The Nicest Villain Ever

Many say that since ancient days, mankind has struggled under the oppressive boot of big business. They claim that history is a story of workers being exploited, greedy owners lining their pockets with excess profits, the one percent living off the backs of the 99, and offering nothing in return. This way of thinking is growing in popularity, but ignores the important contributions of business to human society. Although business has black marks on its history, it has been a net good force on the world because of all the societal good it has achieved.

It's All Coming Together In Business Consulting

Audience

 “It’s not about ideas. It’s about making ideas happen.” Men and women who see with this perspective are the men and women that the business world needs. In order to make an idea “happen” requires an ability to organize that idea and then articulate it in such a way that will influence others in a positive way to invest in such ideas. As a result, classes of “communication in organizational settings” are essential. Communication alone will not be enough for those entering into the business consulting field. A detailed understanding of a broad number of topics found in the business world are required. Many will spend time involved in business “clubs” or internships to be competitive in their appearance, their approach, and their abilities. Depending upon the background a business consultant, one may take the CFA Exam, the CPA Exam, among others.

Context

Whether you like it or not, business is not only what you know but who you know. As a result, the ability to make connections and create powerful, lasting relationships is essential. Those who find success in the business world are often those who can articulate success in their words. You can choose to read this or you can choose to skip it, but the principles found within will save you a five star client down the line. In regards to history, the past is a great opportunity to learn from in order to avoid making the same mistakes as others while taking good ideas and applying them in brilliant ways for others.

Rhetoric

As mentioned earlier, among the most important aspects of business consulting is the ability to communicate your knowledge, your ideas, and your plans. This being said, knowing how to do this alone is not enough; one must be aware of the setting and the circumstance in order to appropriately address those the consultant is speaking with. Therefore, one of the essential aspects of rhetoric that will be address within the paper will be that of the branches of oratory. It will be necessary to articulate it simply (possibly through examples) in order to help the reader to see that if they do not respect the kairos they are not going to get far in the business world.

History

It is often said that history repeats itself and it is no different in the business world. Yes, the economics and business is growing exponentially in the world we now live, but those who have gone before have set powerful examples of the do’s and don’ts of the business world. There is a reason why business majors focus so much on case studies; because there is so much to be learned from them. Not only can we learn from the business approaches but also the business interaction. This will be an important part of what is spoken of.

Plan

In putting this post together I almost got into “writing mode.” I have some thoughts that were illustrated through practice instead of theory (which may be a little different than what was asked for the assignment so I hope that’s alright.) By applying the ideas I see that there will need to be more research done in terms of historical evidence of why communication is so important and specifically examples of where rhetoric was not used correctly. In doing this I think those reading will appreciate the insight and will respect it as they have seen applied through examples.

It will be important to connect the idea of different kinds of communication within business consulting. I will also need to do more research and hopefully some more interviews in order to get insight into how each interaction between firms and within firms are done. The more details I can have, the ore credible and reliable the paper will be. Great assignment to bring together my thoughts. 

Business Business Business... Numbers

Accounting in Antiquity

The age of the accounting trade is frankly a sad commentary on the world. Of all the things humanity has created – arts, theatre, technology, medicine – keeping track of money/valuables is one of the oldest. Even back to the days of the flood, Noah was instructed to take an accounting of the Lord’s valuables (His creations the animals). Down through Moses we have records of accounting (i.e. the entire book of Numbers). Trade records and bartering systems were al accounted for and assessed, if not on a social level then on an individual one. Men have always been trying to be richer than his neighbor. And how does he know he’s rich? He accounts for what he and his neighbor have. In ancient Greece, officers were required to give accountings of the fund entrusted to them at the conclusion of their service. They were expected to properly manage the funds that had been given them. The importance of wealth and stewardship were not lost on the Greek and so they were sure to require an accounting of those who had been given so much. In ancient Rome, accounting played a particularly important role in leading the home. Fathers were expected to keep track of the accounts of the home. Fortunately, the lack of credit cards and predating of shopping malls made monitoring teenage spending significantly easier. Most purchasers were made with cash; however, there are clear indication that receivables and payables were set up with merchants and customers. As time lapsed into the medieval ages, we say an apparent retrogression of the accounting systems however apparently “Charlemagne had an elaborate system of accounting for income and expenditures and required detailed reports from all his subordinates.” (Kester, 1917)

Accounting in a less Ancient Time

Accounting has been formalized and structured over the centuries. In fact, the reliance on the way we account for things has a tremendous impact on everyone’s daily life. The value we give to different currency; the prices floors and ceilings that certain markets and commodities bear; and the amount of money we pay in taxes each year all depend how we account for our money. On a nationwide scale, the most significant change to the accounting system in recent history is the Sarbanes-Oxley act passed in the wake of the Enron/Arthur Anderson debacle (Koehn and Stephen, 2004). This act revamped the way big businesses are allowed to account for their money. How does this affect the average consumer? Corporation now have to pay significantly more to have their accounts managed, these types of costs are always passed on to the consumer.

Accounting has been around a long time, and will be around forever. At the very least, men and women will always be required to give an accounting of the labors, which very well may include how we spend our money/substance.

Kester, R. (1917). Accounting - Theory and Practice. In Accounting Theory and Practice (pp. 2-4). New York: Ronald Press Company.

Koehn, Jo Lynne, and Stephen C. Del Vecchio. "Ripple Effects Of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act." CPA Journal 74.2 (2004): 36. MasterFILE Complete. Web. 4 Dec. 2014.