I’ve always believed that business is more than just buying and selling. It is also about the connection you created with people, how they trusted your brand and how you are doing the right thing, having a business is more than having profit alone, you need to know how prioritize your customers than what you are selling, by doing this I believe that most customers will come back and even refer your brands to other people. To the question of the day should a business focus more on making money or doing the right thing?
To be honest, this question is not easy to answer because we venture into business because of money but money alone is not enough when dealing with people. A business cannot survive without profit. If there’s no income, how will the staff get paid? How will rent and other bills be settled? Even the owner needs to eat. So yes, profit matters. But at what cost?
I’ve seen businesses do terrible things just to increase their profits. Some lie in adverts, others sell expired products, and some underpay their workers just to save costs. At first, it may look like they are doing well. Customers may not notice the lies immediately. But over time, people begin to see the truth. And when trust is broken, it's very hard to rebuild.
Recently, I saw a post online where a customer was dragging a hair vendor. According to her, she paid a huge amount for luxury hair, only for the vendor to give her fake hair that tangled and shed just days after installation. The worst part? When she complained, the vendor blocked her instead of resolving the issue. That’s clearly a case of putting profit over ethics. The vendor saw the money, grabbed it, and didn’t care whether the customer got value or not. It was really sad.
To me, that kind of business mindset is dangerous. You may make quick money, but it won’t last. People talk, especially online. One bad review can damage years of hard work. And once your name is stained, it’s hard to clean it up.
I remember a time when I went to a cold room to get ice fish, I bought many of it but because it was cold I couldn't realized that the fish had already spoilt, when I got home I noticed a foul smell and when I opened my shopping bag I discovered that the fish are not good for consumption, I immediately returned it and the woman said she can never accept it, while I was complaining another person came with the same complaint, this woman told us that she can never change it for us because she must sell the spoilt ones before selling the new ones she got recently.
I was dumbfounded because she was so rude and lack manners, I left her shop without taking those fishes and since that day I never step my foot into her shop, I understand that she doesn't want to lose but what about my convenience, I bought many that will last us for two to three months because I love to store them in my refrigerator. Since then, I’ve always preferred to buy from places where I know they value honesty, even if their prices are higher.
The truth is, ethics make customers feel safe. When people know that a business cares about doing what is right, they are more likely to stay loyal. It’s not just about what is sold, but how it is sold. Even when a mistake happens, customers are more forgiving when they know it wasn’t intentional.
Some business owners don’t realize that good ethics and work relationship can bring long-term profit, they always think about what they get instantly leaving what they want to earn for ever, They want to get rich quickly, even if it means cheating people along the way. But the money made from dishonest means doesn’t last. Sooner or later, everything falls apart.
I believe businesses should care about both profit and ethics. But if I had to choose, I’d say ethics should come first because when people trust you, the money will follow.
***NOTE:- ALL THE PICTURES ARE MINE***
This is my response to this episode of hivelearners community prompt of #hl-w175e01 which the topic is tagged PROFITS OR ETHICS
