Focusing on Creating Equitable and Just Business Partnerships

It can seem as though the only way to succeed in business is to subscribe to the "Survival of the Fittest" mentality. The idea being to destroy the competition and do whatever it takes to come out on top. Many businesses and companies have actually found MORE success, however, by striving to be fair, just and create business partnerships and relationships that are based on being equitable and considerate.

One only need look as far as Ben and Jerry's to see a good example of a business whose focus is on treating employees fairly and creating equitable and progressive relationships with other businesses, organizations and causes. This company not only strives for a decent bottom line, but also involves itself in giving grant funding to nonprofit projects and organizations and treating employees with fairness and a focus on living wages and equitable employment. Instead of trying to create a cheap product and sell to a mass market, they have, instead, worked to bring social justice to their company efforts.

When a business uses a moral compass to evaluate how they approach working relationships, customer contact and other partnerships and collaborations, the outcome can be beneficial on multiple levels. Not only do you have a clean conscious and freedom from worry about ethics issues and law-breaking, but the good will can also influence the bottom line in a positive way. More and more individuals want to spend their money with companies who care. Additionally, more and more companies, businesses and organizations WANT to work with ones they can trust and who are making a positive influence on the world around them.

Consider whether or not your business is focused on being equitable, fair and paying attention to things like sustainability, environmental quality, social justice and economic justice issues as you conduct the operations. While you can focus on these things quietly, you can also use them as strong marketing tools. Why NOT tell your customers how you are striving to pay attention to sustainability or making your business operations more "green?" Not only will this be impressive to your clients or customers, it may also inspire other businesses to pay attention to fairness and justice issues in their operations.