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Investors' behaviour

Have people changed the way they look at incentives and are now more short term focused? It seems like people are still focused on making money as they always were. That is not an accusation, just a fact. Investor's ultimate goal was always a financial goal, whether that was measured by IRR, NPV, number of cars or else, a financial return is what it is. It is about making money. By nature capital is the end, not the means, therefore why would it care about second derivative outcomes. Why would money have to create jobs, new markets,breakthroughs?

But if attitudes have not changed why are the outcomes different?  

Transparency has increased people's visibility on how others make money and making a quick buck became more achievable but also more desirable. Town heroes used be those supporting the village with jobs and businesses, not they are the billionaires. Everyone would prefer to be a 'nice' billionaire but if not, a billionaire will do. Building s business used to be about creating an enterprise, creating jobs, being sizable. Today not all these variables matter, because investor's don't put a price or even discount having these as variables in the game. 

Question is - is the new generation part of the answer? The fact they value work life balance, social impact and making a difference in the world more than our generation did? It is noticeable that the new generation (not mine unfortunately) is caring whether the place where they work gives back, has opportunities for community involvement, allows time for personal developent. That means all those things, in time, will have a financial value, the opportunity cost of attracting talented employees or avoid loosing good customers. That could change the game rules.

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Comments

Anonymous said…
By the bald guy ... Investors still only care about returns. But the manner in how the company is run has to be consistent with the needs of the work force, which also varies by country.
PS: proving I am not a robot is a big big pain!! Are you likely to get a lot of robots ;-) ?
02 February, 2014 23:16
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