Musings of Capitalism

[Paper Shredder]

Haven’t been super active on here as of late and to be honest.... been slipping on training as well (I promise I honestly have zero time). Couldn’t really find a good place for this post so I figure here so it doesn’t detract from martial discussions.

So I’ve taken a new gig... about 1 year into it. New role / new equity group / toddler = no time. New category of business (will maintain a bit of OPSec) but this is pertaining to a new partner of 511 on the apparel side that is a new partner of my business in the hunting / fishing side.

Long story short... this week I’ve had to basically convince the board that we were going to enter hunting and we have to have a gun on some of the marketing material.... the hypocrisy is that most of the company is pretty pro gun.... bank folks are mostly NY Jews (typical)... but they usually don’t care about political agenda unless it hurts their pockets. Those guys actually love coming to Georgia and sending a few rounds down range in anger.

So the marketing team works up a full comprehensive commercial strategy and I get into it a bit with the board on why we don’t want a “stance” on guns.... I frankly tell them it’s just a picture depicting a lifestyle that we want to sell product to those who live such lifestyle. But I had to basically talk them down on the shotguns / rifles and agree (literally a f*cking week wasted on justification, research, market data, etc). Here I am feeling beat but victorious in having won a small battle... sheese. Why does this even have to be a thing?

[EDELWEISS]

Congrats on the new gig. Welcome to the world of capitalism and the political debate on guns-Hahahaha. I think you hit it square when you said they only care about $$$ and see any debate as costing money.... For most folks there are no principles when it comes to making/losing money, at least not anymore. It used to be different; but not anymore. Maybe that's a good thing, I don't know; I just know that's not the way it used to be.

Principles used to matter. We used to make decisions based on who we were dealing with, some still do; but it seems many most don't care.

[fidalgoman]

Just my opinion but I think Ayn Rand had some very good points if not a bit over the top at times when it comes to Business/Capitalism. Worth looking up. Business is business. It's not a charity although you can spend your personal earnings any way you please. For the most part it's not a political pulpit unless that's your first cause and you use capitalism to support your agenda. Black Rifle Coffee Company is a good example of such. And profitable too if you please. Look for examples and steal their ideas.

That said, guns, fishing poles, trophy shots, etc if part of your key business or target audience can allow you personal expression of interest or principle. You can also be selective on what you advertise to various markets as well. We go forward in commitment not fear of what detractors may say. Best to know who you are, what you believe in and live that way. God Bless.

[Gabriel Suarez]

Mine


Just my opinion but I think Ayn Rand had some very good points if not a bit over the top at times when it comes to Business/Capitalism. Worth looking up. Business is business.

Yup...business is business...there is no "cause". There is no "movement". There is only business and that involves making a profit. So many gun people, that are supposedly conservatives and "of the right" have such an aversion to anyone making a profit that they are defactco gun commies. I'd rather cater to liberals that want to spend money than to these "gun commies" that pinch the penny until Lincoln craps on the floor.

It's not a charity although you can spend your personal earnings any way you please. For the most part it's not a political pulpit unless that's your first cause and you use capitalism to support your agenda. Black Rifle Coffee Company is a good example of such. And profitable too if you please. Look for examples and steal their ideas.

When I teach instructor classes I tell people that they are idiots if they turn their business into a political platform. If a Lesbian, Goth couple with green hair, pierced eyeballs and an Obama sticker on their car show up to buy a couple of $2000 red dot pistols, do you know what I would do? I'd be nice to them, offer them some Starbucks while we process their transaction and sell them the pistols. I will also say that while "Black Rifle Coffee" may be a great little idea...I have yet to drive past a "Black Rifle Coffee Shop". Even here...beyond the wall...there are five Starbucks withing a ten minute drive.

That said, guns, fishing poles, trophy shots, etc if part of your key business or target audience can allow you personal expression of interest or principle. You can also be selective on what you advertise to various markets as well. We go forward in commitment not fear of what detractors may say. Best to know who you are, what you believe in and live that way. God Bless.

True. One thing I learned a long time ago is that what you do, and who you are do not need to be the same thing. Sometimes it is...but that is not required. The other5 thing I learned was from the great American philosopher Tony Stark - "Do what the f*ck you want because people are assholes and will judge you regardless".

Cheers

[Paper Shredder]

Mine

Gabe,

What you are and what you do do not have to be the same.... I’m 1000% in agreement.

I had to “selectively” encourage the team to go with gun pictures that looked more tame and such to spin the traditional angle.

I even had to go with bow hunting images on some for select retailers that recently jumped on the liberal mainstream media train....even though bow hunting is far more niche and a smaller segment.

Just exasperated that I had to jump through hoops on such benign BS!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[UNO]

Gabe,

What you are and what you do do not have to be the same.... I’m 1000% in agreement.

I had to “selectively” encourage the team to go with gun pictures that looked more tame and such to spin the traditional angle.

I even had to go with bow hunting images on some for select retailers that recently jumped on the liberal mainstream media train....even though bow hunting is far more niche and a smaller segment.

Just exasperated that I had to jump through hoops on such benign BS!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I think this is the #1 misconception I continue to see that causes people such angst regarding work. ESPECIALLY among younger people. They feel that they are "insert whatever", and so that "insert solid pay, great benefits, future growth predicted" career "wouldn't work for them". It's like they feel like being excellent at your job is somehow tied to fitting in the box they associate with their job, as a person. It's why we have, in part, so many graphics arts designers with 4 years of college waiting tables and doing small projects on the cheap for friends, just like they were before college, because they ignored solid growth indicators among other professions that would have allowed them much more latitude with every aspect of life...that their employer didn't dictate.

