[NT] A company with an NTP ideology?

[Cypocalypse]

"Can a bank really stand for something? Can it balance its ambition with its conscience? To do what it must. Not what it can. As not everything in life that counts can be counted. Can it not only look at the profit it makes but how it makes that profit? And stand beside people, not above them. Where every solution depends on each person. Simply by doing good, can a bank in fact be great? In the many places we call home, our purpose remains the same. To be here for people. Here for progress. Here for the long run. Here for good."

-- Standard Chartered Bank

What do you guys think of this statement?
Press Release or a feasible undertaking?

 

[INTPness]

Absolutely agree with it. If I have to start a mundane business that just meets the status-quo and does "business as usual" (nothing out of the ordinary, nothing exceptional), then I'd rather just stay home and watch TV. 90-95% of businesses that are out there are what I would call "status quo". They're not really "alive", they're just functioning "good enough" to keep a profit rolling in. There is no real thought in regards to "are we making a difference" or are we really being exceptional in our field. If you're not going to be exceptional, why even start a business? Why bother? Why trouble yourself?

 

[Mr. Sherlock Holmes]

That sounds like a good ideology, and I think NFPs and in fact most people would also agree with it. But is it really what they want or is that just to reel people in? Advertising can sometimes bend the truth a bit. Every company will want it's customers on it's side, even if they really shouldn't be.

 

[lets eat pie]

Great marketing pitch but an empty statement, nevertheless. Anybody can hire a writer to write inspiring manifestos. The bottom line is, they are still selling a service and unless there is proof that their activities reflect their ideology, then it's just an emotional appeal to bring in customers.

A lot of advertisements lately are taking this approach of having the company appear as if they work better or more effectively than other businesses; that they are on your side and not the side of big business. No matter how good it sounds, if all they present are emotional statements of their mission to make the world a better place, it's just groundless self-promotion.

 

[INTPness]

Great marketing pitch but an empty statement, nevertheless. Anybody can hire a writer to write inspiring manifestos. The bottom line is, they are still selling a service and unless there is proof that their activities reflect their ideology, then it's just an emotional appeal to bring in customers.

A lot of advertisements lately are taking this approach of having the company appear as if they work better or more effectively than other businesses; that they are on your side and not the side of big business. No matter how good it sounds, if all they present are emotional statements of their mission to make the world a better place, it's just groundless self-promotion.

How do we know that it's an empty statement? It could be an empty statement meant to bring in customers, but could also just as likely represent the business and it's true mission. There are businesses out there who conduct business in this fashion. They aren't the majority, but they are out there. They do exist. And they usually do well.

 

[lets eat pie]

How do we know that it's an empty statement? It could be an empty statement meant to bring in customers, but could also just as likely represent the business and it's true mission. There are businesses out there who conduct business in this fashion. They aren't the majority, but they are out there. They do exist. And they usually do well.

Yes but if every bank puts out statements like this, and in reality few follow it, then there is more than enough reason to be skeptical. I know there are banks out there that actually do follow such "doing good" ideologies, but they are in the minority. Grameen Bank is one such example but I know that they do because they actually back their mission statement with statistical evidence of their success and fidelity to their ideology. FairTrade is another example. Both of these organizations not only give their mission statements, but also outline how they carry out their ideology.

The majority of banks, however, are still businesses working primarily for profit-- not to be your best buddy. They need to point out how their procedures make them different from other banks and how that can be an advantage to their customers; not just pouring honey in your ears. They can play up their image however they like but look at how many banks have failed in the past few years. Especially because of this, and the current economic situation, they need to earn the trust of their customers that they will help them with their situations and back their claims. This example statement, however, is nothing but meandering philosophical rhetoric. It does not explain even minutely how they are working for "progress," or how and for whom they are "doing good."