- Ten Most Significant Risks and Costs of Unethical Behavior in Business
The business world has been shocked and rocked by major corporate scandals involving unethical behavior. The real "poster" companies of ethics violations include: Enron, Tyco International, WorldCom, Global Crossing and Adelphia. The risks and costs associated with these examples of unethical behavior are astronomical in dollars, but also extremely high in other non-quantified costs and risks. These other significant risks and costs from unethical behavior include: - Business Ethics Must Be Presented, Preserved and Promoted
Business ethics are an almost daily topic in the news, in business schools, in the workplace and in our homes. I pay close attention to business ethics and what is written about them in my daily life as a strategic thinking, planning and business coach. I am still astounded at the remarks of major corporations a few years ago when they said they "waived or suspended" the ethics code or requirements. I am still at a total loss at how anyone can "suspend or waive" ethics. While I may not be able to explain the suspension or waiving of ethics, I do hope to provide some solid advice on what business and other organizations need to do today to present, preserve and promote ethics in their organizations. - Non-Disclosure-Confidentiality Agreements-Don't Hire Anyone Without Signing One
If you are not worried or concerned in the business world we live in today, then I suggest you become concerned now, not later! Technology and business information have continued to expand exponentially in today's business environment. Employees and contract workers are more likely to be exposed to a significant amount of proprietary information and therein lays a potential threat to your business. It would be very naive and not very "business savvy" to believe you can automatically trust an employee or contract worker with trade secrets, innovative ideas, and other confidential information. The threat or risk is higher today because of digital cameras; cell phones with built-in cameras and flash drives used to snap a picture or download documents. - Business Ethics-What's Happening Where We Work?
The National Business Ethics Survey (NBES) provides an overview of ethics in the workplace and the 2005 version indicates that ethical misconduct is increasing. And this is after Enron, et al. The NBES included more than 3,000 American workers and their survey showed that more than half of American workers have observed at least one type of ethical misconduct in the workplace. Yet, employee reporting of the misconduct they observe is down by 10 percent. This is cause for alarm, in my opinion, and more businesses need to be aware of what is happening with ethics at work today. - How Valuable Are Your Ethics or What is Your Price to Compromise Your Ethics?
Everyone in business will eventually face a real crisis of conscience at some point or points in his or her career. Before you face that critical choice, I believe most people would say it is easy to think that they will act ethically, no matter what the personal cost. However, what will you really do when you are faced with the personal cost of losing the job you love (or desperately need) and placing your family's welfare and your own self worth in jeopardy?Is your personal respect and integrity negotiable? It is probably safe to say that all or certainly most of us have encountered situations where there was a bending of the rules; the special person, client or coworker who gets special consideration; the dishonest deal; the telling of a blatant untruth; and so on. Do you have an ethical compass in good working order to guide you in resolving these ethical dilemmas? - Nine Commitments That Emphasize Business Ethics & Company Core Values Are Extremely Crucial
In the last few years, business ethics and company core values are among the most critical discussions I facilitate during strategic planning and business coaching endeavors. My encouragement to clients is to go "public" with their core values and ethical standards so it becomes known what the company stands for and how the leaders will conduct business. Many businesses also will use the core values and ethical standards for guidance in making critical decisions, to create an ethical corporate culture, to attract high quality employees and to differentiate themselves from competitors. Based upon my personal and professional experiences and research, I would recommend making the following nine commitments. - Just Say No – Loudly & Clearly – To Unethical Clients!
Have you ever been asked to do something unethical by one of your prospects or clients? Have you ever been pressured by a supervisor, manager or owner at your business to do something unethical? Have you ever observed unethical behavior by a prospect or client? In today's business world, there are daily instances of unethical behavior occurring all around us. What a sad commentary on business and society today. - Building An Environment Of Ethical Behavior Ten Tips From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
Business ethics has become and has remained a popular news topic in today's world thanks to Enron, Tyco, WorldCom, Adelphia, et al. We have read and heard about the "waiving of the ethics code or standard" and where compromises were made to ethical standards for business advantages. And now we hear about zero tolerance for unethical behavior. It now seems as though the pendulum is swinging strongly in the direction of zero tolerance for unethical behavior based upon the reactions to ethics misconduct cases across the corporate landscape. Good business leaders have ethics, character and integrity. To lead and operate an ethical organization, you have to create an environment for your people that allows them to operate in an ethical manner. Here are ten (10) tips from your strategic thinking business coach on how to build an environment of ethical behavior. - Strategic Business Tips On How To Achieve Civility In Today's Workplace
Today's workplace is very dynamic, sometimes very stressful, and too often not very civil. We certainly observe the lack of civility in the workplace with people calling each other names, engaging in personal attacks on each other, exhibiting rude and disruptive behaviors and the lack of respect for one another or ignorance of how behaviors affect others. I believe there is a real desire for the restoration of civility in the workplace. - Strategic Thinking Business Ethics Advice - Just Say NO – Loudly & Clearly - To Unethical Clients!
Have you ever been asked to do something unethical by one of your prospects or clients? Have you ever been pressured by a supervisor, manager or owner at your business to do something unethical? Have you ever observed unethical behavior by a prospect or client? One must always ask – what price do I put on my ethics? How can one justify a compromise of their ethics? It is essential to have some good advice on how to reduce the chance of an improper request from a client or prospect and how to respond when actually approached by an unethical prospect or client. Your strategic thinking business coach offers the following advice. - Business Ethics Guidelines - An Ethical Action Test From Your Strategic Thinking Business Coach
Each of us is ultimately responsible for our own actions. Although in today's business world, I imagine many skeptics would take exception to that statement because there is evidence that people are not held accountable for their actions, even when they are unethical. And even more disturbing, some are even rewarded for unethical actions. Each of us makes a choice to act ethically or to act unethically. It is essential that we know what is ethical and what is unethical. But, more challenging and difficult than knowing what is ethical, is knowing what is right and then doing what is right. Always doing the right thing is required for long-term success in your business and personal lives. So what advice and guidance are available to check if the action is right before implementing a decision to act? Well, your strategic thinking business coach has a set of questions to provide guidance to you for ethical decisions and actions.
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