Should Business Have A Conscience?

I've had the conversation with a few different people about businesses paying their rightful tax.

This subject is interesting to me because we're small business and we meet our tax commitments without attempting to reduce that commitment through loopholes or other means, whereas, as we continually hear, many large companies use obtuse structures and tactics to significantly reduce what they need to pay.

I don't think that's right. I think companies operate within society, and only succeed because society works, and so the company owe the society in which they operate and make profit, and should pay their share back into it, to help keep it working.

But some people, in defence of the actions of those companies, say to me that it's up to the government to close the loopholes and, as long as the company isn't actually breaking the law, they should take advantage of any opportunity.

And that is a fair challenge I think. But I'm not sure I agree.

To stop companies doing that kind of thing requires specific laws to be set to rule out the practices which make it possible. That's time consuming and by its nature is reactionary. By the time the laws have been passed, more than likely the clever people who help companies lower their tax burden will have found clever new ways to do so that don't fall foul of the new legislation.

So I wonder whether companies should act like a part of our society by choice. Shouldn't they operate with a conscience?

Conscience is loosely defined as a moral sense of right and wrong, viewed as acting as a guide to one’s behaviour.

As individuals, we are expected to behave morally and with a conscience. So why not business?

The argument against seems to be that business only has a responsibility to it's shareholders and to making profit. But is that right? A business isn't a person, but it is created by people and run by people. Should it not be expected to have the same responsibilities as a person?

At the moment it seems that people can start companies, and run them, but once it up and running, the company is an entity that is not judged by the same values that a person would be.

What do you think, dear reader, should business have a conscience – or is that just idealistic, hippy nonsense?

Artist with Alzheimers

In 1995, U.K.-based artist William Utermohlen was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. This is a difficult diagnosis and disease for anyone, but before his death in 2007, Utermohlen created a heart-wrenching final series of self-portraits over a roughly 5-year period documenting the gradual decay of his mind due to this crippling disease.

“In these pictures we see with heart-breaking intensity William’s efforts to explain his altered self, his fears and his sadness.” - an extract from an accompanying essay by the artists widow Patricia.

(source: http://www.boredpanda.com)

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I want my Campaign

In the absence of Campaign magazine this week - I thought I'd bring you sup to speed on Industry current affairs.

Bong.

Dave Trott steps down from The Gate.

Bong.

Adam and Eve DDB win Virgin Atlantic.

Bong.

Christina Hendricks takes over as the new face of Sheba cat food. At no point does any reconstituted meat product get thumbed into her cleavage.


Bong.

Great Ad For a Boat From A Whisky Brand That Thinks I'm a Twat

I drink whisk(e)y, and sometimes I will treat myself to an expensive whisk(e)y. So why do Johnnie Walker, who make whisky, some of it expensive, think that I'm a twat? That's the only explanation I can think of as to why they think this would get me to buy their expensive whisky.

I really want that boat now, though.

Oliver $ & Jimi Jules — Pushing On

Chomp on this video for Oliver $ & Jimi Jules directed by Ian Robertson.

Fantastically simple idea and execution.

Oliver $ & Jimi Jules - Pushing On (Official Video) from Ian Robertson on Vimeo.

Why Advertising Is 'Dead Last' Priority at Outerwear Marketer Patagonia

Following up on yesterdays post, I found an interview with Joy Howard - VP of Marketing at Patagonia - in Ad Age from December 2013.

"The best way to get people's attention is to be useful and show useful information that enhances people's lives but also shows real news,"

Amen Joy.

http://adage.com/article/cmo-strategy/advertising-dead-priority-patagonia/245712/

Barbican — Digital Revolution

The Barbican are soon to be hosting "the most comprehensive presentation of digital creativity ever to be staged in the UK." 

If the exhibition holds up to the brilliance of the posters designed for it, then we're in for a treat.

Photographs by the very talented Greg White.