Gerhard Fiedler wrote:
>> By definition, the primary purpose of a business is to make money.
>
> By what definition?

Webster's dictionary, and common sense. :)

> The legal definition depends on the exact form of
> business, but AFAIK they all only include that one of the goals is to
> create a profit. I don't think it is required that this be the primary
> purpose.

I think for the purpose of this discussion, the legal definition is 
irrelevant.

> There are many things that you may want to achieve with a business, 
> besides
> a profit. Where in the list of priorities the owner (or whoever makes such
> decisions in a particular business) puts the profit depends on that
> person's (or group's) priorities.

Well, but as I said -- if making money is not the main purpose of your 
organization, then by definition, your organization is not a business. Can 
you think of a business whose primary goal is *not* creating profit?

> IMO the difference to a non-profit organization is not that in a business
> the profit is the highest priority, but that it is in the list of
> priorities, somewhere.

Sure, and I'm not saying that it should be the ONLY goal of a company. 
Supporting the Boy Scouts, building sports arenas, and donating money to 
charities are all worthy endeavors, but none of them are as important as 
creating profit.

Best regards,

Vitaliy 

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