Summary Of John Mackey's Putting Customers

A Critical Analysis of the Stigma of Writing Businesses have a significant impact on many communities around it, whether that impact is intentional or not. So, with that being said, should these businesses have a responsibility to society? To answer that question, John Mackey and T.J Rodgers both have written articles with differing views to give readers an understanding of what should be done in their minds. I’m going to break down both arguments respectively. In Mackey’s article “Putting Customers ahead of Investors” he begins by stating how the orthodox free market system functions according to Milton Friedman. Next, Mackey clearly states he is opposed to the current free market system in which, the only law that businesses must follow,

He then discusses the opposing side to his argument in which corporations should have no philanthropic interest and it is a violation to shareholders money if they do not handle it responsibly. He does agree with this viewpoint, and even says there is nothing wrong with it, it’s just that the argument is simply too narrow. In his own words, “First, there can be little doubt that a certain amount of corporate philanthropy is simply good business and works for the long-term benefit of the investors” (Mackey 453). He then follows up with an example in which his company, Whole Foods Market, holds a “5% day” where 5% of all profit for that day goes toward a non-profit organization of there choosing that follows their own beliefs. This philanthropic tactic increases the number of returning and new customers who become regulars; profits rise even though a percentage of it is given away for, in his eyes, a greater

Mackey compares his company to these ideals and is thus saying that his company gives back because it is a part of human nature to do so. Overall, he believes that all companies to take up this practice and that each individual corporation needs to find a balance between giving and profiting, as long as you give more that 0%. I find his argument to be Rogerian based as he with his own company and as he recommends to others to find a middle ground between how much they give and how much they profit for their investors, and states that the opposing sides argument is correct but can also take in some of his ideas to improve the corporate business structure and have everybody benefit. In his article, he creates an argument that most people wouldn’t find an opposition too, and leaves the reader in agreement with his ideas, who wouldn’t want everybody to benefit from a corporation? Why would somebody be opposed to a corporation keeping profits for the investors high and also giving back to the community who supports them. Well, in T.J Rodgers article “Put Profits First” we dig deeper into the other side of the