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Posted by Sarah Brown on 10 Aug '17

Do you want to run a good company?

Do you think business is about more than making money? What do you think makes a company good? Here are some of my ideas but I'd love to hear from you

Why do I ask? Because I need to know what you think a good company is and would you be tempted to buy/read a book about how to win by being good.

I am currently talking to a potential publisher of my book “Winning by being good” and they want to know how the book should be positioned. It’s not about CSR (corporate social responsibility) though it does get a mention – it is based on the premise that acting in a ‘good’ manner, some would say being ethical, will make you more successful in business in every aspect, from profits to impact and long-term security.

My thoughts are these about what would make you a good company.

It’s a given that you comply with the law but beyond that you will have a recognised purpose which is more than to make money – you will want to change the world for the people you serve.

You will be trustworthy, have clear values that are ranked and translate into behaviour. You are proactive, innovative, adaptable with a clear niche and positioning so that you make a sustainable profit. You are in it for the long term, you want to change the world.

Importantly you have good relationships, treating staff and suppliers well and others you impact including investors, neighbours and wider stakeholders. You are a good citizen and care about your environmental impact – it’s a bit weak but you're nice and beyond that inspirational in what you do.

It’s not about size or legal structure, I think the same criteria apply to sole traders, multi nationals, charities, social enterprises and the public sector.

I want to get to people who want to run organisations like the one I describe above and I think that there are lots of people who do, the majority in my experience want more than money they want to make a difference.

So if you are one of those people what would make you pick up my book and read it? Because I want to change the world by helping businesses to grow in a way that is good and that won’t happen if no one reads my book.

If you want to find out more details about the Responsible Organisation Charter(c) which is the diagnostic developed from the principles that the book is based on you will find these interesting:

Responible Organisation Charter

Seven Reasons to be good in business

Sustainable profit

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