Unedited
10/11/11

Home 

Small Business Ethics

               TOB

 

 

Types of Businesses

Types of Businesses

Mom & Pop
Here the owners call the shots. These types of business more often than not are socially responsive to the needs and sensitivities of the community. A mom & pop business is so closely integrated into the nearby community that there is little room for deceptive and dishonest business practices. Their pricing is not cost analyzed.

Sole Proprietor
Here the owner sets business policy. The success of the business is tied to the reputation the business grows in the community. Sole proprietors who work in the trades are distant from the moral scrutiny of the neighborhood and therefore have more opportunities to deviate from acceptable ethical standards. The pricing of materials and labor is not cost analyzed while in some cases it might be arbitrary and opportunistic.

Informal Business
Many times a small business that is just starting up tries to build a reputation in the community by presenting themselves as friendly and responsive to the customers’ needs. The pricing is not arbitrary but it can vary from customer to customer as the business owner’s gives special consideration to each of their clients.

CA, Cost Analyzed.
A cost analyzed business is a formal business that systematically organizes the pricing policy. Here, the goal of business revolves around profits not necessarily about people. Nothing can be said about cost analyzing except to point out the nature of the intimate relationship between the buyer and seller has changed from that of an informal business.

RCA Radically Cost Analyzed
A radically cost analyzed business aggressively maximizes the profit for each sale. Here "charge what the market will bear" determines the price. Profits weigh heavily on thinking to the point the client or customer might feel used and in the future seek out a more customer responsive business. When savvy consumers are looking for an auto repair shop they are careful to note how detached and distant the business is to their needs. From experience consumers learn the downside of radically cost analyzed businesses.

RCA-2 Radically Cost Analyzed with upward growth
These radically cost analyzed business tend to be socially responsible business that charge a lot for their products or labor but reliably deliver a service or make good on defective merchandise. There is a reasonable balance between profits and people. Customers often go away with a feeling of great satisfaction while being quite aware of the expense of the product or service. They charge a premium and deliver premium products and services.

RCA-3 Radically Cost Analyzed with a downward spin
Criminal enterprises generally fit this category. The guiding principle is "charge what the market will bear." Bait and switch advertisements are often evident. Padding time cards and charging for materials not delivered are also evident. The owner and employees remain somewhat distant from the customers feigning friendship while betraying the trust they build in their client base. Such businesses are often mismanaged forcing them to justify bad behavior in the name of survival.

FB-C Family Businesses with ties to the community

FB-E Exploitive Family Business

Note: Many categories to be added this year

 
 

 
 
     

Copyright © 2008
Dianic Publications
Berkeley, California