Ray Anderson: Hero Of Industry

Ray Anderson, a carpet industry magnate and the founder of Interface Corporation, is considered by many to be one of the biggest names in the business. Though widely regarded for his poise and expertise in industry, it is his ecologically and ethically focused business model that has altered the landscape of business operation in the 21st Century. In the course video, Anderson describes the “change of paradigm” that occurred when he began thinking about his company’s impact on the earth. He challenges the world’s metric of success, eventually labeling himself as a “plunderer of the earth” and denouncing his claim as a “hero of industry” (Lyles). A brief summary of his ethical business philosophy follows, as well as a commentary on his beliefs …show more content…
How can the current corporate system operate more sustainably with respect to our planet? (Lyles) Anderson articulates a powerful argument, based on his experiences at Interface, that sustainable operation, Mount Sustainability, presents the most important financial and ethical challenge for modern business. He suggests that it is much cheaper to produce goods and services if fewer materials are used and less waste is created, providing a financial incentive for sustainable practices. For example, the Patagonia clothing company recently advertised a recycling program for their current customers. Patagonia encourages current customers to send their torn or abused clothing back for low-cost repairs, rather than purchasing new garments. Not only is this model recycling current products and minimizing excess throughput of raw …show more content…
Advertising and corporate sponsorship consume social media and permeate the daily lives of all who live in a modern, technologically connected world. Businesses influence our purchases, our desires, and even our self-perception. Surely, Anderson claims, corporate powerhouses have the ability, a duty even, to promote sustainable practices that reach the masses. Without realigning to more sustainable means, he contends that industry is also the “current present-day instrument of destruction” (Lyles). The world faces a major sustainability challenge that has yet to be solved -- it is up to the captains of industry to take a public stand and fundamentally alter the way the world views modern