When is it okay to intervene?

Watching the debate last night I had an epiphany. When is it okay to intervene in peoples’ lives? On one side we have the pro-lifers who want to protect an unborn fetus from harm, from the moment of conception but will be unmoved to help a starving three year old. Then there is this notion that government need to stay out of people’s lives, most of all, in anything related to the economy or the market. This group believes the dollar is the ultimate litmus test of whether a venture is worth attention or not. This group only believes in looking at their immediate entourage, close family members only – distant relatives need not apply. Big business, trickle down economy, free market, etc.

On the other end of the spectrum there is the group that believes they stand for the community. They stand for people making the choices in their lives but government is the watchdog and referee of the people. Standing between big greedy business against the small working class man. Standing for pay equity, pro-choice, and social programs designed to improve the lives of the least fortunate. Those in the position to help have a responsibility to do so, just as they would for an immediate family member who met a bump on the road. Be it an unexpected health related hardship or a unforeseen economic downturn or worst a random accident. This same group will allow choice in the matters of abortion but will want support for your child to go to school.

What is the answer?  When is it okay to intervene?  How soon should we get involved to help the least fortunate?

The recent events seem to point to a polarizing of society on this subject - what is the solution?

Linking Personal Behaviour to Business Behaviour

I am often amazed when speaking with business upper management how they don't make the connection between their own behaviours to their business.  I was once trying to get a VIP of a very important, very large business network to see that he was missing out on a huge online market.  After almost a year of avoiding me, he finally relented and gave me 5 minutes to hear my pitch.  During that time he realized that what I was telling him made sense as that is exactly how he behaved online.  Once we were able to make that connection, I am not sure if it is because he was embarrassed but he promptly told me he would have his agency look into it.

I tried my very best to make him feel like he was not the only one who thought that way but I guess that was not sufficient.  I wish I had found another way to engage him to endorse him on how I could have helped him.