As you found out, OP, you're exactly what your boss tells you to be/lets you be, when you're at work. Good luck to ANYONE having a full career where that aligns with who they see themselves as. Also, just because someone is self-employed doesn't mean they don't have a boss. It just means they have more paperwork and many, many more "bosses".

Mr. Suarez nailed it with his story about the proposed "atypical customer" and his solution. Work. Job. Do it. You don't have to get the T-shirt and wear it when you're at the beach, too, lol!

[EDELWEISS]

I'm not a business owner. I don't have to feed my family by my company profits, so I get the motivation to want to please everybody, hoping they give you money. It just that as a customer I find that you pleasing Them says FU to Me, especially with Left/Right issues. Wanna please the crowd, wanna go with this is how the community feels, OK; but youll loose part of the community.

Remember the story of the guy who wore a blue shirt and gray pants during the Civil War. When the North saw him they shot him in his gray pants and when the South saw him they shot him in his Blue shirt.... Theres no staying out of the debate, not for the long haul.

[UNO]

I'm not a business owner. I don't have to feed my family by my company profits, so I get the motivation to want to please everybody, hoping they give you money. It just that as a customer I find that you pleasing Them says FU to Me, especially with Left/Right issues. Wanna please the crowd, wanna go with this is how the community feels, OK; but youll loose part of the community.

Remember the story of the guy who wore a blue shirt and gray pants during the Civil War. When the North saw him they shot him in his gray pants and when the South saw him they shot him in his Blue shirt.... Theres no staying out of the debate, not for the long haul.

As long as you lose less customers than you gain/retain.

[WinstonSmith]

Yep, it’s all business.

And that means if your personal social media presence is for your career and politics won’t increase your personal market value and compensation, stay out of them.

[ZeroTA]

Yep. I’ve said before, there’s homes I know I would not have built if I had been vocal about politics or other issues. I’ve built for hardcore Democrats, anti-gunners, lesbians, gays, all races, and several religions (no Muslims yet though).

In a professional setting, I have opinions on your home and nothing else. Someone’s going to build it, might as well be me. I don’t care if you dye your hair purple, only color I see is green.

[Gabriel Suarez]

Mine...I don't please people so they give me money...I do what I do and really don't give a shit if it pleases you or not. I will bet you that if you displeased your wonderful chief sufficiently, you would either have been fired or been working morning watch property room. Want to know who any business wants to please...those who spend money...not the cheap motherf*ckers who spend nothing and then pontificate that they had been "displeased and thus didn't spend any money". F*ck the debate. I'd rather have 1000 liberals as customers that spend $1000 than 1000 snakeflaggers that want to get $1000 worth of stuff for $10 - because of some lofty "cause". Money talks and bullshit walks...


I'm not a business owner. I don't have to feed my family by my company profits, so I get the motivation to want to please everybody, hoping they give you money. It just that as a customer I find that you pleasing Them says FU to Me, especially with Left/Right issues. Wanna please the crowd, wanna go with this is how the community feels, OK; but youll loose part of the community.

Remember the story of the guy who wore a blue shirt and gray pants during the Civil War. When the North saw him they shot him in his gray pants and when the South saw him they shot him in his Blue shirt.... Theres no staying out of the debate, not for the long haul.

[Greg Nichols]

I think this is the #1 misconception I continue to see that causes people such angst regarding work. ESPECIALLY among younger people. They feel that they are "insert whatever", and so that "insert solid pay, great benefits, future growth predicted" career "wouldn't work for them". It's like they feel like being excellent at your job is somehow tied to fitting in the box they associate with their job, as a person. It's why we have, in part, so many graphics arts designers with 4 years of college waiting tables and doing small projects on the cheap for friends, just like they were before college, because they ignored solid growth indicators among other professions that would have allowed them much more latitude with every aspect of life...that their employer didn't dictate.

As you found out, OP, you're exactly what your boss tells you to be/lets you be, when you're at work. Good luck to ANYONE having a full career where that aligns with who they see themselves as.

Yep, people find it odd that I'm a manager at a large financial institution after being around me off hours, hell I've even been told by people they were surprised that I wasn't a button man for the CIA.
Who I am wouldn't be supported where I make my living, that's why I teach, Train, and associate with the people I do.

[Gabriel Suarez]

I've even been told by people they were surprised that I wasn't a button man for the CIA. .

Part time work doesn't count....

[Paper Shredder]

I think the message is clear and I’ve been on board this whole time. I’m keeping my eye on the prize.... and that’s to add value and sell this company at a 8 multiple... no matter what it takes.

I literally don’t care what the bubbas of the world think of my 2A beliefs.... I have my guns... I’ll continue to keep my guns....my children will continue to have the guns....I don’t have an obligation to protect the Mosin Nagant, $400 AR w/no optics, Crocs wearing idiots rights.... in the mean time, I’ll sell my wares as needed and live gloriously Bon Vivant.

[Greg Nichols]

Do what's right even when it's not right. Own the decision and articulate it. The remainder is mental masturbation.

Be an adault or let others make your decisions. Are you a grown person or a child?

[Gabriel Suarez]

Not in the Ping Pong Mood