Has honesty in business become a thing of the past? With so many people shifting to the internet, many are starting to ask this question as they fall prey to the dark side of the internet. The internet has a bad reputation and it constantly lives up to the billing. As people look for solutions to their problems, many end up investing their hard-earned money in “Get Rich Schemes” and then find out that they’ve been duped.

Collectively, as internet marketers and online business owners, we need to clean up our acts and bring old fashioned business ethics into the picture. If your definition of profit is only income or money, maybe ethics are not needed. But businesses can and should be more that just for money. Profits yes, but profits can be more that just financial. What about the value we can provide for our customers and our employees?

It’s all about CHARACTER. Reputation is what people think of you but CHARACTER is what you are. For goodness sakes, don’t leave your character at the front door of your business. Bring it inside with you.

Here are 7 ways in which you can bring ethics into your business:

1. Serve your customers well by providing great value and by giving them convenience. Give them fair prices, high quality products and services, and in return, they will reward you with their respect and loyalty.
2. Treat your employees well. If you have employees, pay them a good salary and provide benefits that can better their lives. Be kind, considerate, and grateful to them because they truly are your best assets.
3. Tell the truth. Be honest even when others may not be. Don’t worry about what others may or may not be doing but rather focus on what you’re doing.
4. Provide great customer service. Not only does this meet their needs but is also helps your business earn public trust. Remember, happy customers are repeat customers, and they are your best revenue generators.
5. Don’t participate in “Black Hat” practices. I’m amazed at the businesses that continue to use spamming to sell a product. Maybe it’s because it still works to a degree. But so many people are turned off by the practice, that you’re probably turning more customers away than you’re getting. Wouldn’t it be better to have a customer for a lifetime than to have tricked someone into a one-time sale.
6. Be respectable to your competitors. Look at them as motivation to do better. In an effort to make yourself look good, you can choose to either knock down your competition or build yourself up. The latter will serve you better.
7. Build a win-win situation for all. Building your business on a rock solid foundation of honesty makes so much business sense. Your customer gets what they want and you get a happy repeat costumer that will go out and tell his/her friends about you. You’re building great relationships and also a great reputation.

By conducting your business in an ethical and clean manner, you’ll sleep better at night knowing that you’re doing things right. You’ll have less stress knowing you’re running your business with high ethics.

So, what will it be for you? Will you play it clean, or deal dirty? The choice is up to you. I know what I’m going to do. Want to join me?

Wayne Kirby is a veteran online entrepreneur with over 15 years experience in launching and growing businesses. Wayne is a multiple six-figure earner and has a MBA Degree – with an emphasis in Marketing and Finance. Get insights into his current mentoring program and how he can help take your online business to the next level at this site

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Tags: ethics, workplace,issues, conduct, behavior

Ethics play a quiet, yet large part of our lives. Ethics come into play when we work, when we play, and at any time that we are interacting with others. Ethics are a set of rules that we each live by, essentially, although they are generally unwritten rules. Ethical behavior means that you are living, working, or playing in an ethical way – by the set of standards that are generally considered to be right or good.

Because we each have our own moral code, laws were written to protect us. Many of these laws are based on ethics, while others are not. However, most laws are there to more or less force us to practice ethical behavior, for fear of repercussions or consequences. Not all ethical behavior, however, has become law.

Take lying for instance. Yes, it is against the law to sit in a witness box, in a court of law, and lie. In fact, that is called perjury. However, it is not against the law to tell an acquaintance a lie. It is, however, unethical behavior. Cheating on your taxes is against the law, and unethical. Cheating when you are playing a game with friends or family members is not against the law, but it is still unethical behavior.

Most of us develop our own moral code – our sense of right and wrong – when we are growing up. We often base our morals on what we see around us. For example, if a child grows up with a parent who is prone to lying, that child may very well grow up to tell lies as well. They know that lying is wrong, but they don’t necessarily see it as something that is unethical. In some cases, they won’t even see lying as wrong, but instead as a way of life that they know.

Often, despite what you were raised with, you can redevelop your moral code and practice ethical behavior as a grown up. This is first done by establishing what ethical behavior – or unethical behavior – is exactly in the world that you live or work in. As a general rule, lying, cheating, stealing, or otherwise harming any other individual is considered to be bad ethical behavior. But there are other actions that constitute unethical behavior as well.

