Harvard's MBA, one of the top business programs in the world has a formal oath to behave ethically in business, which, as of 2009, less than half of the students were willing to sign. Harvard's acceptance criteria extend to the exceptionally academic, the exceptionally wealthy and the exceptionally well connected, meaning these students are likely to be the future leaders of economies and businesses around the world.
Many people's experience in dealing with banks, insurance companies, lawyers and realtors suggest that selling one's soul to the devil is a prerequisite for success in business. The plot has been a Western cultural staple from Marlowe's 'Dr. Faustus', to Braine's 'Room at the Top', to Michael Douglas in the movie 'Wall Street'. Popular urban legends routinely tie large US corporations and their logos to the supposed "Church of Satan", which although not literally true do reflect the "values" of corporate executives who made off (Madeoff!) with funds in recent years.
In the US, a number of companies have chosen to publicly declare their adherence to Christian Values such as Hobby Lobby, Interstate Batteries and Chickfila. A larger number have Company Chaplains, a distinct improvement over the typical Intranet HR service where all questions from bereavement to pension contributions are handled anonymously via web in only 24-48 hours! Other companies like Ford (Hari Krishna movement via the founding family), Marriott (LDS Church, BYU) and the Hard Rock Cafe (Sai Baba) are more quiet about their religious ties since they are less mainstream in the US. Some of the challenges of publicly linking religion to business are potential backlash in the marketplace, accusations of Machiavellianism (i.e. using religion to push products or pressure workers), or simply negative publicity from routine disputes, as happened with the well intentioned "Yogananda Foundation" in recent years.
An executive of Interstate Batteries, speaking with the author recently, credited the success of the firm and its exceptionally low turn over to their Christian values. When asked if it was not a problem for the many nationalities and religions outside of Christianity working at the company, the executive said they too benefitted from the ethical environment and company's success and that it had not been a problem. They are currently hiring ahead of actual needs to help people looking for work, part of their many outreaches to the community.
The author believes that transformation is at the individual level and that powerful, ethical leaders can be a great force for moving their organizations forward in line with Dwapara Yuga. Yogananda was very clear that the means used color the ends. Yoganandaji had many businessmen followers, most notably Dr. Lewis, Yogacharya Black and Saint Lynn, who were able to align their personal and business behaviors. In recent times, the Harmony at work organization in India looks to lead individuals and organizations toward greater creativity and success leveraging Yoganadaji's teachings.
Management gurus in recent times with titles such as the "Seven Habits" series and "The Innovator's Dilemma" (both associated with LDS) share values that go beyond the usual business school staples into the areas of self help and faith-based values. Interestingly the LDS Church is the wealthiest per capita in the world, having spread from nothing - passing up the opportunity to settle in San Diego, CA and instead forming Salt Lake City, UT from barren desert with a metaphor of the honey bee or "deseret" and the famous words - "This is the place!"
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