Cause for Corporate Optimism
Perhaps the biggest threat to the aggressive global dominance of big business is optimism - the belief that there is a better way to achieve a better world.
While many futurists are gloom and doom merchants, there is increasing proof that aggressive global big business is recognising they need to find a better way to do things. The rampant economic rationalists of the 20th Century can no longer claim it is the only way the corporate world is and must be.
Certainly there are powerful ec-rat enterprises and politicians out there and in here who still don't get it. We continue to be insulted by extravagent campaigns by the global nuke industry for us to be in their garbage dump. We have continued assault on our life support systems called forrests, rivers, oceans, the air - all in the name of profit.
As the Cree Indians say: Only when the last tree has died and the last river been poisoned and the last fish caught will we realise we cannot eat money.
But there is cause for optimism toward a healthy sustainable future. Two recent items of huge corporate significance have shocked multinational boardrooms (in Leverage Points, August 24, 2000, Issue 4).
The Ford Motor Company and 3M:Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing have made seperate startling announcements to forego short term profits in favour of long term environmental and corporate sustainability.
In May, William C Ford, Chairman of Ford Motor Company, admitted publicly that their sports utility vehicles - those 4WD macho monsters enviromentalist Amory Lovins calls Urban Assult Vehicles - contribute more to global warning, emit more exhaust, and endanger other motorists more than standard cars.
Currrently the vehicle of choice for 20% of Ford's American customers, these SUVs, says Ford, will continue to be produced to meet consumer demand but the company will redesign them to minimise the environmental damage they cause.
Pity the urban terrorists remain jurassic in their choice of transport, but at least Ford is open about the damage their vehicles cause and is willing to modify it. A small but mighty step on the highway to a healthy future.
Also in May - a busy month for corporate blood pressures - the 3M Company announced it will voluntarily phase out many of its popular Scotchgard produces. A chemical used in these products to prevent fabric, carpet, and leather from staining has been found by company researchers to accumulate in human and animal tissue, thereby posing a potential health and environmental risk.
Both Ford and 3M heavies emphasised the link between environmental and health issues, and long term profitability.
Undoubtedly this dramatic turn around by two global business biggies has been influenced by the recent enormous financial judgements awarded by juries against the tobacco giants for the health risk of their cigarettes.
Ford stated that it was important his company, unlike the cigarette companies, was seen to be behaving responsibly towards their consumers.
What corporate America does today, corporate Australia will likely do tomorrow. For once this may be good news.
Business News 14 September 2000
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