Bag's Rants

A business decision made by the managers.

Just been reading Americablog and their campaign against Ford for their perceived bigotry. It seems to be a common theme in America lately with Microsoft being caught as well as a couple of others.

It made me think that we don't get much of that over here. The biggest thing that seems similar, in context rather than size, is the DVD's which were banned by Sainsbury's and Woolworths due to roughly ten complains from people.

My original thoughts on the DVD's were that as independent companies they can sell, or not sell, what they want providing that it is legal. We all go on about freedom of choice and shout about perceived censorship when they are doing it. I must admit I was surprised how quick they bent over and took it but that is a sign of the management strength and their opinion on marketing. Now that significantly more than ten have written in to complain will they have an about face? As independent companies they will stick to the line they think will make them more profits in the future and good luck to them. I don't buy DVD's from either of them anyway.

Meanwhile, in America, Ford seems to be doing exactly the same thing but the stakes are more likely higher. Nobody in the UK is going to do anything bar whine. It's what we do. People rely on it. You don't think Bliar would do what he does without that as a basic understanding. Americans on the other hand are more active. A few years ago it was all fellow man and it didn't matter if he was singing a different tune. Now, with the fundamentalists gaining power, it's all backing away from that sort of thing and I don't blame them. Again, a few bloggers shouting about it is not the same thing as a bunch of Christians, some in power, who can have a major influence on your business. Again, they need to make a call for what is best for their business.

That's one of the problems with putting stakes in the ground. They are there for people to see and some people won't like where they are and some people won't like them being moved and if you are a big enough company people don't like not knowing where the stake is either. They can't win and the funny part is you don't feel sorry for them in the slightest.

posted by Bag @ 11:28 pm