Originally Posted by HonestABE

The struggle in Corporate America has always been between the bean counters and the visionaries.

The bean counters only look at tangible value, i.e., let's generate as much current revenue (reduce current costs as much as possible) and ignore the impact this has on potential future revenues (and costs).

The visionaries look at the intangible value of goodwill today (i.e., cutting a good customer a break) in the expectation that that goodwill will come back in the form of higher future revenues (and lower future costs).

Sadly, in all too many cases, the bean counters are winning.

Smart companies and smart managers know that the best strategy is to always "leave a little money on the table." Companies that squeeze their suppliers and their customers out of every last nickel may achieve some short term financial benefit. But, longer term, those suppliers and customers take their business elsewhere.