I have come to suspect that Big Business is generally a bad thing. Lest you think I've eschewed my former beliefs and become a socialist, I hasten to say that my doubts about that traditional American (and now global) institution spring from my conservative evangelical Christian worldview, which emphasizes the importance of religion, relationships and well-roundedness over material accumulation and social honors. I think this comes out in the solution I will offer, which is not to increase government regulation on the market. My complaints with such businesses are two-fold. (Please notice that m
y concern is with big businesses in general and not any particular business.)
First, I think that the kind of work folks have to get done to make a big business run is way too much. To take a company from good to great (to borrow a phrase from Collins' excellent business book) the CEO, President or boss has to work 70-80 hour work weeks. To keep a big company functioning many have to have jobs that require long hours of work for extended periods of time. If the money is good enough, as well as the honor of being a corporate officer, starry-eyed men and women will line up in droves for such positions. Taking this kind of job, however, means that one won't be able to develop a healthy, flourishing family life or cultivate deep friendships or spend time in reading great literature or exposing oneself to lovely art.
Even if these jobs do not necessitate an exhorbitant work week, commitment to the company often demands odd hours and constant attention. Cell phones with email become shackles and company mission statements become creeds. Big and growing busineses need their employees to produce this much because to grow at a level that meets their own amitions or those of stock holders requires utter devotion.
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