For example, if you don’t lie, but you don’t tell the whole truth – leaving certain parts out – this is unethical behavior, because you didn’t give someone else the opportunity to make an informed decision, or to act on accurate information. Unfortunately, many people will simply say ‘but I didn’t lie.’ It is true that you didn’t lie, but again, you withheld the truth, which may be considered the same as a lie.

Again, we begin learning about ethical behavior – or unethical behavior – as soon as we are old enough to take note of our surroundings as small children, but this doesn’t mean that we are stuck with those values. Many people have near perfect ethical behavior taught to them, but fail to use those ethics after they reach adulthood, or in some of their life or business dealings. So, you must ask yourself if you are practicing ethical behavior each and everyday. If you aren’t, correct the problem and try to do better in the future.

This and other topics that deal with corporate communications, business to customer relationships, and sales training through Collective Vision are just some of the topics discuss.

And now I would like to offer you one of my book chapters absolutely free. You can get instant access here

From Jed A. Reay – The Communicator/Connector and Visionary Master Sales Trainer.

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Tags: ethical, behavior, analysts, honor, business

The word ‘sorites’ derives from the Greek soros (meaning ‘heap’) and originally referred to a puzzle known as “The Heap” which is based on the following:

Would you describe a single grain of wheat as a heap? No. Would you describe two grains of wheat as a heap? No. … You must admit the presence of a heap sooner or later, so where do you draw the line?

Similarly:

Would you describe a man with one hair on his head as bald? Yes. Would you describe a man with two hairs on his head as bald? Yes. … You must refrain from describing a man with ten thousand hairs on his head as bald, so where do you draw the line?

“Where do you draw the line?” is a real question for most of us. When it comes to our principles, happiness, willingness to tolerate uncomfortable people or circumstances, when is enough, enough? Somehow, we know when we are approaching our limit. I guess it is like we know a heap and a hairless skull when we see it. It is more difficult, however, to always know where to draw the line between right and wrong. That line is where you stand when you need to make a choice. It is the place where questions live and wait for each of us to provide our own answers.

Where do you draw the line between “beating the system” and cheating?

Where do you draw the line between “working the angles” and being dishonest?

Where do you draw the line between “everybody does it” and disobeying the law?

Where do you draw the line between “bending the rules” and break them?

Where do you draw the line between “knowing” and ignoring what is happening around you?

Go ahead — draw the line…no one is watching

For more info you can check here.

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I’ve been wondering this for a while and have been dying to ask my business colleagues and friends. But whenever I’m get ready to pop the question, I manage to convince myself that it’s silly, reveals my cynical nature (or advance years!) and is probably just a figment of my jaded imagination… certainly not worthy of intelligent discussion.

The question, however, continued to reside nervously on the tip of my tongue, eager to fly out (particularly just after leaving my apparently mute colleague a fourth voice mail message). But it wasn’t until I read Keith Ferrazzi’s masterful book, “Never Eat Alone” that I summoned the courage to thunderously and openly inquire, “Are people, particularly those in business, much ruder than they use to be?”

And… “Have we become so numb to it that we actually expect – and worst yet, accept it as normal and okay?”

I think yes. I hope I’m wrong.

Let me, however, step back a bit… Why did Ferrazzi’s book serve as my catalyst?

The short answer is that it’s just plain good. It is a brilliantly written book – simple without being simplistic – in the same league as Dale Carnegie’s classic “How to Win Friends and Influence People.”
And in an age when everyone seems to be a marketing, internet or personal motivation coach it’s refreshing to read something so balanced and genuinely inspired. Most importantly, however, Ferrazzi reminds us that we’re not in this alone – people make business happen!

He reiterates what some of us already know. We’re all better off – emotionally, financially, and physically – when we take the time to build thoughtful, intimate (not in the “biblical” sense :>) and sincere relationships with others. Ferrazzi says that while our personal styles and levels of openness should be adjusted as appropriate, making strong human connections is essential to our well being. I couldn’t agree more! This is, after all, what it’s all about – and long overdue advice. Thanks, Keith!

But then it occurred to me. How can you develop relationships with people when they don’t call, email, or show up – even when they’ve promised to do so?!

