Down on your knees or standing up?

‘How many of you are convinced that win-win business relationships are good for you?’ 90 percent of people in the room raised their hands. ‘Your minutes are numbered!’ – said the presenter.

This happened at a business event where nearly one hundred entrepreneurs from all sectors gathered. There attitude did not come as a surprise – this way of thinking led the world into the present economic crisis. In the long run, a sustainable growth cannot be achieved in a win-win relationship, as cooperating parties only have their own profits in mind. Throughout the years they learned that they can only maximise their own profits if their partners also feel that they made a good deal. It is enough if they FEEL that they made a good deal, even if in reality it is not – this is practically concealing a scam. For instance, a premium category car made 40 years ago will be as good as gold in 10-15 years time. Today’s cars were not manufactured to last.

There are two paths ahead of us: choosing principles which are light – these will makes us weak in no time and we will fall on our knees; choosing principles for our daily operation which require discipline – these will make us stronger and soon we will be standing up, firmly. A third party SHOULD also profit from our cooperation – be it the environment, our communities or different foundations.