Philanthropic principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Philanthropic principles - Essay ExampleCadburys had had an impressive track record of employee benefit schemes and other philanthropic activities. But, unfortunately, such a philosophy is seldom seen in the business world today, where avarice overcomes any humanitarian impulse. This essay will argue that the corporate culture and business philosophy followed in Cadburys during the 19th century is impossible to apply in the present times. When flush toilet Cadbury started the corporation posterior in late 19th century, he had a vision that was consistent with the principles outlined in Quakerism. Quakers believed that a commitment to communal welfare is essential for attaining divine grace. As a result Quakers were proactive philanthropists, including John Cadbury. He implemented a huge housing project on a scale of great hundred acres of land so as to provide all his employees decent dwelling conditions. Even his sons George and Richard Cadbury espoused the olfactory perceptio n of Quakerism in their managerial decisions. For those early generations of Cadbury managers, profits were not everything. But today, it is impossible to think of corporate leadership to belong in the same league as John Cadbury and his sons. (Bacon, 1997) What we have today is vapid coin to project an outward good-will, which is in essence a garbed push for profits. Jargons such as cause-related merchandising, social marketing, altruistic marketing and public purpose marketing and corporate do-gooding arc unless some of the unhelpful terms universe thrown around these days. They are not true philanthropy as was carried out by John Cadbury and his sons. Even Cadburys former marketing director John Taylor admitted his concerns in 1992. By then, Cadburys had cut its charity roster to two World Wide Fund for spirit (WWF) and Save the Children. The long-term approach, rather than the immediate impact on the bottom line that others claim for incorporated Do-Gooding, was Taylors c oncern then. (Dwek, 1992) What Taylor observed two decades back has proved prophetic today, with the Cadburys sovereign brand being swept away in an aggressive takeover bid. The top management of companies like Cadburys believed in industrial democracy and worker engagement in key management decisions. Of the handful of companies that experimented with industrial democracy, Cadburys was outstandingly successful. These companies also had strong ideologies and a strong sense of social responsibility, which actually helped their profitability. Not save was Cadburys exemplary in this respect, but its arch rival in the chocolate diligence Rowntree as well. In these two companies, worker participation was directly linked to companys participation in social programs. There was a circular process through which quality products were created by happy and well-paid workers as well as healthy financial performance for the company. (Dwek, 1992) Public health and Christian principles were there fore among the push factors that transform chocolate from an expensive luxury into an increasingly common commodity. Many of the chocolate makers that started up in Britain in the nineteenth century were owned and managed by Quaker families. The philosophy and moral outlook of these founder entrepreneurs pervaded the industry for decades. (Witzel, 2009) In conclusion, in todays world of cut-throat competition under the spell of a prolonged economic recession, philanthropy