What Tom & Jerry tried to teach the world
Tom and Jerry is a classic cartoon series loved by many, but what if we look at it from a different perspective?
What if we see Tom as the ‘fat cat’ within us all, chasing Jerry (money) relentlessly?
In the cartoon, we see Tom trying everything in his power to catch Jerry, but no matter how desperate he becomes, Jerry always finds a way to avoid capture. Similarly, in real life, we often chase after money, believing it will solve all our problems and make us happy. But just like Jerry, money always seems to elude us.
The moral of the story is not to fixate on chasing money. Of course, we all need money to survive, but when we make it the sole focus of our lives, we risk losing sight of what matters. Instead of constantly chasing after money, we should focus on building meaningful relationships, pursuing our passions, and finding joy in the simple things in life.
Tom’s endless pursuit of Jerry reflects our own never-ending pursuit of wealth and material possessions. We convince ourselves that if we just had more money, we would be happier, but in reality, the pursuit of money can be a never-ending cycle of disappointment and frustration.
It’s important to remember that money is not the end-all-be-all. It can provide comfort and security, but it cannot buy us happiness or fulfilment. As the saying goes, “Money can’t buy happiness.” True happiness comes from within and is cultivated by our relationships, experiences, and the sense of purpose we find in our lives.
We should also avoid comparing ourselves to others and their material possessions. Like Tom, we may envy others who appear to have more money or better things than us. But this envy only leads to a negative mindset and a never-ending cycle of comparison and dissatisfaction.
Instead of focusing on what we lack, we should focus on what we have and be grateful for it. Gratitude is a powerful tool that can shift our mindset from one of scarcity to one of abundance. When we appreciate what we have, we realise that we have enough and feel content.
Furthermore, we should aim to find fulfilment in our work and passions rather than solely in the money we earn. When we enjoy what we do and find meaning, we feel a sense of purpose and satisfaction that money cannot provide.
When we focus on making a positive impact in the world, money comes to us naturally rather than us chasing after it.
In today’s world, consumers are increasingly conscious of businesses’ impact on society and the environment. As a result, there is a growing demand for businesses prioritising social and environmental responsibility. By becoming a business for good, companies can attract these socially conscious consumers and create a positive reputation for themselves.
In addition, businesses that prioritise social and environmental responsibility may also be able to attract and retain top talent. Many employees today want to work for companies that align with their values and make a positive impact in the world. By prioritising social responsibility, companies can create a workplace culture that attracts and retains these employees.
Furthermore, businesses can differentiate themselves from their competitors by focusing on making a positive impact. Businesses that stand out for their social responsibility in a crowded marketplace may have a competitive advantage.
Therefore the story of Tom and Jerry teaches us a valuable lesson about the dangers of fixating on money. Instead of endlessly chasing after wealth, we should focus on building meaningful relationships, pursuing our passions, and finding joy in the simple things in life. By doing so, we can find true happiness and fulfilment.
Becoming a business for good can be good for business. By prioritising social and environmental responsibility, companies can attract socially conscious consumers, create a positive workplace culture, and differentiate themselves from competitors. Ultimately, by focusing on making a positive impact, businesses may find that money comes to them naturally rather than them having to chase after it.
What is a Business for Good?
A business for good is a company that prioritises social and environmental responsibility and makes a profit. The primary goal of a business for good is to create a positive impact in the world while also generating revenue and sustaining the business.
Unlike traditional businesses that prioritise profit above all else, a business for good aims to make a positive difference in society and the environment. This can include reducing carbon emissions, promoting fair labour practices, or donating a portion of profits to social causes.
Businesses for good can take many forms, from small startups to large corporations. Some businesses for good may have a specific social or environmental mission, while others may integrate social and environmental responsibility into all aspects of their operations.
One way businesses for good can measure their impact is through social and environmental performance metrics, such as the B Impact Assessment. These assessments measure a company’s impact in governance, workers, community, environment, and customers.
There are many reasons why we should consider becoming a business for good. Here are a few:
Making a positive impact: By becoming a business for good, we can create positive change in society and the environment. We can use our business as a force for good and contribute to the betterment of the world.
Attracting socially conscious consumers: Consumers today are increasingly conscious of businesses’ impact on society and the environment. By prioritising social and environmental responsibility, we can attract these socially conscious consumers and create a positive reputation for our business.
Creating a positive workplace culture: By prioritising social responsibility, we can create a workplace culture that attracts and retains top talent. Many employees today want to work for companies that align with their values and positively impact the world.
Differentiating ourselves from competitors: Businesses that stand out for their social responsibility in a crowded marketplace may have a competitive advantage. By prioritising social and environmental responsibility, we can differentiate ourselves from our competitors and appeal to consumers who care about these issues.
Future-proofing our business: As the world becomes more socially and environmentally conscious, businesses prioritising these issues will likely be more successful in the long run. By becoming a business for good, we can future-proof our business and ensure its sustainability.
Balancing a business for good with sustainable profitability can be challenging
But it is essential for the business’s long-term success. Here are a few ways to achieve this balance:
Prioritise social and environmental responsibility without compromising profitability: It is important to remember that a business for good still needs to make a profit to sustain itself. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritise social and environmental responsibility while also making sure that the business is financially sustainable. This may involve reducing costs, increasing efficiency, or developing new revenue streams.
Measure impact and profitability: To ensure that the business achieves social and financial goals, it is important to measure impact and profitability. This can be done through social and environmental performance metrics, such as the B Impact Assessment, and financial metrics, such as revenue, profit margins, and return on investment.
Innovate to create new revenue streams: To balance social responsibility and profitability, it may be necessary to innovate and create new revenue streams. This could involve developing new products or services that align with the company’s social mission or exploring new and underserved markets.
Engage stakeholders: Engaging stakeholders, including employees, customers, suppliers, and investors, can help to ensure that the business is achieving both social and financial goals. This can involve communicating the company’s social mission and impact, soliciting stakeholder feedback, and involving them in decision-making processes.
Continuously improve and adapt: Balancing social responsibility and profitability is an ongoing process that requires continuous improvement and adaptation. It is important to regularly assess the company’s impact and profitability, identify areas for improvement, and adapt strategies as needed.
Overall, becoming a business for good can benefit society, the environment, and our business itself. By prioritising social and environmental responsibility, we can create a positive impact, attract socially conscious consumers and top talent, differentiate ourselves from competitors, and future-proof our business.