Chapter 1: Greed & Success
In Chapter 1, I found Field’s discussion of excess and the idea that “more is good, even more is even better” quite interesting. I know many businesses base success on this idea–in many ways, it is not their fault. Under the current Capitalist way of thinking, business celebrity is often synonymous with greed: Focus is purely on profits.
Do you currently measure your success in profit only? If not, how do you measure success?
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beadworksbykerri 10:27 am on May 6, 2010 Permalink |
I also found this chapter interesting and have struggled with the desire for material things quite often throughout my life. Now that I’m starting my own business, I’m struggling with it once again. My stash of beads is well beyond what I can work up in a reasonable amount of time. But, that aside, I don’t measure the success of my business in profit only. The amount of greed in the corporate world is one of the reasons why I ventured out on my own to begin with. So, from the beginning I made a conscious effort to give back, even if it’s in a small way. I use recycled mailers to ship my items and give 10% of all sales to charity each month. I also support the handmade industry as much as possible. To me, focus on profits has gone way too far. From tainted dog food, lead filled paint on toys to cancer causing metal found in jewelry, it’s becoming difficult to know what is even safe to purchase.
Cody Moore 1:13 am on May 14, 2010 Permalink |
For me success is multifaceted, in which profit is only one of the things that help complete my definition for success. Family is extremely important to me so making enough time for them (and enough time to relax, of course!) is essential. Sticking to my code of ethics/principles in not compromising on designing/illustrating something that goes against my beliefs is another thing I consider. To me, profits are really just about being able to pay the bills and provide for my family.