And I’m not referring about those little, unintentional slip-ups that happen to all of us occasionally – like when you’ve forgotten your Aunt Hilda’s birthday; or waited until the last minute to send in your wedding RSVP; or failed to send a thank-you note.

No, what I’m talking about is far more baffling and egregious. I’m referring to the friends who call you one day before your big dinner party and reiterate how much they’re looking forward to seeing you – and then don’t show up – no explanation, no call, no nothing.

Or how about that real estate agent who promises to get back to you with a price no later than 2 pm, and you never hear from them again?

And what about that old friend or colleague who can’t wait to have lunch with you next Thursday and then doesn’t return your confirmation calls or emails?

Then there’s my favorite… you’ve killed yourself to help someone get something “urgent” done (usually a boss or co-worker) and even managed to save the day… You email “the document” before the deadline, sure that the recipient will be relieved and grateful. But you never find out. No “thank you”. No “way to go”. No nothing.

Or is it just me? Maybe so…

I was raised in a home where we were taught to treat everyone with the same amount of respect and kindness. Period. Behavior that didn’t measure up to this standard was not tolerated. We learned that the true measure of someone’s character rested in their commitment to do the right thing – even when they didn’t have to.

For example, whenever I leave a hotel room, I wipe off the counters; gather my towels together in one convenient spot; turn off the television, lights and air conditioning; return the iron to the closet; and make sure that all my scraps of paper are where they belong – in the trash can.

Why? Because it’s just the right thing to do (and my mother would probably rise up out of her grave and kick my butt if I didn’t :>). Yes, hotels employ a cleaning staff who “are paid” to clean up after me, but why should they? It’s my mess. I was responsible for making it, so I am responsible for cleaning it up – even if I don’t have to.

I have adopted my parents’ code and although I sometimes fail, I continually strive to measure up to those standards.

But what does this look like in the “real world”? It means you…

1. Return calls… even if it’s only to say “no”

2. Honor your commitments… if you tell someone you’re going to do something, you do it. If you absolutely cannot, you let them know beforehand.

3. When you’re asked to RSVP, you do so

4. Say “thank you” and “please”… to strangers, friends, family members, waiters and waitresses, taxi drivers, colleagues, children, teenagers… everyone.

5. Call when you’re going to be late

6. Return emails (unless it’s spam)

7. Welcome people into your home… do your best to make them feel comfortable and important

8. Clean up after yourself

9. Value other people’s privacy

10. Honor your parents

11. Respect elders

12. Chew gum quietly

13. Say “excuse me” when you burp

14. Open doors for others

15. Allow someone with only two items to move ahead of you in the grocery line

16. Respect other cultures, religions, ethnicities and the like.

17. Don’t push in front of someone… even if you’re in a car

18. Share your things

19. Don’t act like a pig… even if it’s at an All-You-Can-Eat buffet

20. Don’t brag

21. Never litter

Are these rules a thing of the past? Passé in today’s fast-paced culture? Old fashioned? Silly? Or am I just imagining things?

But if I’m not… why? Are we overloaded, overbooked and over committed? Has it become too easy to make excuses? Have we been forced into a “every-man-for-himself” mindset? Did our parents and teachers fail us?

Or is it that we just don’t care because they’re not important. What do you think?

Mary Eule specializes in helping small and medium-sized businesses get and keep profitable customers. Formerly a Fortune 500 marketing executive; founder of two successful small businesses and award-winning speaker, Ms. Eule is President of Strategic Marketing Advisors, LLC. and co-author of a new book, “Mandatory Marketing: Small Business Edition”.

She has a BA in Journalism/English from the University of Maryland and earned her a master’s degree in marketing from Johns Hopkins University. Log onto her website for free articles, newsletter and helpful marketing tools, tips and templates… and/or to purchase the book.

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Tonight I’m going out with two extremely impressive ladies who I am introducing to one another. They are both GORGEOUS, in their mid 20s and both incredibly intelligent. One is divorced with kids and is probably one of the most flawless and incredibly beautiful women I’ve ever met, the other is single and possibly one of the most fashionable and forward thinking women I’ve ever met.

One of these ladies I’ve been coaching for over a year, the other is a new client. I thought that they would really enjoy each other because they are both serious about their work, both make a lot of money, are very smart and they have another few things in common.

They FLIRT!

