Corporate Obligations

[DanS]

You would be distorting the market by not charging what the market will bear.

Can you live with that on your conscience?

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Re: Corporate Obligations

Originally posted by Japher
I want to start a business that would be directed at the Elderly, Handicapped, or those otherwise in need.

Every time I think about the possibility I feel ashamed, and think that it should probably be a charity or nonprofit service. However, when I talk to elderly people about it or about it to care givers of those who are old or handicapped they all think it is a good idea. Many people who can afford the service are too proud to take it as a charity, or want the same thing done that a charity does but quicker, better, or more stylish.

Still, it seems wrong.

Say I wanted to start a company that sells wheelchairs. How would I go about making that business profitable without taking advantage of those in need?

What would you do? Donate to charity? Offer cheaper recycled/retrofitted chairs?

Are you more obligated as such an organziation to contribute to charity or have a great compassion for humanity than other companies?

My father-in-law has built a multi-million-dollar business selling used and reconditioned medical equipment; it started as a brick-and-mortar operation, and is now exclusively an e-business. I don't think he takes advantage of those in need -- in fact, I don't think he's capable of taking advantage of those in need, unless they're beautiful women (and even that's out now that he's married again). He sells to people who can afford to buy, deals with them fairly, prices his equipment reasonably, and offers great service to his customers. He's also a model employer who pays his 20-or-so employees very well and gives them a great benefits package.

I think there are ways to be an ethical businessman and make a positive contribution, and I think he is, and has.

Plus, he started his business because he needed to make a living -- no harm in that. And his business florished because he identified and met a social need -- again, no harm there.

As long as you pursue it ethically, there's nothing inherently wrong with your idea.

[Zkribbler]

[Jon Miller]

You should obviously start it as an employee owned Coop. And donate all profits that aren't reinvested to good causes.

Jon Miller

[Richelieu]

I'm a good cause.

[-Jrabbit]

Japher, you're being blinded by your pity for the differently-abled. To think that any legitimate service that meets their needs should somehow be less profitable than other goods and services they purchase -- It's frankly disrespectful to them, and treats them as less than human.

I suggest you go into this full-bore. The marketplace will determine appropriate pricing and profits. Then, if you find yourself getting rich, start a foundation or donate goods and services to existing charities to help those who can't afford it.

My experience with seniors is considerable, and I can assure you that (generalizing here, sorry) they value quality, good service and caring professionalism above all else. They want their needs met, and to be treated with respect in the process. They won't quibble over the dollars if you treat them like the human beings they are.

The fact that someone broke a hip, has avanced osteo degeneration, or had a stroke is a physical issue, nothing more. Seniors want help in overcoming their problems so they can have a good quality of life.

[Richelieu]

Originally posted by -Jrabbit
"... the differently-abled."

Quote worthy.

[Japher]

Thanks for the encouragement guys

I am looking on the web to try and find competitors and to start putting a business plan together.

[-Jrabbit]

Go you!

[Japher]

I started to do something

I went to www.sba.gov, bookmarked it, and that's about it... this seems too hard

[Pekka]

Well, if you're going to sell products, then try to cut the price low enough and quality high and provide great service, more than competitor. I can't see how you could do more than that.

If you're going to sell services, you can try to make the state pay for that stuff, maybe they are ready to give subsidys and pay you for doing what you do. Then, make sure you give maximum output for your customers (elderly, handicapped), so that it won't be tax payer money wasted, because at the end, it will be out of your customer's pocket anyway so just make sure you can keep up the quality of your service and that it will be valuable addition. Also use only customer friendly staff and staff that knows the special needs.

I can't see anything wrong with these. And you can make money with both models. In first, make sure they get bang for their buck and left with a smile in their face, in the second one, provide such quality service that is genuine and good, that leaves some money in their pockets and not use tax money as an excuse to lower that service quality (I'd get the same money even if I say FU to this customer).

[Pekka]

Just.. I know this guy who was a nurse first or something, then put on a service for special group of people.. now.. he made lots of money quickly and became one of the biggest earners in my old neighbourhood. He treated his employees like it was Taliban, I mean I liked the guy until I witnessed and heard more how he handled things. I have no respect for that man anymore, it makes me sick. Just sick. If someone would totally rob his ass, I wouldn't feel bad but good.

He was in it for the money only, because his service quality never got any better but his prices jacked up. His emplyoees never got a raise or benefits, so I wonder where the money went. I understand it's for profit but if you're jacking up prices, man... at least treat your emplyoees like people and freaking up the ante with the service.. that was more like extortion and now that I think about it, it WAS extortion. Using the special group of people as hostages. What a ****er!

[Japher]

I am looking into employee owned business models
definitly wouldn't screw the employees

yeah, the whole idea is to supply a service, that as far as I can see doesn't exist, in very polite and professional manner

[Pekka]

Well what's the problem then? Make good plan and execute it. If you are willing to treat your employees fairly in that same road, all the power to you. This all doesn't mean that you can't make money out of this. Just you know, as long as the quality is there, and employees treated well, and the customers aren't leeched to death, I don't see any problems making lots of money.

[Japher]

The name I was going to use for the company is taken!

One roadblock after another!