We hear a lot about the troubled history of capitalism but perhaps should be more concerned about the decline of caring, especially as coaches or consultants.
There is no need to worry about capitalism. It is in fine health and is likely to be until a nuclear holocaust or catastrophic ecosystem collapse. So-called anti-capitalist movements are on close inspection, different approaches to how we practice capitalism.
This blog advocates co-operation (scroll down to item 5), where capital is owned collectively. The Soviet Union practiced state capitalism. People do not have to own capital; it is still capital whoever or whatever owns it.
Western capitalist democracies advocate private ownership. On closer examination, this is not always what its advocates claim it is. Does salting huge sums of money in accounts offshore in the name of various corporations really count as private ownership?
Coaching and the Decline of Caring
I’m more concerned about the decline of caring. And by this I mean trends accounted for by denial of the needs of other people. Businesses ignore these trends at their peril because businesses that don’t care cannot thrive. Decline of caring is particularly challenging for coaches and consultants.
I don’t plan to write about the role of major caring professions such as health, social services or education. I oppose their privatisation because it is not possible to deliver these services through private enterprise. If you don’t believe me, look at health services in the United States. Governments should offer a well-funded, universal safety net. There will always be gaps in provision to be filled by private enterprise or voluntary sector projects.
Businesses that don’t care may have a short-term advantage but most businesses, if not caring from the outset, soon understand there is money in genuine caring. Coaches must base their business on genuine care for their clients. The client takes on the coach because they need help with some issue. The coach must care about the issue because failure is as much theirs as their client’s.
The problem is most business models focus on income generation at the expense of business purpose. The coach who does not aim for significant change for the better, is unlikely to offer a credible service.
Circulation or Accumulation?
As soon as businesses understand their role is to keep money circulating in the economy, they see caring is important. Damage to local economies and ultimately to community happens when there is less money in the economy. Money circulating is common wealth, available potentially to everyone.
Nobody setting out in business as a coach, consultant or freelance, will make much difference to their community, however financially successful their business becomes. But together many small businesses can make a massive impact.
It can be hard to see this impact because it is hard to attribute change in a locality to one particular business. Sometimes we don’t know what to look for. Maybe we must say, “We did this” and not “I did this”. How can coaches increase awareness of their contribution? How can they use their outcomes to market their business?
Starting next week, I shall take three aims every business should have: purpose, financial and lifestyle and show how they can be aligned with your offer, marketing, clients and wider community.
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Please comment and let me know what you like about this post. What would you like me to write about further?