Mission Impractical

Just the other day I was stuck in a conversation with this chap who was ranting about how capitalism has destroyed the fabric of humanity. This guy went on and on about how all the big corporates worry about is how to make higher profits and don't give a damn to the environment, the employees and humanity in general. "Capitalism has destroyed the fabric of humanity I say!" he spewed. I didn't even know that humanity had a fabric! Now capitalism has gone and destroyed it too...what a shame! Maybe it made some holes in it, so now we have a holy fabric of humanity. Which explains why some people are bent upon destroying whats left of humanity in the name of religion. Its all because of the holes in humanity's fabric which was put there by capitalism. Capitalism is the reason for all these holy wars!!! Damn! It is the root of all evil like my haranguing friend had declared. I'm sure even the crop circles were made by capitalism. I gotta meet this capitalism guy whoever he is.

Anyways, I somehow managed to escape his tirade through one of the fabric holes by pretending that I was due for an enema. A couple of days ago, I was going through the net when I came across this Mission Statement of one of the biggest corporates of our times - "Enable people and businesses throughout the world to realize their full potential". Say, that's a noble thought! I searched for a few more of this sweetness. Here is the gist of what I found. (Its not verbatim but distilled after filtering out the more bombastic words and euphemisms) -

"To delight our customers with our value added offerings"

"To improve the lives of people around the world."

"Be a source of excellence for our customers"

"To create value for the Company's shareholders"

"To exceed our customer's expectation every time"

"Make a positive difference in our customers’ lives"

See, none of these companies are there to make money! They are there to help humanity, to keep its fabric intact. Each one of them are out to delight the customer and change the world. That they make millions in the process is only incidental. I should call my friend up and ask him to get in touch with one of these philanthropic yet capitalist organizations. Maybe they'll help him mend the fabric he was so passionate about.

So the next time you want to be delighted...or your life to be changed...or your potential to be realized...you know where to go. And if they charge you, remind them of their purpose of existence, their mission, vision, pulse rate, temperature and BP. Tell them that in reality, you should be charging them for helping them to achieve their mission. But then, don't charge them, tell them instead that its your mission to enable the organizations of this world realize their mission.