The Corporate world ?
26 April 2012, 09:04 PM
#1
The Corporate world ?
Does it ever do anything motivated by anything other than profit ?
Anything it ever does seems to be profit dressed up as a noble cause designed to attract hapless customers trying to do something that may make a difference, Computers for Schools or whatever is always designed to sell more product and any social benefit is a lame byproduct. Tesco just seems like the most aggressive organsisation on the planet in what they are prepared to do, even Richard Branson who comes across as some avuncular hippie who runs a few trains and planes is as bad as the rest, with his tax avoidance schemes.
I am not in any way against capitalism (note the small c) but I cant stand the mentality that pervades it, this is parodied by "The Apprentice" quite well and I think sums up the corporate world, a load of total toadies climbing up the **** of the flawed false idol King Toad, all jockeying for position like spoilt Chihuahuas ready to sell their "friend" out for the chance to ascend another inch up the rectum, it must be worse in the real world with real people who have a clue.
Am I totally misguided, do these massive companies need to be that ruthless to stay alive or are they just a bunch of *****, the oil companies seem to be among the worst. I get the feeling the current financial situation is at least in part caused by the total greed of oil companies and their shareholders, it is like the end of a game of monopoly, a few end up with hotels on Mayfair totally hammering the other players for whatever they can get, time for a new game.
Anything it ever does seems to be profit dressed up as a noble cause designed to attract hapless customers trying to do something that may make a difference, Computers for Schools or whatever is always designed to sell more product and any social benefit is a lame byproduct. Tesco just seems like the most aggressive organsisation on the planet in what they are prepared to do, even Richard Branson who comes across as some avuncular hippie who runs a few trains and planes is as bad as the rest, with his tax avoidance schemes.
I am not in any way against capitalism (note the small c) but I cant stand the mentality that pervades it, this is parodied by "The Apprentice" quite well and I think sums up the corporate world, a load of total toadies climbing up the **** of the flawed false idol King Toad, all jockeying for position like spoilt Chihuahuas ready to sell their "friend" out for the chance to ascend another inch up the rectum, it must be worse in the real world with real people who have a clue.
Am I totally misguided, do these massive companies need to be that ruthless to stay alive or are they just a bunch of *****, the oil companies seem to be among the worst. I get the feeling the current financial situation is at least in part caused by the total greed of oil companies and their shareholders, it is like the end of a game of monopoly, a few end up with hotels on Mayfair totally hammering the other players for whatever they can get, time for a new game.
26 April 2012, 09:08 PM
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I am not in any way against capitalism (note the small c) but I cant stand the mentality that pervades it, this is parodied by "The Apprentice" quite well and I think sums up the corporate world, a load of total toadies climbing up the **** of the flawed false idol King Toad, all jockeying for position like spoilt Chihuahuas ready to sell their "friend" out for the chance to ascend another inch up the rectum, it must be worse in the real world with real people who have a clue.
26 April 2012, 09:14 PM
#4
If anything they were worse than in my time in the Private Sector, but usually clueless enough not to be a threat to anyone but themselves, I found the actual coppers to be ok and most of the civs, the worst were the civs who thought they were going places, saw one reduce a heavily pregnant woman (twins) to tears as she sowed weakness, I told one to back off after telling me i hadnt updated a "ticket", I had been up all night sorting the problem out, they get rattled by that, especially if they realise they need you more than you need them.
26 April 2012, 09:46 PM
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In your post you allude to the Corporate world as not just being about 'profit' though as you allude to toadyism. I might perhaps not express it so pejoratively but I read somewhere about how promotion in a Corporate hierarchy was more to do with being 'in the good books' with your boss rather than being 'able' as such.
Personally I intensively dislike the Corporate world. It seem basically full of people saying things they don't really mean or believe, but nobody says this, it is like something that is obvious but the 'game' says to keep it silent. It's an institutionalised duplicity. All these people chasing promotion and money, always look for something, wanting something, I do wonder what it is they actually think they are getting or think they are wanting. It's like a big fight to belong to the 'in group' and not the 'out group'. Honestly I think it is half mad when looked at from the outside.
Personally I intensively dislike the Corporate world. It seem basically full of people saying things they don't really mean or believe, but nobody says this, it is like something that is obvious but the 'game' says to keep it silent. It's an institutionalised duplicity. All these people chasing promotion and money, always look for something, wanting something, I do wonder what it is they actually think they are getting or think they are wanting. It's like a big fight to belong to the 'in group' and not the 'out group'. Honestly I think it is half mad when looked at from the outside.
