Are we losing our heart over money?
Yesterday, I learnt about Inditex’s 1.2 billion turnover. The first thing I unconsciously did was to comment on the piece of news about the fast-fashion retailer. I said that it would be a great social contribution if Inditex’s owner, Amancio Ortega, invested some of these monies in the developing countries where the retailer has part of their clothes made.
I know we are talking business and solidarity does not seem a term that goes hand in hand with it, but Bill Gates is a great predecessor that leads by example on business-making and philanthropy. However, people started commenting on my piece of advice defensively adding that part of these dividends would be shared with Inditex’s employees. As it should be! It has been proven that bonuses are one of the best ways to engage employees and enhance productivity.
Anyways, this has nothing to do with Amancio Ortega. It has to do with the fact that people from developing countries are being exploited just to earn, if they ever do, a decent living. These people’s low salaries assure the highest margins which together with increasing sales rocket turnover.
And I think to myself: Why shouldn’t they have a better school? Why shouldn’t they have better roads? Why? So far as I know, 50% of Zara’s clothing is made in European (26%) and Asian (24%)[1] developing countries. I believe that my request is not outrageous at all as it is directed to one of the richest men in the world.
During my stay at Centre College (U.S.A.) I met an Afro-American student who was awarded with a 500K Bill Gates grant to pursue a college education. Thanks to this opportunity, he was able to break the cycle of poverty through education and scale the social ladder. Hence, I strongly believe that successful business people and companies should be able to offer opportunities and better lives to those who are unable to do it on their own.
Happily enough, this morning I woke up Jeröme Jarre’s initiative of helping Somalia which has become real thanks to the hashtag #LoveArmyforSomalia. This is what I am talking about! If we have the means and the opportunity of helping others, we should do it.
Closing our eyes and wishing for a better world makes us feel good but there is nothing else as ACTION. Donate for Somalia.
This is also a shout out to 9others which is helping entrepreneurs worldwide in order to inspire and make entrepreneurship a less bumpy ride as challenges and problems are discussed and collectively solved over a 9other dinner. If you want to become a host and make a change in other entrepreneurs’ lives, drop us a line at cristina@9others.com or matthew@9others.com.
[1]Zara clothing company supply chain by SCM Globe. http://blog.scmglobe.com/?page_id=1513
