I wish people would get off the idea that companies HAVE to expand

[RB TexLa]

Yes most want to, but if a company employees 40 people for 100 years that's fine. If I have sold a product or service to the public that they want to purchase that is all I "owe the community." I do not owe them more jobs.

[liberal N proud]

1. Where are the jobs suppose to come from if companies don't grow?

[LiberalArkie]

2. I think what RB is referring to is a company getting larger by buying another company

and laying off half of the purchased company.

[liberal N proud]

4. I didn't read it that way

[csziggy]

9. More small businesses could be better than a few very large businesses

Small "Mom & Pop" businesses used to be the mainstay of many towns. They would employ the owners and a few employees. Since the owners knew the employees, they would make sure they got what they needed in terms of pay, benefits, schedules, etc. Many of these small companies trundled along for generations, maybe growing a little as their communities grew, but staying small because that was a better way to be responsive to their communities.

Why are companies like that less well regarded than ones that grow beyond their competence and get into financial trouble or ones that grow very large and outsource jobs?

[liberal N proud]

10. The op said companies, not large, not small

If a business does not grow it will die.

[madinmaryland]

12. A business does not have to grow in size in order to "grow".

They need to stay ahead of the curve.

[boppers]

13. "If a business does not grow it will die."

Bullshit.

[unc70]

15. Poppycock

[laundry_queen]

11. By other people starting up more companies

If companies are supposed to keep growing, there is no room for new companies. Then the large companies buy up the smaller companies and lay off half the workforce and take all of the market and there is nothing left for a smaller company to exist.
Wasn't it better when there were 3 small-time hardware stores in town, with 10-15 employees that were paid living wages while the owner had a comfortable (not wealthy) life? Or is it better with one big-box hardware store that has 20 part time employees being paid minimum wage?

[orpupilofnature57]

3. Wo , you meant Companies get off the idea ,of 600% profit

a company only expands and Needs more jobs Filled when profits are escalating ,usally at a hell of a Tax break ,Prostitutes only provide a service or product the public wants ,does that make it legal ? Hide behind human nature all you want ,but don't think you Give jobs ,you exploit oppurtunities ,which is legal ,but call it what it is.

[RevStPatrick]

5. People need to make a living.

People don't need to get rich.

[arcane1]

6. If your company is selling stock, you MUST grow!!!!!

Such is the utter bullshit of our economy

[subterranean]

7. They don't have to expand.

If there's a demand for their product or service greater than their current capacity, they can either expand or let other companies step in to meet the demand. Either way, jobs will be created.

[uponit7771]

17. +1

[Gidney N Cloyd]

8. Hey, 'swim or die.'

[boppers]

14. Or realize that the seas has room for more than sharks.

[socialist_n_TN]

16. It's called capitalism..........

It's an inherent part of the system in the dictatorship of capital.

[Bluenorthwest]

18. The new model for the 21st is replication rather than expansion....

A healthy concept. A company gets to the size at which it functions well, much like the one you speak of, and instead of seeking to 'grow' it seeks to 'reproduce'. Another similar company is started, elsewhere, and rather than nurturing a great monster or maintaining a cap on new work, you wind up with another company, or someone else does, depending on one's thinking.
And of course, all companies own all communities fair and honest treatment. Any company that is not aware of the many things the larger community puts in place, without which that company could not function, is a company that will at some point face local opponents. The community and the company share a two way relationship, and it starts with the company taking from the community. At some point, that needs to return, or the company will find out that the community feels they no longer wish to support the company, and in the end, the community was there first, and will exist after the wee enterprise shuts the doors.

[Snake Alchemist]

19. What if Apple had remained 40 people?

I don't necessarily disagree that you HAVE to grow, but all businesses like to expand.