The Rise of Business Populists

These are angry times in politics and society. Populism is the mantra of the moment, whether it’s “progressive populism” of the sort that targets the misdeeds of Wall Street and Big Money, or “pickup-truck populism” of the sort that targets the heavy hand of Big Government. In either case the spirit is the same. It’s the people versus the powerful, the little guy versus the establishment, more about what it’s against than what it’s for.

Many pundits have studied populism as a powerful social phenomenon. But I’d submit it’s a powerful business phenomenon as well. Indeed, as I’ve read articles highlighting anger and disgust among voters with the political establishment, I couldn’t help but think back to an HBR article highlighting anger and disgust among customers with the business establishment. The article, published in June 2007, was called, “Companies and the Customers Who Hate Them.” It’s one of the most quietly subversive essays I’ve read in years, and it cries out for a re-read today — when hate seems to be such a driving force.

via The Rise of Business Populists – Bill Taylor – Harvard Business Review.