Okay, let me get one thing straight. Neither of them HAS to flirt. Men would fall all over either of them just because of their beauty alone. But they both have very outgoing personalities and are charming in addition to being smart. They also have ANOTHER thing in common.

WOMEN DESPISE THEM.

I know! Can you believe it!? Women hate both of these ladies because of their beauty and their talent. Not only do women despise them but they are torturous to them! They talk behind their backs, they spread rumors and they treat them mean.

CAT FIGHT, CAT FIGHT.. I can just hear all of you guys now! Oh PLEASE! I know enough about you guys to know that you have envy too, but you just handle it differently.. like try to injure each other on the basketball court, or kill each other on the golf course. Okay, maybe not as much, but men are naturally competitive and it drives you harder. You often feel you have control over your destiny since you are often judging yourself on your income.

Women? We get judged on our looks first, and THEN everything else.

The thing about both of these women is that they are some of the nicest people I know. They are fun and lively and smart. They are ambitious and they are interesting to talk to. I have enjoyed getting to know both of them very much and I just know that if women would take some time to get to know them, they’d enjoy their company. But instead, the women demean themselves by displaying raging jealousy and use up all of their energy in a negative way… instead of being productive.

Okay, let me address the fact that they flirt. What I’ve counseled at least one of the ladies to do is to be personable and friendly when work isn’t the primary focus, but when presenting to an audience, especially in a mixed group, professionalism is the best bet.

One rule of thumb: Don’t flirt at the office. Okay, if you do flirt, then just don’t flirt in front of other women. That brings up insecurity in other women. And DON”T flirt with another woman’s man when she’s there. That is the ULTIMATE “no no”!

So I have two challenges here for ladies. If you are beautiful and in business A) Be better than everyone else at your job. Come early, stay late and be committed to your company. If people are going to be talking about you (and they will) at least they won’t be able to say that you don’t work hard. You know that they’ll be saying things like that you “slept your way to the top” and that can be damaging to your reputation. So be the #1 employee in your department and do whatever you can do education wise to stay on top.

Next, be a supporter to other women. You are a target for hatred, jealousy and other women’s insecurity. Whatever you can do to pull women together or serving them will help women get over your major issue of beauty. If you are a mom and don’t have time to throw networking get “togethers”, then at least make sure you have a few female friends in your back pocket to commiserate with. I’ve encouraged these women to get on a sports team so they aren’t seen as the “pretty and successful” ones there. They can be sweating it out looking gross like everyone else.

“Although I bet these two women don’t sweat. They’re too perfect. You should see them, I bet they never have ANY problems.. I have had to work SO much harder than them and I never had anyone coaching me when I was THEIR age. Hmmmmph!”

Ooopss!! I guess I even have to catch myself at times. I remind myself that we are all on our own paths and that while beauty and money may make life a bit easier, they can make it a bit more challenging too.

And you know I LLLLLLOOOOOOVVVVVVVVVE a challenge!

For more information: please visit my site.

Mary Gardner, The Charisma Coach! is an Executive Communications Consultant and Trainer. She works with, coaches and trains individuals, sales teams, executives, and celebrities. She owned and operated one of the first coaching institutions on the east coast, CCI, in NYC, Philly and NJ. Mary has appeared on ABC’s 20/20 and has self published a book on public speaking. Mary is married to Sway and is mommy to Jeremy 5, and lives in Orlando, FL.

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Tags: behaviour, behavior, business, practices, ethics

Breaking news may feature the Enron debacle, WorldCom activities, or accounting problems but we live our everyday business life making ethical choices that affect our employment and businesses. Consider the ethical choices made in these situations:

-A restaurateur hired a firm, used the firm’s ideas, benefited from them and refused to pay for the services rendered.
-A partner used intellectual property created by another partner for his own personal benefit.
-An independent consultant who was hired to sell a particular firm’s services and products used that firm’s database of customers and prospects to sell his own speaking services.
-An employee took a new job with a prospect’s firm and continued on working both jobs until the first employer found out and fired her.
-A business person volunteered to perform specific services for a nonprofit organization and failed to perform those services, did not make other arrangements to perform the services, or even acknowledge that the commitment had been made.
-An employee used hours of regular, paid, in-office time to research how to start her own new business.

While these are not on the newsworthy scale of an Enron, they are on a scale that affected each business involved, some even resulting in disastrous outcomes.