Last edited by tony de wonderful; 26 April 2012 at 09:52 PM.
26 April 2012, 09:56 PM
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26 April 2012, 10:32 PM
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its all about profit, dont kid yourself
exploitation to some degree or other
unfortunstley sociatey doesnt work without hierarchy.
but it fits into many peoples lives styles well, others not so.
the world is run by, energy companies, pharmacutical companies and to an extent media, with some close behind - all of which are profit driven. not always a bad thing admittadley , but the extent of human greed beyond necessity is quite alarming at times.
corruption from one degree to another is prevalent almost everywhere - its clearly not fair, but neither is human existence - no matter what people say, everyone can never ever be equal or it wouldnt work.
exploitation to some degree or other
unfortunstley sociatey doesnt work without hierarchy.
but it fits into many peoples lives styles well, others not so.
the world is run by, energy companies, pharmacutical companies and to an extent media, with some close behind - all of which are profit driven. not always a bad thing admittadley , but the extent of human greed beyond necessity is quite alarming at times.
corruption from one degree to another is prevalent almost everywhere - its clearly not fair, but neither is human existence - no matter what people say, everyone can never ever be equal or it wouldnt work.
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27 April 2012, 12:22 PM
#8
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Not all about profit... whilst i accept the company i work for may get some good press out of it, have a look here:
http://www.icap.com/ICAPCharityDay.aspx
http://www.icap.com/ICAPCharityDay.aspx
27 April 2012, 01:40 PM
#9
Just seems anythign a lot of companies do it solely motivated by driving sales/revenue, like the "Computers for Schools" thing, all about collecting vouchers, if the comapny in question wanted to make a difference they could just donate goods or money.
Maybe they do stuff I am not aware of, just seems so cynical, are there any companies that exist as a service to humanity rather than the shareholders, do the oil companies ever do anything altruistic, a lot of the American billionaires used to donate vast chunksof wealth and we have one or two like Bill Gates and Warren buffet but most like Larry Ellison just seem to be in a big game of Me Me Me ?
Maybe they do stuff I am not aware of, just seems so cynical, are there any companies that exist as a service to humanity rather than the shareholders, do the oil companies ever do anything altruistic, a lot of the American billionaires used to donate vast chunksof wealth and we have one or two like Bill Gates and Warren buffet but most like Larry Ellison just seem to be in a big game of Me Me Me ?
27 April 2012, 01:51 PM
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That might to true to some extent but lots of hierarchy serves no purpose that to serve itself. An example is the public sector where there is something like 30+ levels in the hierarchy but in say Tesco there is 6 or 7.
One rationalisation of Capitalism is that is does away with a lot of hierarchy as decision making is left to the price mechanism. In an organised society, a socialised society, you need a massive bureaucracy to makes planning decisions instead. Lots of massive Corporations seems to resemble socialist bureaucracy IMHO. You have the same self-justifying scale, the same empire building, the same rigidity.
One rationalisation of Capitalism is that is does away with a lot of hierarchy as decision making is left to the price mechanism. In an organised society, a socialised society, you need a massive bureaucracy to makes planning decisions instead. Lots of massive Corporations seems to resemble socialist bureaucracy IMHO. You have the same self-justifying scale, the same empire building, the same rigidity.
27 April 2012, 03:59 PM
#12
Just seems anythign a lot of companies do it solely motivated by driving sales/revenue, like the "Computers for Schools" thing, all about collecting vouchers, if the comapny in question wanted to make a difference they could just donate goods or money.
Maybe they do stuff I am not aware of, just seems so cynical, are there any companies that exist as a service to humanity rather than the shareholders, do the oil companies ever do anything altruistic, a lot of the American billionaires used to donate vast chunksof wealth and we have one or two like Bill Gates and Warren buffet but most like Larry Ellison just seem to be in a big game of Me Me Me ?
Maybe they do stuff I am not aware of, just seems so cynical, are there any companies that exist as a service to humanity rather than the shareholders, do the oil companies ever do anything altruistic, a lot of the American billionaires used to donate vast chunksof wealth and we have one or two like Bill Gates and Warren buffet but most like Larry Ellison just seem to be in a big game of Me Me Me ?
With the "Computers for Schools" scheme, it's a win win for both the school in that they get new computers and Tesco generate sales. If you look beyond the sales aspect, it at least puts into motion an initiatives that gets new equipment into schools which might not have been possible due to the budgetary constraints imposed by the local authorities. Yes they could probably just go out and buy a load of computers for schools up and down the country, but how much is that going to cost? Invariably any costs will ultimately be passed on to shoppers, who may then shop elsewhere for better deals and in turn put themselves out of business.
