Compassionate Capitalism
Compassionate Capitalism?
How could that be? In its place, he offers a dynamically different vision of capitalism. A vision of capitalism as the finest tool yet known to help people become all they can be and to do the very best they can for others as well as for themselves. His penetrating examination of the historical and philosophical roots of modern capitalism argues that we need to return to capitalism's underlying moral base if we are to establish a lasting balance among the interests of corporations, workers, customers, and the environment. As capitalism gains ground all over the globe, it is absolutely imperative that it benefit society at large.
Even more important, what Rich DeVos offers in this extraordinary book is more than a vision. Compassionate Capitalism spells out clearly and eloquently the guiding principles and concrete steps to take to make your life and your world better. DeVos shows how your energy, your ambition, and your spirit of enterprise can travel together down a path on which the spirit of capitalism and moral values inextricably merge. DeVos illustrates both how success is achieved and what it truly means. He demonstrates how compassionate capitalism is the only solution to the most crucial issues of our time - poverty, homelessness, hunger, the environment, and the many other challenges that face us in the closing decade of this century and the beginning of the next. We must be compassionate with the world's natural and human resources, with the air above and the earth below, the seas, the forests, the deserts, and all that live within them, and with the products we choose to develop or market and the facilities we build or lease. Employers must be more compassionate with their employees. We all must let compassion guide us as we use our profits, our wages and bonuses, our time, and our talent. He shows us just how short-sighted selfishness is, and how the golden rule is still the finest guideline not only in ones personal life, but in the workplace and the marketplace. Whether you are the owner of a huge corporation or an assembly line worker, a student about to graduate, or a homemaker ready to enter the job market, this important guide to success the compassionate way can be the most inspiring and enlightening book you will ever read.
Compassionate Capitalism Credos
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Rich DeVos was the co-founder and president of Amway/Quixtar, one of the world's largest privately held companies, with over two million independent distributors throughout the world, over 7,000 of which became millionaires after starting their business. An acclaimed speaker and writer, his recorded talk, "Selling America" received many awards, including the Alexander Hamilton Award for Economic Education from the Freedom Foundation. He also authored the bestselling book "Believe!".
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Praise for Compassionate Capitalism"Rich DeVos is uniquely qualified to explain why Compassionate Capitalism can lead to financial success for the individual, the community and the nation. By his own lifetime achievements, Rich has proven why compassion for all of one's fellow citizens is a mandatory key to success." - Gerald R. Ford "This credo for compassionate capitalism springs up directly from the heart of my partner and friend for half a century. Whatever you may need to succeed in business, above all learn compassion. This book is a giant step in that direction. I am confident that Rich's words will inspire and inform millions of others as they have touched me." - Jay Van Andel "Rich DeVos is the thinker of the hour. In a world disillusioned by Marxism, people are turning to capitalism. If they find a hard-boiled capitalism where many are crushed in a cold "devil take the hindmost" attitude, it may cause another disillusionment. So this book presents the answers for the future - "a compassionate capitalism". Compassionate Capitalism is well written, consistently interesting, logical, and persuasive." - Norman Vincent Peale "This is an inspiring book by one of the free enterprise system's most distinguished practitioners. But much more than a defense of American free enterprise, Compassionate Capitalism sets forth sure principles by which we can meet the moral and financial challenge of the twenty-first century. Anyone who reads this book will close its covers wiser, better informed, and more optimistic about the future than when he or she began it." - William E. Simon "In Compassionate Capitalism, Rich DeVos gives all of us a creed to live by, a goal to achieve, and a way to help ourselves by helping others. No better example can be found than the career of Rich DeVos himself. This man practiced what he preached." - William L. Seidman "Rich DeVos was one of the most extraordinary people I've ever known. We don't share the same politics ... but in this terrific book he examines what real capitalism is all about. This is a credo for all people everywhere." - Larry King "Rich DeVos has now given an entirely appropriate name to the business philosophy he demonstrated during his career. While many authors have tried over the years to define "the American dream" and how to share it, Rich made us all richer by showing us the way and calling out "Follow Me!" - Lead On, dear friend." - Paul Harvey "Having known many successful individuals who are practitioners of free enterprise, there are few as successful, as committed to the basic tenets of capitalism and especially "compassionate capitalism," as Rich DeVos. It is a mark of Rich's commitment that he shares his personal "credo" with us and with generations yet to come. Compassionate Capitalism is a must read for the aspiring entrepreneur as well as for those who have realized the personal successes of our free market system." - Alexander Haig, Jr. "In Compassionate Capitalism, Rich DeVos tells you how you can make your dreams come true by centering your life in love of God and country and an authentic desire to help other people. I recommend you read this helpful and practical book by one of the world's greatest and most positive compassionate capitalists. I loved it!" - Robert Schuller "I personally knew Rich DeVos for many years. He was a unique combination of a great success as a capitalist and a tremendous example of compassion. Rich was an example to me, whose words off the playing field are always backed up by his all-pro performances in the heat of battle. Anyone who reads Compassionate Capitalism will have his or her outlook on time, energy, and money permanently changed." - Tom Landry "My twenty year friendship with Rich DeVos has indeed been a fruitful one. His love for people and his vision to help them to be the best that they can be has deeply affected me and my personal outlook. Compassionate Capitalism captures the essence of his own successful life as a compassionate capitalist and passes it on to us. What a gift!" - C. Everett Koop "This is the perfect book not just for the successful entrepreneur or the person who punches a clock and dreams of owning his or her own business. It is also for the athlete or the artist, the writer or the wrangler. Rich makes it clear. We are all in business and compassion is the key to our success. Over the past thirty years he's taught me that lesson through his own example. I'm glad at last I can share his wisdom with my friends." - Bobby Richardson
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It has been 27 years since my wife, Donna, and I first met Rich DeVos. During that time, he both directly and indirectly influenced more individuals to move on in life and to achieve their very best than any other businessman I have ever known. Rich and his partner, Jay Van Andel, provide both opportunity and motivation to thousands of people worldwide to accomplish all that they desire. Beyond that, and even more important is Rich's interest and dedication in helping many men and women believe in themselves. In turn, Donna and I have been inspired to develop and pass on the same genuine concern and compassion that Rich has always exemplified to us. While illustrating the credosof compassionate capitalism, his book is filled with stories and examples of ordinary people who simply refused to settle for average. It draws you in and then reveals page by page that you too can be a success! He intentionally shows that adversities do arise, but his emphasis lies in the fact that we are all overcomers. We possess such a vast amount of ability, and Rich aims only to make us aware of these God-given talents. Above all, Compassionate Capitalism is about people who have learned to believe in themselves and a God that does not fail. The world has changed so drastically since Rich and Jay first envisioned what could be accomplished through the free enterprise system, but the changes have done nothing but strengthen their words and give credence to their remarkable foresight. There is a saying that refers to being "older and wiser," however, Rich took this a step further. The knowledge that he earned over the years was interwoven with compassion, a rare combination these days. Rich points out in his book and demonstrates in his life that true wealth inspires compassion for those who don't believe in themselves yet. My desire is that, as you read Compassionate Capitalism, you too will experience the same feelings of hope, confidence, and optimism that I did. We too often live in a world where gloom and doom are always in the headlines. Rich encourages us to see the beautiful and remarkable world that we can create for ourselves, if only we will. I genuinely believe that all who read and grasp Compassionate Capitalism will have implanted in their hearts the aspiration to pass on to future generations the opportunity to experience, in Rich's words, "capitalism with a heart," just as Donna and I have. - Ken Stewart
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