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Business is the root of all evil?

(9 Posts)
JessM Sat 25-Jan-14 11:41:42

Last week on Any Questions one of the panellists said that most businesses behaved responsibly and ethically. There was quite a loud, sceptical response from the audience.
Business people certainly don't get a good "press" in the media - TV and film often portray them as evil.
On the other hand most people work in the private sector and if it was not for people starting and growing successful businesses then this country would be utterly impoverished.
What do we think?

mollie Sat 25-Jan-14 11:52:54

Small and local businesses are fine, great, should be encouraged. Big business, multi nationals that are on a mission to rule the world? Nah! Evil in my opinion...

glammanana Sat 25-Jan-14 12:15:59

Small businesses have such a hard time making ends meet and keeping up with the regulations they need to prosper at great cost,if I wasn't fortunate to have the facilities for most of my catering contracts having the cooking facilities on site at the venues I use & already having the required certicates I would be unable to meet the the sometimes ridiculous guidelines needed to continue my part-time business,in fact this year I am going to wind up my business as the tax I pay (which I don't object to by the way) will make it not worth continuing really as I would need to employ extra staff and the implications are a minefield.I do feel for small businesses.

Joan Sat 25-Jan-14 12:33:25

There are some evil businesses: Monsanto is a good example, but it is true that small businesses suffer. My sister and BiL are in business for themselves in France: rules, regulations, red tape and taxes make life very difficult, though it would be even worse if they had to employ anyone. They work extremely hard just to keep themselves in modest comfort. However, they would never resent paying tax, as my sister had a liver and kidney transplant in Paris in 2001, and the free hospitals and free medication are something they will appreciate for ever.

FlicketyB Sat 25-Jan-14 16:33:46

Most of us would be out of work and out of money without businesses of all sizes. Some large companies do behave badly but not all.

However many industries like energy, steel making and car manufacturing, to name but three, need large companies because, the cost of new plant and equipment may run into billions and no one is going to lend or invest that much in a small firm with few assets.

rosesarered Sat 25-Jan-14 17:06:35

Capitalism [may not be perfect but it's the best thing so far] needs business of all kinds. Small businesses may become big businesses if they are successful [why not?] Large companies become large employers.Each company has it's own ethos, some better than others, but we need all kinds.

rosesarered Sat 25-Jan-14 17:08:01

Anyway, isn't the quote 'the love of money is the root of all evil' [not money itself.which we all need.]

JessM Sat 25-Jan-14 17:18:18

Good point flicketyb and now and again one of the smaller water companies in the south east fails to cope and proves the point that bigger an be more beautiful.
Yes I know that is the original quote rosesarered but have you never heard of poetic licence? hmm
I was surprised by the fact that most people who work for private employers work for small or medium sized businesses and that in terms of job numbers, big companies contribute fewer than SMEs - although of course they may offer better paid ones.

FlicketyB Sat 25-Jan-14 17:24:25

In Germany the group of companies we call SMEs (small and medium sized businesses) are called the 'Mittelstand' They get a lot of help and support from government and industry and as a result account for the majority of Germany's exports. They export about three times as much as similar sized British companies, but then in Germany manufacturing of goods accounts for about 35% of the GDP compared with about 10% in the UK.