We need to get serious about B2B, B2C relationships with fellow Gulch members
How many of us are putting our money where are values are? In other words, how many of us are trading with people and companies who share our values and principles?
I'm in the process of establishing a new independent agency for insurance and financial services based in the Sacramento CA region. I will need and benefit from a comprehensive network of other professionals and services to support my own business and serve my clients.
Despite the many challenges, injustices, and threats that exist in our world today, we must recognize (and embrace) the benefits and opportunities that still exist. One of those is the ability to seek out and do business with people & companies who share our values - locally and anywhere through the web. If we each don't bother to take the time and energy to invest that effort and act consistent with our values, what the heck are we doing here, I honestly ask you?? (I mean here on Galt's Gulch online, and here on this planet to be blunt about it.)
I just finished looking at all of the businesses listed in the Marketplace and will be making some phone calls to explore exclusive or preferred B2B arrangements. Within the next couple of months you should find me there, but I'm writing this quick post to say don't wait for that. Make a conscious decision to seek out, qualify, and build relationships with others who share your values beyond the immediate and superficial transaction. I'm very thankful we have this Galt's Gulch Online and saw the power of it immediately. We must turn this community into more than an online forum for news, commentary, discussion, and commiserating. The urgency is now. The time to create our own Gulch - from wherever we live - is now. I'm not getting paid to promote the Marketplace on this Gulch, it's for my own selfish interests. I want to find a comprehensive ecosystem of businesses and partners there who can help me survive and thrive in the years ahead. Let's get seriously focused and productive people! With integrity - meaning, with other people here in the Gulch. Who else is committed to that?
I'm in the process of establishing a new independent agency for insurance and financial services based in the Sacramento CA region. I will need and benefit from a comprehensive network of other professionals and services to support my own business and serve my clients.
Despite the many challenges, injustices, and threats that exist in our world today, we must recognize (and embrace) the benefits and opportunities that still exist. One of those is the ability to seek out and do business with people & companies who share our values - locally and anywhere through the web. If we each don't bother to take the time and energy to invest that effort and act consistent with our values, what the heck are we doing here, I honestly ask you?? (I mean here on Galt's Gulch online, and here on this planet to be blunt about it.)
I just finished looking at all of the businesses listed in the Marketplace and will be making some phone calls to explore exclusive or preferred B2B arrangements. Within the next couple of months you should find me there, but I'm writing this quick post to say don't wait for that. Make a conscious decision to seek out, qualify, and build relationships with others who share your values beyond the immediate and superficial transaction. I'm very thankful we have this Galt's Gulch Online and saw the power of it immediately. We must turn this community into more than an online forum for news, commentary, discussion, and commiserating. The urgency is now. The time to create our own Gulch - from wherever we live - is now. I'm not getting paid to promote the Marketplace on this Gulch, it's for my own selfish interests. I want to find a comprehensive ecosystem of businesses and partners there who can help me survive and thrive in the years ahead. Let's get seriously focused and productive people! With integrity - meaning, with other people here in the Gulch. Who else is committed to that?
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An open bidding board for goods and services with feedback would naturally attract “our kind” plus others that could see the light.
Negotiations outside of cash would inspire the Galt in all of us…
Mitch
the Gulch. I have seen very little evidence that Objectivists put much time
or energy into seeking out other Objectivists with whom to do business.
Here is something to consider when doing business with vendors (be they
large companies or mom-and-pop shops) that hold convictions that are adverse
to Objectivist principles. Assuming that these vendors are making a living or
generating profits from their business, it is likely the case that some portion
of these funds go to organizations (charities, churches, political causes or
any of myriad variety of educational projects) destructive of Objectivist principles
and the kind of society Objectivists would prefer living in.
Assuming all other things being equal (like quality of product and service, price,
etc.) and you had a choice of doing business with one in reasonable alignment
with Objectivism and one contrary to those values, why would you not do business
with the former? Granted, in many cases you don’t know. But why wouldn’t you
make some effort to find out?
Here is some food for thought and a topic on which I’d love to get some input
from fellow Gulchers. Objectivists tend to be quite independent. Indeed,
independence is a cardinal virtue. But is it possible to take that trait down paths
that are not self-serving? Objectivists often are inclined to steer away from
associations that might have overtones or even just appearances of any kind of
“groupism.” Why might this not be self-serving?
Consider the psychological concept of cohesion. Basically this is a trait that unifies
a group of people working toward common goals. I can just see some Objectivists
already cringing in horror at the very concept of cohesion. But before you reject it
out of hand, look up something about it. The findings might surprise you.
A significant aspect of all this is that not being cohesive may not be self-serving.
Why? Consider this tendency among cohesive groups of almost any kind be they
groups involved in sports, politics, military operations, commerce, or indeed,
organizations of any kind: THEY WIN.
I look forward to see what kind of product/service you’ll have to offer.