If you are in business, you ultimate goal is making profit. If you have shareholders, then those shareholders expect decent returns for their investment. These investments are likely to be held by other corporates and the return on that investment helps them to provide goods and services to you the customer as well as their employees who in one shape of form, will always want more than what is necessary, it's human nature.
27 April 2012, 04:04 PM
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27 April 2012, 04:10 PM
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27 April 2012, 04:16 PM
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Is it? The Banks primary purpose seems to be to give their executives massive pay? The banks is owned by the shareholders though. Case in point is Barclays on the news ATM.
27 April 2012, 04:24 PM
#17
Well then why stop with Banks bandwagon, you may as well add in the executives at pharmaceutical, bio-tech, consumer electrical, insurers, sportswear, software, hardware, arms manufacturers, property developers, etc etc etc.
27 April 2012, 04:34 PM
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Indeed. The point is a modern corporation has a multiplicity of 'objectives'. Ownership and control are largely split.
27 April 2012, 04:51 PM
#19
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The shareholders of Barclays have a problem which they seem to be remedying with a view to providing themselves with more wealth. I stand by the statement; it is the main reason for the existence of the legal framework of a company.
27 April 2012, 06:48 PM
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Why isn't it existence also to maximise the income of its senior management too?
27 April 2012, 07:45 PM
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I am not in any way against capitalism (note the small c) but I cant stand the mentality that pervades it, this is parodied by "The Apprentice" quite well and I think sums up the corporate world, a load of total toadies climbing up the **** of the flawed false idol King Toad, all jockeying for position like spoilt Chihuahuas ready to sell their "friend" out for the chance to ascend another inch up the rectum, it must be worse in the real world with real people who have a clue.
I cannot stand suck ups. The Apprentice is a perfect example. If anyone wanted to kick Alan Sugar up the ar$e, they would have to get the canidates heads out first
27 April 2012, 09:21 PM
#22
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The problem with the corporate culture – as practiced in the neo western capitalist economies (basically the UK and the US) is short termism
The “foreseeable future” is 12 months and the “long term” is 14 months
This breeds a culture of the “quick buck”, the “easy way is the right/best way” – and we see this in everything form politicians fiddling expenses as an easy way to supplement their salary, to journo’s hacking their way to stories – easier than actually doing all the journalistic stuff, all the hard graft, you know “working”
And this reaches its zenith in our reliance in finance, so much easier than actually making things – that takes hard work and a long term view and long term investments
Creatures that climb up the corporate ladder view things in terms of months, create a short term “success”, that actually turns into a long term disaster, no problem as they are long gone and have collected the cash/kudos and moved on to pastures new - and repeat
But boy we have just touched the surface of all this – things are going to get sooo much worse for soooo many people
But luckily much better for the few- which is nice!!
The “foreseeable future” is 12 months and the “long term” is 14 months
This breeds a culture of the “quick buck”, the “easy way is the right/best way” – and we see this in everything form politicians fiddling expenses as an easy way to supplement their salary, to journo’s hacking their way to stories – easier than actually doing all the journalistic stuff, all the hard graft, you know “working”
And this reaches its zenith in our reliance in finance, so much easier than actually making things – that takes hard work and a long term view and long term investments
Creatures that climb up the corporate ladder view things in terms of months, create a short term “success”, that actually turns into a long term disaster, no problem as they are long gone and have collected the cash/kudos and moved on to pastures new - and repeat
But boy we have just touched the surface of all this – things are going to get sooo much worse for soooo many people
But luckily much better for the few- which is nice!!
Last edited by hodgy0_2; 27 April 2012 at 09:27 PM.
28 April 2012, 05:08 PM
#23
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The problem with the corporate culture – as practiced in the neo western capitalist economies (basically the UK and the US) is short termism
The “foreseeable future” is 12 months and the “long term” is 14 months
This breeds a culture of the “quick buck”, the “easy way is the right/best way” – and we see this in everything form politicians fiddling expenses as an easy way to supplement their salary, to journo’s hacking their way to stories – easier than actually doing all the journalistic stuff, all the hard graft, you know “working”
And this reaches its zenith in our reliance in finance, so much easier than actually making things – that takes hard work and a long term view and long term investments
Creatures that climb up the corporate ladder view things in terms of months, create a short term “success”, that actually turns into a long term disaster, no problem as they are long gone and have collected the cash/kudos and moved on to pastures new - and repeat
But boy we have just touched the surface of all this – things are going to get sooo much worse for soooo many people
But luckily much better for the few- which is nice!!
