This is an amazingly thought-provoking article written by Mohanbir Sawney and published in CIO on November 15, 2002.
Eight years have passed. Corporates have weathered one more recessionary storm. Yet, the voice of wisdom speaking through this article seems to remain unheard. Unless you have a story to prove it otherwise.
This is a column about creating value. Like you, I spend a lot of my time thinking, writing and talking about value. But as I look at the crisis of confidence plaguing corporate America, I am forced to consider a deeper question?in our unending quest for value, do we have to compromise our values? What is the relationship between values and value? Indeed, what is the purpose of a business?
Of course, a business exists to create value for its customers and profits for its shareholders. But is profit the ultimate goal of a business? Does a business have a higher purpose? Can this higher purpose be reconciled with the profit motive? And can companies do well by doing good?
