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Google's job is to pay shareholders. Let the shareholders donate the profits to charity, if they wish.

pufuwozu 16y ago
Most companies recognize that socially responsible activities improve their image among customers, stockholders, the financial community, and other relevant publics. Ethical and socially responsible practices are simply good business, resulting not only in favorable image, but ultimately in increased sales. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_marketing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_marketing
- praptak 16y ago
  "Ethical and socially responsible practices are simply good business, resulting not only in favorable image, but ultimately in increased sales." That's exactly the point. It is not a selfless good deed, but just another transaction. Spend 20 million (not a huge amount for an ad campaign) get some good PR. I am not saying that it is evil, shady or even questionable. But it should not be perceived in the same way as an individual donating a part of their income. An individual donating probably means that they value some other things than money. A corporation donating means that they want "favorable image and ultimately increased sales".
  - jeroen 16y ago
    The charities are getting actual money either way. I get your point, but this is a win for two parties (google and the charities) and I don't see any loss for the third party (the public).
PakG1 16y ago
Except that they don't pay shareholders. The only way shareholders can get paid for the foreseeable future is to have an appreciated stock price. Just correcting a statement, not commenting on the donation, so take it for what it is. :) http://investor.google.com/corporate/faq.html#dividend http://investor.google.com/corporate/faq.html#dividend "Does Google pay a cash dividend? No, we have never declared or paid a cash dividend nor do we expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future."

Most companies recognize that socially responsible activities improve their image among customers, stockholders, the financial community, and other relevant publics. Ethical and socially responsible practices are simply good business, resulting not only in favorable image, but ultimately in increased sales. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_marketing http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Societal_marketing

praptak 16y ago
"Ethical and socially responsible practices are simply good business, resulting not only in favorable image, but ultimately in increased sales." That's exactly the point. It is not a selfless good deed, but just another transaction. Spend 20 million (not a huge amount for an ad campaign) get some good PR. I am not saying that it is evil, shady or even questionable. But it should not be perceived in the same way as an individual donating a part of their income. An individual donating probably means that they value some other things than money. A corporation donating means that they want "favorable image and ultimately increased sales".
- jeroen 16y ago
  The charities are getting actual money either way. I get your point, but this is a win for two parties (google and the charities) and I don't see any loss for the third party (the public).

PakG1 16y ago

Except that they don't pay shareholders. The only way shareholders can get paid for the foreseeable future is to have an appreciated stock price. Just correcting a statement, not commenting on the donation, so take it for what it is. :) http://investor.google.com/corporate/faq.html#dividend http://investor.google.com/corporate/faq.html#dividend "Does Google pay a cash dividend? No, we have never declared or paid a cash dividend nor do we expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future."