The “foreseeable future” is 12 months and the “long term” is 14 months
This breeds a culture of the “quick buck”, the “easy way is the right/best way” – and we see this in everything form politicians fiddling expenses as an easy way to supplement their salary, to journo’s hacking their way to stories – easier than actually doing all the journalistic stuff, all the hard graft, you know “working”
And this reaches its zenith in our reliance in finance, so much easier than actually making things – that takes hard work and a long term view and long term investments
Creatures that climb up the corporate ladder view things in terms of months, create a short term “success”, that actually turns into a long term disaster, no problem as they are long gone and have collected the cash/kudos and moved on to pastures new - and repeat
But boy we have just touched the surface of all this – things are going to get sooo much worse for soooo many people
But luckily much better for the few- which is nice!!
its in almost everything we do, to make it faster, stronger more profitable ect. its whats driven the species to be as successful or un-successful depending on your view as it has been.
its led to so many inventions/medicines ect ect all what most people consider advances.
there are of course, many many that do the work without the recompense, or are just plain abused.
again heirarchy is used, accpeted and fits well with a lot, and again there are those that suffer due to it, because of abuse/corruption for personal greed
29 April 2012, 11:21 AM
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Does it ever do anything motivated by anything other than profit ?
Anything it ever does seems to be profit dressed up as a noble cause designed to attract hapless customers trying to do something that may make a difference, Computers for Schools or whatever is always designed to sell more product and any social benefit is a lame byproduct. Tesco just seems like the most aggressive organsisation on the planet in what they are prepared to do, even Richard Branson who comes across as some avuncular hippie who runs a few trains and planes is as bad as the rest, with his tax avoidance schemes.
I am not in any way against capitalism (note the small c) but I cant stand the mentality that pervades it, this is parodied by "The Apprentice" quite well and I think sums up the corporate world, a load of total toadies climbing up the **** of the flawed false idol King Toad, all jockeying for position like spoilt Chihuahuas ready to sell their "friend" out for the chance to ascend another inch up the rectum, it must be worse in the real world with real people who have a clue.
Am I totally misguided, do these massive companies need to be that ruthless to stay alive or are they just a bunch of *****, the oil companies seem to be among the worst. I get the feeling the current financial situation is at least in part caused by the total greed of oil companies and their shareholders, it is like the end of a game of monopoly, a few end up with hotels on Mayfair totally hammering the other players for whatever they can get, time for a new game.
Anything it ever does seems to be profit dressed up as a noble cause designed to attract hapless customers trying to do something that may make a difference, Computers for Schools or whatever is always designed to sell more product and any social benefit is a lame byproduct. Tesco just seems like the most aggressive organsisation on the planet in what they are prepared to do, even Richard Branson who comes across as some avuncular hippie who runs a few trains and planes is as bad as the rest, with his tax avoidance schemes.
I am not in any way against capitalism (note the small c) but I cant stand the mentality that pervades it, this is parodied by "The Apprentice" quite well and I think sums up the corporate world, a load of total toadies climbing up the **** of the flawed false idol King Toad, all jockeying for position like spoilt Chihuahuas ready to sell their "friend" out for the chance to ascend another inch up the rectum, it must be worse in the real world with real people who have a clue.
Am I totally misguided, do these massive companies need to be that ruthless to stay alive or are they just a bunch of *****, the oil companies seem to be among the worst. I get the feeling the current financial situation is at least in part caused by the total greed of oil companies and their shareholders, it is like the end of a game of monopoly, a few end up with hotels on Mayfair totally hammering the other players for whatever they can get, time for a new game.
I don't think it is anything to be proud of.
Les
29 April 2012, 11:45 AM
#25
Agree.... look at consultancy companies, I have an offer on the table to take up employment with one of these outfits - what I am struggling with is that I will be charged out to the customer at £850 per day at 100% utilisation ie 5 day week 8 to 10 hour days. I will see about a quarter of that amount as salary, the company will have some overheads and admin costs and no-one would object to them taking a reasonable amount of profit. But as I understand it, over 50% of this amount is profit to the company - this is a small company with 3 directors employing 12 consultants.
The could sell me and the others on at £500 a day and still take a healthy margin.
The could sell me and the others on at £500 a day and still take a healthy margin.
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