My epiphany today.......

WallStGolfer31 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-11-07, 05:28 AM

I was just sitting around today and I had an epiphany. I don't like how business operates in this day and age at all. Don't get me wrong, I love Financial Mathematics and Economics, both are extremely beautiful, elegant studies which I plan to pursue in grad school for the next 6-7 years. It's business in practice today that gets me.

I makes me sick thinking about how fake the whole thing is. Maybe it's just American business that makes me sick, but whatever it is, I don't like it. I have a feeling the Brits still take it easy. I hear Canadians are similar to the Brits, I guess I'll find out this summer eh? lol. Why can't we be more relaxed, less worried about profit, and more about happiness?

What happened to two and a half hour lunches that consisted of steaks and multiple martinis? What happened to taking off early to play a round of golf? In the 1950's these simple stress relieving activities were not exclusive to executive life like today (and even today some exec's don't have these basic rights) but to most in management. Don't even get me started on the dehumanization of the common workers either, I think that may be widespread across country lines as well. Underpaid, overworked, underappreciated for what they do, for without them, the bottom line wouldn't exist!

Then there is the gross pay packages these executives get while thousands are getting laid off with nothing but two weeks salary if that. What ever happened to all men were created equal? Everyone from the CEO to the custodian make the company work, why can't their be more equality? I'm not saying a janitor should have equal pay to a CEO, not by far, I'm just saying we should treat those who contribute with respect by paying them something that reflects their part in the company, and all parts are needed to be correctly functioning.

Anyways I just wanted to vent that lol and see if anyone else had similar feelings? Joe, maybe you could shed some light on how things are in Canada on this subject?

aquaswim47 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-11-07, 02:03 PM

I think you have great content, but I'm more the 6.5 day weeks type of guy. I like to be a naturally born contrarian; when people are greedy, I'm afraid and when people are afraid, I get greedy. I am a stark believer in capitalism and believe that people should work like if its their own business. In other words, I want an employee whose going to do the job, do it right, and want to be cooperative even if the employee disagrees with me. I think cooperation and diligence is more important than an individual who always agrees with you. It is imperative that you have self-motivated employees that have the drive to act appropriately.

MDZ · #3 (**permalink**) 05-11-07, 11:26 PM

Dann, I, like you I believe, am a huge fan of capitalism and relativley free markets. What really annoys me in both business, and government for that matter, is the bureaucracy that tends to develop. I know that some of it is necessary, but I hate the fact that some people are able to get by simply though wrapping themselves in the comfort of their bureacratic jobs.

In response to your question, I personally don't feel that long lunches and golf are necessarily basic rights for business managers. I do agree with the need to respect every individual and allow them to enrich their live through work. Obviously the reason for this change is the natural tendency of the American public to go after "great deals." This in turn stimulates competition, and the price cutting begins. I love a nice long lunch as much as the next guy, but I also feel that such a occasion is more of a treat, rather than a right.

It is always nice to vent

.

anfern057 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-12-07, 12:06 AM

Dann you drunk? lol JK

I don't know the facts but didn't people in the 50s work harder? At least thats what I gather from Hollywood.

anfern057 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-12-07, 08:54 PM

Its actually funny you make this post. Everyday during my lunch hour I sit on a bench by the ocean and do nothing. I've been telling my friend I work with that there should be a lounge in the building where we can eat, watch some good tv, play some Xbox, maybe throw back a drink or two, and chill for that hour. I'd pay a monthly fee for access to that lounge for sure.

Throw in some strippers and its game over haha

MDZ · #6 (**permalink**) 05-12-07, 10:05 PM

ROFL Andy, you might be on to something! I agree that businesses should try to make the time people spend their more enjoyable, especially since some work requires people to come in on the weekends and such. I guess their choice of "attractions" is up to them, haha.

Yee Sian · #7 (**permalink**) 05-13-07, 02:51 PM

Quote:

I was just sitting around today and I had an epiphany. I don't like how business operates in this day and age at all. Don't get me wrong, I love Financial Mathematics and Economics, both are extremely beautiful, elegant studies which I plan to pursue in grad school for the next 6-7 years. It's business in practice today that gets me.

I makes me sick thinking about how fake the whole thing is. Maybe it's just American business that makes me sick, but whatever it is, I don't like it. I have a feeling the Brits still take it easy. I hear Canadians are similar to the Brits, I guess I'll find out this summer eh? lol. Why can't we be more relaxed, less worried about profit, and more about happiness?

What happened to two and a half hour lunches that consisted of steaks and multiple martinis? What happened to taking off early to play a round of golf? In the 1950's these simple stress relieving activities were not exclusive to executive life like today (and even today some exec's don't have these basic rights) but to most in management. Don't even get me started on the dehumanization of the common workers either, I think that may be widespread across country lines as well. Underpaid, overworked, underappreciated for what they do, for without them, the bottom line wouldn't exist!

Then there is the gross pay packages these executives get while thousands are getting laid off with nothing but two weeks salary if that. What ever happened to all men were created equal? Everyone from the CEO to the custodian make the company work, why can't their be more equality? I'm not saying a janitor should have equal pay to a CEO, not by far, I'm just saying we should treat those who contribute with respect by paying them something that reflects their part in the company, and all parts are needed to be correctly functioning.

Anyways I just wanted to vent that lol and see if anyone else had similar feelings? Joe, maybe you could shed some light on how things are in Canada on this subject?

Bravo

The economisation of the world seems to have made everything else obsolete. While many people can see the benefits of GDP growth, not many can point out the limitations of GDP in measuring standard of living.

When Senator Robert kennedy was running for president in 1968, he gave a critique of the GDP, "It does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages, the intelligence of our public debate or the integrity of our public officials. It measures neither our courage, nor our wisdom, nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile, and it can tell us everything about America except why we are proud that we are Americans"

Regarding inequality in the workplace, I suppose it's kind of a trade-off between the maximum output of the economy, and equal distribution of wealth. The more you tend towards equality of outcome, you start moving along a spectrum, from capitalism, towards socialism, and at the other extreme, communism. I don't suppose it'll be sensible to argue why one model should be better than another, each of them are with their own rationales, and their own limitations.

Aquaswim, it's not jargon, neither should it be "out-of-character" for anyone to take a step back to examine and philosophize over things. It helps a person have a better understanding of the ideals he/she hold.

WallStGolfer31 · #8 (**permalink**) 05-13-07, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aquaswim47

.......I'm more the 6.5 day weeks type of guy........I am a stark believer in capitalism and believe that people should work like if its their own business. In other words, I want an employee whose going to do the job, do it right, and want to be cooperative even if the employee disagrees with me. I think cooperation and diligence is more important than an individual who always agrees with you. It is imperative that you have self-motivated employees that have the drive to act appropriately.

Sounds like a world of mindless drones to me lol. Working so much, for what? Happiness? I think not. There's so much beauty in the world, and none of it is found in the workplace.