I’m often asked, “Of all the stakeholders, which one is the most important? Which one is the most valuable resource that the organization must be sure is satisfied?” Let’s look at who the stakeholders are.

• Investors

• Management

• Employees

• Customers

• Suppliers

• Employees’ families

• Community

• Special interest groups

• Investors. An organization promises the investors an income that is better than what they could get from any other place. As a result, they invest their hard-earned money in the organization.

• Management. Managers are promised a good income if they can develop the organization and make it profitable. They often work 50 to 60 hours a week, giving up a lot of their family life. Certainly the organization has an obligation to its managers to provide them financial security and give them meaningful work assignments.

• Employees. The employees produce and sell the products and services to the external customers. Essentially, employees are selling a big part of their lives and must receive equitable pay.

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