We are happy to serve you 24/7” but in reality, a client has wasted almost the entire day trying to reach the customer service for urgent assistance on travel bookings only to end up in absolute vain. Yet still, we have the nerve to keep those messages boldly publicized on our websites and largely printed on our marketing tools.
The Absence of Right Values
I have read several articles from honorable experts about harmonizing the 3Ps (People, Profit & Planet) to achieve Sustainability which are very good advocacies. But I wrote this post with a simple and humble message (innate in me) that advocacies cannot remain and end with just Words. And supporting the words of the experts, I will never be convinced with the great excuse “Easier Said than Done”.
Anything and Everything, as long as it is for the common good, is never too difficult to do if you have “Good Intentions”. Faith can move mountains and so are our good deeds.
With all these in my thoughts, I also cannot afford to waste time my whole life figuring out what ever happened to the good manners and right conduct of the society and the business environment per se which are ought to be preserved from the practice of the ancient times and passed on from generation to generation.
Whose ball should it be?
It should start from each one of us. Consistency in doing what is good is not an overnight thing but a work of a lifetime and so does changing our characters for the better.
I noticed finger pointing is becoming an enterprise too. We plan and execute on our own will but taking responsibility is not on our vocabulary since we can easily pass judgment and blame on others. In spite of this, we still claim to be “highly educated” and “well-established” PROFESSIONALS.
Leading a good example and becoming a Credible Influencer can make a tremendous difference in positioning mankind and the environment to a better place. Remember, we can never receive what we cannot give. And I mean --- Do good and good will come to you.
But if we have a different connotation of "doing good" and "receiving good", we must be aware that there also exist a word called "FAKE".
If I have an entity, would it not be much simpler to sit down and employ an open discussion with my employees and customers to find out what they expect from the company, in what way the company can best serve their needs, then respond on a mutually beneficial manner and in due time, give back what belongs to society - all in accordance with Ethics and Social Responsibility.
Most importantly, I always put my shoes with that of my customers and surely, I’ll never go astray. There is this sound of Divine intervention and Providence that comes with it too.
Why should I trouble myself with so much complications in my business dealings when I can fulfill these plain and simple rules to achieve my goals with a Clear Conscience?
Life is not all about fortune and fame. For if our thoughts and feelings are centered on these materialistic goals, our lives have no substance.
At the end of the day, what is most important is for people (customers and employees alike) to remember the good we have done. If our motive is otherwise, then we are not worthy of the recognition where we ought to be at our Best. And I mean BEST in accordance with moral conscience.
Is it not the Taste of Good Karma the sweetest in life?