Why is transparency important? Does anyone really care?

There’s been a lot of talk lately about “transparency.” Apparently, every company and person out there should be an open book for the rest of us to read and misquote. But, when you really think about it, do we really want to know what every company is doing behind the scenes? Is that really what’s best for us as a community?

Was Bernard Ebbers really that bad a guy? All he was really trying to do was avoid a few margin calls so that he could save his timber and yachting companies. Is yachting a crime? I don’t think so! Who knows, maybe $3.8 billion in fraudulent accounting methods to mask WorldCom’s declining financial condition by painting a false picture of financial growth and profitability to prop up the price of WorldCom’s stock was the only way he could pay his debt with Strip Club Jets? Have you ever met an angry stripper? Prison is a better deal.

And while we’re on the subject, I think Enron gets a bad wrap. Were they hiding debt in an attempt to inflate profits and prop up stock prices? That’s one side of the story. But, Enron’s accounting was complex. Was it questionable? Perhaps. But, if we’re going to call that and the WoldCom scandal “questionable,” Then you’d think we’d hold everyone to that standard and I don’t see any pointing of fingers at other companies that are participating in “questionable” activities.

Anyhow, I’m not sold on the whole “transparency” thing. So, while the rest of you argue about whether companies should disclose certain information to the public, I’m going to do some Christmas shopping. You’ll never guess what I’m getting you this year.

The lesson here is that when we, as a community, come together and voice our opinion, we have more power than any corporation in the world. The new age of media that we are now experiencing holds people and corporations accountable for everything they are doing, as they do it. Social media has become a checks and balances system that governs over everyone. So, how transparent are you? If all the skeletons in you or your company’s closet were suddenly thrown out into the public eye, would your career survive? Would your company survive? Would you survive?

I’m going to attempt to be more transparent. And while, I don’t think opt-out transparency (Facebook Beacon’s initial concept) is right, I do think that opt-in transparency is a step in the right direction for companies everywhere. An honest business has nothing to hide. If we have nothing to hide, then the community will embrace us. If we’re smart enough to share in that embrace, then we’ll find we have a built in customer base. After all, you should only start a company if you plan to solve a problem and serve the customer better than your competition. Let’s all try and serve our customers better. They’re paying our salaries.

How can I serve you better? What would make your experience with me and my company, Suited Productions, more enjoyable? How is your company serving its customers? What frustrates you as a customer of other companies? Has Facebook’s Beacon affected you at all, or did you even know about it before this? Are you willing to give up personal information if it gives you a heightened user experience? How many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop? Share your thoughts, concerns and rambling in the comments’ section.

And for the record, I LOVE my Facebook profile! I am confident that Zuckerberg and his loyal army of PR goons will show a softer side and smooth everything over with you nay-sayers. Don’t agree? Tell me why…

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