Underwritten by Conduit For Commerce—by Joe Maynard, Commentator
First published: October 6, 2011,
You have heard it said that business is about “RISK AND REWARD”— a prospective business owner with an idea risks his possessions and time for what he hopes will be rewarded by customers who buy his products for a profit. Immediately you see two parties (or partners) involved in making a successful business….the owner (who takes the risk) and the customer (who rewards it.)
In today’s economic climate with its need for a radical change, take this two party arrangement and consider a twist to the phrase—“risk and reward”—and think of it as “RISK AND INCONVENIENCE.” With that in mind, let’s start by talking about “business basics.”
To start any business you must first have an idea. Ideas are common and plentiful. It is often inconvenient to act on these ideas. Next to make the idea a business, you must identify a need. (This is where the customer first enters the scene—the party with the need.) In order to serve this need you must have a facility, tools, and labor. These can be as simple as a living room or garage, a pair of scissors, and you; or as complicated as a factory, millions of dollars, and thousands of people. These essentials have to be created or furnished, and unless you are lucky enough to have them given to you, you must risk losing time and property.
Either way, at some point, there is risk to the business owner. This risk can be as little as your spare time, or again, millions of dollars, and everything in between. Risk big– Win big. (Can feel just like the Casino!) This is the American model. I know these things through my own personal experience. I have worked many, many hours at well below minimum wage in order to start my business. I have “gone all” many times at many stages of growth and continue to do so. This is the story of the small business owner.
Now — “Business” in general, has been and continues to get a really bad shake in many circles today and in some cases it is deserved. We can agree that some businesses and particularly larger businesses behave in ways that are suspect at best. But consider–is it really the business or is it the support of the business by the consumer that is problematic? If a business, by definition, involves both parties—the business owner and the customer, then the actions of the customer must be considered.
With the profit to the business owner being the ultimate reward for his risk, we know that a business needs income. These are derived from sales to its customers. If customers stop patronizing the business, the business will either change its behavior or it will not remain in business very long. So now the focus has shifted—from the “inconvenience” on the business owner (in starting and maintaining the business) to the “inconvenience of the customer.”
You may argue that some things everyone needs and thus have no choice but to buy. Is that really true for most things? (Not unlike our relationship with government,) it really comes down to how much are we willing to be “inconvenienced?” How much responsibility are we willing to take to change a company’s behavior or to demand accountability?
What is it worth to avoid doing business with a person or company you may not like?
Will you really do without a 2nd flat screen because you cannot buy one made in America?
Will you even do without ice cream if you had a poor experience with the neighborhood ice cream shop?
Would you stop all air travel for a year or longer to stop the unlawful TSA actions?
As consumers in this great country, we have free choice. If we do not use it and yet expect others to change to suit us, that is just whining! Or worse—it is partnering with (and yes, supporting,) the actions you claim to hate.
When a business does not provide what you expect to your satisfaction, you have a choice to not patronize that business. I think we should all consider what it does take to start and maintain a small business and avoid vilification of these people. America is still free enough that if you do not think a business is good, you can start a competing business and do it your way.
Create and maintain a few jobs sometime and see how you like the regulation of almost any activity you do, the responsibility for anything that happens to anyone in your employ, and the endless taxing and fees required at every turn. This is a tremendous downside to having risked time and money in today’s environment.
When you encounter principled businesses, patronize them and help them succeed. Take responsibility for making happen what you claim you desire. The power is in your hands. Be willing to be inconvenienced. Think before you act regarding your part and your control over all businesses.
Liberty and Freedom create free choice. Supporting a business or creating and maintaining a business are not mandated. Liberty takes effort and Freedom takes sacrifice. If you value your liberty and freedom, you better exercise it or it will be eroded until it becomes only a distant memory you share with your great grandchildren.
Join in doing your part in support of our business climate—keep up your end of the business arrangement of “RISK AND INCONVENIENCE.” The reward is worth the sacrifice.
