Business heroes

It seems that the world is running out of heroes. Global politics is dominated by the growing number of Trumps and Putins. In science, aside from Stephen Hawking, there does not seem to be any Einsteins or Galileos. In the fields of entertainment and sports, there are countless celebrities but none of them appear to be heroes that can serve as role models and inspirations for a world full of conflicts. 

Wars and conflicts have become permanent features of today’s world; but, we do not have any military heroes or geniuses that can compare to a Hannibal, Rommel  Patton,  Rommel or McArthur. Space missions do not evoke the same heroic admiration for the modern astronauts in comparison to the awe we felt for a John Glenn or a Neil Armstrong. 

Perhaps, it is time that we look to the world of business and management for our generation’s heroes. Think of the effect on our daily lives by companies like Microsoft, Apple, Twitter, Facebook, and Twitter. In the Philippines, the daily lives of the majority of Filipinos have been impacted by business firms like SMART, Globe, MERALCO and ABS-CBN.  Filipino behaviour and  culture is being influenced by malls like SM, Robinson and Ayala; fast food outlets like Jollibee and  McDonald’s; and, consumer companies like San Miguel, Procter & Gamble, Unilever, Pepsi-Cola and  Coca-Cola.

But this is not surprising because the world is what it is today, to a large extent, because of the efforts of men and women in business. Morgen Witzel, who wrote the book Builders and Dreamers wrote:

“ Commerce, trade, industry – call it what you will – has been every bit as important in the history of civilization as a war, politics, diplomacy, religion, the arts and science: in fact, business interests have often been behind developments in these other fields. In the Middle Ages, it was businessmen who opened up the age of discovery; in the 18th century, it was businessmen who inaugurated the great technological advances of the Industrial Revolution. Without business, there would have been no Renaissance, no Reformation, no Enlightenment, no great Victorian age of science.”

Even in this decade, our culture is  being reshaped, not just by ISIS and the strong men taking over governments, but also by pioneering business giants. The list includes the technology business pioneers like Steve Jobs of Apple, Bill Gates of Microsoft, Mark Zuckenberg of Facebook and Jack Dorsey of Twitter, Jack Ma of China, Yun Jong Yun of Samsung Electronics, and Ratan Tata of the Tata Group.

After nearly two decades, Jeff Bezos has created a global, online retailing giant – AMAZON – which is now causing a decline in shopping in malls and department stores.  Online shopping is becoming more widespread even in developing countries. Aside from online shopping, businesses companies like PayPal are also leading the world to a cashless society.  

It is true that businesses have been responsible for many of the traumatic problems the world is now encountering. Some examples are  the ravaging of natural resources through irresponsible mining and logging; global warming and climate change brought about by massive pollution caused by manufacturing and cars that do not meet emission standards. But it is also a business leader – Elon Musk – that will make electric cars a reality. 

Even in the Philippines, some of our greatest success stories were the result of visionary businessmen. The most successful urban planning and development site in our country is still the Makati business and commercial district. This was not the result of government planning. It became a reality because of the vision and perseverance of Joseph McMicking – a Filipino  business hero. 

The pioneer and principal champion of renewable energy development in the Philippines today is again not government but another business leader – Oscar Lopez – whose love of country and desire to leave a better world for the next generation has led his corporation to focusing on developing renewable energy – geothermal, solar, wind – rather than energy sources that pollute the environment. 

It is also true that many businessmen have used their wealth solely to accumulate luxury goods or to pervert the political system through bribery and corruption. But there have been business leaders who have used their great wealth and management skill to get involved in philanthropy that have also changed people’s lives for the better. The Rockefeller and Ford Foundations are well known institutions. Today, Warren Buffet and Bill Gates have teamed up to make their philanthropic efforts that have wiped out some diseases. 

Management has been accused by many of elitism; and, businesses are said to care only about profits and not society as a whole. Even Pope Francis has attacked capitalism and said that the trickle-down theory does not work. Even Bill Gates recently explained that the climate crisis will not be solved by the free market system. He said that only socialism can save the climate because the private sector is too selfish and inefficient. At the same time Gates plans to spend $2 billion of his own wealth on green energy investments. 

Business like any other fields – politics, war, science, art – has its share of heroes and villains. Perhaps, in this world of drastic technological change and increasing gap between the rich and the poor, it is from the world business that we hope to look for the heroes of our generation. 

Creative writing classes for kids/teens and adults

Young Writers’ Hangout for Kids & Teens on May 20, 27 and June 3  (1:30-3pm/independent sessions).  Creative Writing Workshop for Adults with award winning fictionist Susan Lara will be on June 17 (1:30-4:30pm).  All sessions are at Fully Booked Bonifacio High Street.  For registration and fee details text 0917-6240196 or email [email protected].

Email: [email protected]