Good intentions don’t always yield good results. This statement is depicted by the business model of Toms shoes. Although Toms intentions may be good in following the one-for- one business model, I don’t quite think it provides the best outcome for society as a whole. The only party that benefits with this in the long run, would be themselves.

I myself, like everyone else, believed that this was a brilliant idea that supported a good cause and provided a solution for one of the biggest problems in third world countries. Toms was able to do good and make profits at the same time. So if this is a win-win situation, how would anyone be worse off?

Perhaps this model does more good to their financial statements than it does to society. By giving a pair of shoes to those in need of them, Toms may be helping these people in the short run, however this does not solve the major underlying issues of poverty and lack in economic development in these third world countries. Someone might think, “Even if they aren’t being super effective, no harm could come from being generous, right?” Wrong. This is because people start relying on these free shoes and therefore stop purchasing goods from local stores. This, in turn, has a negative effect on local businesses and the economy, which is why these countries remain in the same state and are prevented from growing. That being said, not only does Toms’ good intentions not yield good results, but instead has an overall negative effect on the world. For this reason, I am against the one-for-one model.

Works Cited:

http://www.fastcoexist.com/1679628/the-broken-buy-one-give-one-model-three-ways-to-save-toms-shoes

http://blogbydonna.com/toms-gives-back-setting-an-example-for-all-oneforone/