When I think about the traits that I value in a friend kindness, trustworthiness and honesty always come to the top of my mind. When I think about what I value in businesses that list of traits doesn't change much, transparency, reliability and a genuine effort to do good are still at the top. I know that the businesses that provide me with the everyday goods and services that I need are not my friends, but I really wish that they could be a bit more "friendly".
I would love to see a future where we can trust what companies are telling consumers, and where the businesses which are transparent about their suppliers and sustainability practices aren't villainized. It's hard to be a leader when those who stay quiet get away with their questionable practices, so something really needs to change.
I think that the only real way out of this problem is strongly enforced ecologically conscious law making that actually penalizes the "bad actors" who bend the rules and/or conceal the truth about their sustainability.
Hi Sofie, it would certainly be nice if businesses could be more accountable to their consumers. Perhaps we'll attain a greater degree of transparency when major shifts in the economy occur, favoring sustainability over short-term profits. When penalizing "bad actors", what are some ways they can be caught if they attempt to conceal their practices like you mentioned?
Hi Sofie! I too wish that business could be more "friendly" and care about their consumers. Two questions come to mind when reading your post: do you think consumers play a role in pushing companies towards transparency? How can we balance between penalizing "bad actors" and encouraging them to transition into better practices?
Hi Sofie! I really loved your post! It's a sad reality that companies that are more transparent about their sustainability practices are targeted and villainized rather than becoming a leader in the field. I think if the public has more awareness and is informed about the benefits that come with being more sustainable, they may popularize transparent businesses through social media in a way that other companies may feel forced to also become sustainable.
Hi Sofie, your metaphor about business and frinedship is very active. I totally argree with your opinion. There is an archaism says small susccess depends on intelligence while large success depends on virtue. For a business to be glory for longer period, it must be more firendly, more frankly to its consumers as well as the whole market.
I quite understand your idea, but I think it is a pity that most companies and enterprises are hardly willing to make information transparent in the face of interests, and if there is a bigger profit to be obtained, they would be more desperate to seek it instead of considering the natural environment.
I totally see what you mean how businesses have completely lost our trust and it sucks that one of our best solutions involves getting something else people commonly mistrust (the government) to solve it by enforcing eco-conscious laws. I love how you brought it down to an individual level, thinking of how we can make our businesses more friendly!
Great points! I like your idea of a business upholding the same values you would expect of an individual. This is definitely a lot easier for local and co-op style businesses to do than big corporations, which is a reminder of why we should be supporting them whenever possible.
Definitely true, we need more rigorous legislation. Now we just need to figure out how to keep the good lawyers in the government and not have them work as consultants for the bad boys.
Hi Sofie! Agreed - we need some strict laws to push for ecologically friendly business practices!
Great post, Sofie! I particularly liked how you made the comparison between businesses and friends. That is a great vision of what a good company should be.
Hey Sophie, I agree, but I don't think businesses can be our friends, just due to the nature of how business works. However, a good example of how businesses can be more tightly integrated into communities are co-ops. Credit unions as opposed to banks are more trustworthy and deliver a better service.
I agree! I also believe enforcing ecological laws is a powerful way of forcing sustainablility and transparency.