WHY BUSINESS GOT A BAD NAME

A POLL OF SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S OUTSTANDING BUSINESS LEADERS RESULTED IN THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS ON WHY ONLY 16 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THE EXECUTIVES RUNNING MAJOR CORPORATIONS. RISING EDUCATIONAL LEVELS AND ECONOMIC EXPECTATIONS HAVE LED TO A QUESTIONING OF ESTABLISHED INSTITUTIONS. SUCH FACTORS AS INFLATION, THE ENERGY CRISIS, AND UNEMPLOYMENT HAVE MADE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE IMPACT THAT BUSINESS HAS ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE. THE PRESS HAS BEEN A FACTOR IN BRINGING TO THE PUBLIC'S ATTENTION MANY OF THE IRRESPONSIBLE ACTS OF BIG BUSINESS. EVEN THOUGH THE PRESS IS ACTING AS A CATALYST, SUCH PUBLICITY DOES NOT EXCUSE THE BAD BUSINESS PRACTICES, SUCH AS UNSAFE PRODUCTS, BRIBING OFFICIALS, ETC. THE BEST WAY FOR BUSINESS TO REGAIN PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IS TO CLEAN ITS SLATE AND OPEN UP ITS PRACTICES TO PUBLIC SCRUTINY. THE SECOND STEP IS TO ACTIVELY APPEAL TO AND WORK FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT.