Regardless of what you think of business and entrepreneurs, it would take a true radical to deny this obvious fact: We live in a capitalist society.
That means businesses, large or small, do not need to ask our permission to exist and make a profit, beyond meeting regulations and requirements outlined in our laws.
And entrepreneurs and their executives do not have to be liked by the Canadian people to be successful. It’s not politics.
So, if entrepreneurs want to open a new coffee shop downtown, they must meet the district’s requirements for businesses by opening in a commercial space and must pay business taxes. But they don’t have to ask the public, via referendum or any other means, for permission to open the business. The public doesn’t get a vote on their proposal.
And they don’t have to ask what types of coffee or other products they should offer (although, as market research, it’s a good idea that they ask their potential customers). They also don’t have to ask the public about how they might transport their supplies and products, as long as they meet all Canadian, provincial and municipal laws and regulations for shipping.
Ultimately, the success of the business will depend on significant factors such as demand for the product or service, market conditions including prices of supplies, the right labour pool and quality of management. And the business must be profitable enough for the entrepreneurs to continue, year to year. Poor management and planning, coupled with customer dissatisfaction, contributed to a spectacular business failure in Canada last week as Target announced it would close all 133 of its stores, putting 17,600 out of work.
On the other hand, a business cannot operate properly without the goodwill of the people in the community. A company that does not engage in corporate goodwill, that does not treat its employees and the community at large with fairness and respect, will find it difficult to operate peacefully and find the best people.
And a company that allows harm to the environment will find it difficult to attract the best and brightest to its staff. Employees will find it difficult to be accepted by some of their neighbours if the company breeds bad will.
In the end, a company can properly establish itself in a community and become profitable only if it has community support. In the end, the public does get some say, once the business begins operation.
– Christine Endicott