We all try to learn from our own mistakes and from those of others as well. We now employ lawyers to write, review and potentially defend every business agreement. We are ready to go to court if need be. The distressing fact is all of that preparation and cost still will not stop someone from behaving unethically. And unethical behavior may indeed still be legal behavior.

What is so difficult about applying the concept of right and wrong to everyday business decisions? I would venture a guess that, sociopathic behavior aside, the vast majority of business people know when they are about to do something that is ethically questionable. Most will have a debate in their own minds about should I or shouldn’t I. What is your instant response when you get change for a $20 when you know you gave the clerk a $10? The answer to that internal debate is what determines our ethical behavior.

While we can point fingers at corporations, lawmakers and politicians, we have a personal responsibility to contribute to the ethical fabric in our everyday life. So how can we support each other is those debates? What can we do to help each other arrive at an ethical decision and behave in an ethical manner?

I challenge every ethical business person to step up and make your voice heard when you witness unethical behavior. You not only have the right, you have the responsibility to do so.

I challenge every business organization, every chamber of commerce, every professional association, every Rotary, Lions and other Club, to participate in a meaningful way in actively rebuilding business ethics. Not just in your mission statement, but in your day-to-day member services and even through your own leadership.

There are many ways to start right now to begin rebuilding a strong culture of business ethics. Use your ubiquitous brown bag lunch sessions to address the everyday dilemmas of business ethics. Select a speaker for your next luncheon who can address the process of making ethical decisions. Have round table discussions about solving ethical problems. Schedule an ethics workshop at your next leadership retreat.

And on a personal level, participate in those meetings, sessions and roundtables. You can also mentor other business owners, business people, employees and students in the practical applications of day-to-day business ethics. We need you to let your colleagues know that you find it unacceptable to behave in an unethical manner. Make it plain and simple. Be clear with your peers that they can expect you to be ethical in your actions and that you welcome communication if they ever think you are behaving otherwise.

Let’s apply the 80-20 rule. If 80% of business people are operating in an outwardly supportive, ethical environment, don’t you think it will affect the 20% who are going through that internal ethical debate? We can affect this ethical morass we find ourselves in. Let’s stop blaming the rest of the world, take a look in the mirror and make some changes.

* From the 1976 film “Network” written by Paddy Chayefsky. The line was delivered by Peter Finch who played anchorman Howard Beale.

Gloria Berthold is President of TargetGov at Marketing Outsource Associates, Inc. She is one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women, a Winner of the Innovator of the Year Award, Past-Chairwoman of the Baltimore/Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce, a national speaker, educator and expert in government contracting and effective business-to-business marketing strategies. She can be reached through this site.

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Tags: workplace, training, ethics, communication, behavior

Many companies claim to be committed to diversity, but private carrier Pepsico has proven their desire for a diverse employee base. With the progression of globalization in the world, Pepsi continues to embrace and value diversity in customers, suppliers and employees. If you are interested in driving in a private fleet that respects a diverse work force, Pepsico is the private carrier company for you.

Pepsi truck driving requirements include a minimum age of 21 years, a CDL license, and a clean driving record going at least three years back, because safety is a top priority of any company, especially when it comes to vehicles. Pepsi truck drivers should be able to act professionally with customers, safely lift 40 pound loads throughout the workday, and promptly and accurately maintain Pepsico standards.

As a diverse employer, Pepsi has been recognized repeatedly for its work force which is not only diverse but also quite accomplished and successful. Pepsi is regularly recognized for minority, multicultural and female business opportunities in such notable publications as Fortune, Latina Style, Minority MBA Magazine, the American Advertising Federation Center on Multiculturalism, Div2000, the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council and diversityinc.com. These awards include “The 50 Best Companies for Minorities,” “Corporate Mosaic Award,” “Top 50 Companies in Diversity,” “America’s Top Corporations for Women’s Business Enterprises,” “Hispanic Corporate 100,” and “50 Best Companies for Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics.”

Worth Magazine, OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration), and other organizations have also recognized Pepsi for their generous contributions to communities and for safety.

A truck driving position at Pepsi offers many opportunities, not the least of which being to work for a company that Fortune named the #3 American “Most Admired Companies List for Beverages.”

Find a trucking job for a Private Carrier at fullfleet.com

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