There are an increasing number of people writing about the wonders of pro commerce. All of them recognize the profound importance to society and the awesome power of commerce for good. Some recognize the individual benefits that I have singled out.
Because my pro commerce stance does not come from intellectual meandering, it looks different. My pro commerce stance comes from experience; it comes from actual operating businesses; several thousand of them.
I have found two elements of commerce than others have not found. First is the tripartite nature of commerce and second is the good-values direction of commerce.
There are three categories of commerce.
- The most ancient is ‘trade’. A stand alone business is usually involved in trade. A flower shop. Each transaction is the end goal; it must have enough margin of surplus revenue to keep the seller in business and renew the inventory.
- Another ancient one is ‘clientry’. A doctor or engineer are practicing clientry. Their goal is to provide the best service appropriate to the client for the lifetime of the client.
- The newest and most potent is ‘industry’. This form of commerce is based on reducing costs. Cost reduction is achieved by increased scale; large scale of production, large scale of marketing, technological improvements and managerial competence. It is found in every chain store operation and factory.
Commerce actually thrives when it incorporates four values: meritocracy, diversity, openness and preference for markets.
- Meritocracy means employing the most qualified person for the job or function. This is not the case where tribalism prevails or nepotism dominates.
- Diversity of human resources results in the greatest productive output of any business. Diversity refers to different skills and viewpoints and has nothing to do with gender or skin color. Diversity is what cities have to offer and why commerce has always thrived in urban areas.
- Openness is vital to any commercial operation. People who work together must be open with each other. Secrecy between workers and hostility are counterproductive. The same is true for all relations with suppliers, advisers and consultants. Openness is vital for learning, shared competence and innovation.
- Lastly modern commerce thrives on markets. Markets allow for survival of the superior and are an excellent form of communication and education.
The greatest sum total benefit of modern commerce is that it allows each individual human to grow and develop to their greatest potential. In pre-commercial societies there are less than 100 occupations and labor practices. In modern commerce there are an infinite number of livelihoods and ways of life. Room for every talent and genius.