“Rationalizations”
Think back. Think WAY back. Remember when the shops around you used to be owned by families who lived in the area? There used to be a pleasant couple who sold you your bread and pastries, there used to be another guy and his two sons that sold you your tires, and yet another young couple that supplied you with your stationary needs. Nice times, eh?
[ If you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about then carry on surfing. But if you DO remember, continue … ]
I’m hereto tell you that ‘people’ don’t own businesses any more. Publicly traded corporations own businesses. If that didn’t sink in, I’ll say it again – PUBLICLY TRADED CORPORATIONS OWN BUSINESSES! Got it? Good.
Let’s take Kellogg’s for example (the Corn Flake / Rice Krispie company). Unless I’m mistaken, the two brothers that started the company up (last name Kellogg coincidentally) are long dead. Sure, there’s a few of ’em living off of massive inheritances who make occasional appearances on boards, but the two that actually conceived the idea that is today haven’t taken a breath for several years.
So who runs Kellogg’s? “Well, the CEO and the upper management of course.” WRONG. Look back a few paragraphs – do the words ‘Publicly Traded’ mean anything to you? If not, let me help you out — that means that they are traded and owned by the public, i.e. they are on some sort of stock exchange. And unless there is one person who owns more than 50% of the stock (there isn’t with Kellogg’s), the ‘public’ owns the company.
