The other day the song “Where is the Love?” by the Black Eyed Peas (featuring Justin Timberlake) came on the radio.  The song really hit home.  Yes, we know that some of the song is biased and opinionated, but we are referring to the more general lyrics.  Not only do they relate to life in the world, but they relate to business dealings, as well.

The saying used to go, “The customer is always right.” That is not necessarily true any more. Customers are always right in that they have the right to quality products free of defects. However, they do not have the right to treat companies with disrespect. Lately, we keep asking ourselves, “What’s wrong with the world…?” Many customers in the past few years have acted as if they are the Queen of Sheba and have tried to boss our company around telling us how we should operate. We cannot always operate the way a customer would like because we have policies strictly enforced for specific reasons, mainly to make our company run smoothly, efficiently, and fairly. The “Lack of understanding [is] leading us away from unity…” The people who do not understand these policies have become domineering, angry people. They try to poke blame at others for every problem that occurs. These “People are living like they ain’t got no mamas.” We highly doubt their mothers taught them to be rude and dictatorial to companies that are offering them products or services.

We know that the economy has caused a lot of people to fend for themselves and become more frugal. At this time in the world, it makes sense to pay attention to finances and look out for one’s self. “But if you only have love for your own race [yourself] / Then you only leave space to discriminate [against companies and others] / And to discriminate only generates hate / And when you hate then you’re bound to get irate…People keep on giving in / Making wrong decisions only visions of them dividends / Not respecting each other [and] denying thy brother [companies and others you deal with]…” We all need to remember that even when we are looking out for #1, when it comes to etiquette, we are no bigger or better than the other guy. Everyone deserves the same amount of respect. Some people “…only care about money makin’ / [And] Selfishness got [them] following the wrong direction…” No matter what happens in the world, we should always treat others (including the companies and customers that we deal with) with respect and kindness. We are all in this world together and are faced with a lot of the same problems (whether you know it or not).

Here is some food for thought: Let’s say you do not agree with a company’s policies and you bully that company around trying to get your way. Turn the tables. “Can you practice what you preach? / And would you turn the other cheek?” Would you allow your customers, friends, family members, colleagues to boss you around while they try to get what they want?

The next time you get upset with a company or customer you are working with, remember this song and all of the lessons it refers to. Try to maintain the ability to understand. Keep in mind to always allow enough time for unforeseen mistakes, errors, and delays. And know that a lack of planning on one person’s part does not constitute an emergency on the other person’s part. Instead of jumping to conclusions or making false assumptions, take a step back and try to see things from their point of view. “Take control of your mind and meditate / Let your soul gravitate to the love ya’ll…”