Does Your Business Need a Code of Ethics?

A code of ethics is common among large corporations. Many smaller businesses have realized the value of developing and establishing a code of ethics. In today’s competitive market place, potential customers will lean toward a company that displays its code of ethics over a company that does not have a code of ethics.

A code of ethics is a method of establishing an occupational or business identity. It is also an indication of business maturity and commitment to conduct business in an ethical manner. Many businesses use the established code of ethics on marketing material. This promotes the businesses commitment to provide and to adhere to ethical business practices.

A well-developed code of ethics will define behaviors a business deems as unacceptable and establishes a guideline of acceptable behavior. This provides employees with clear direction and guidance as far as what behavior is expected. This also conveys to your customers you are committed to honest and professional business practices. It will help a business establish trust with current and potential customers.

Establishing a code of ethics benefits the business and its employees. The ethics provide a benchmark for employees to use to ensure their conduct meets the needs and requirements of the organization. A strong code of ethics provides a structure for the responsibilities and professional behavior of a business and its employees. It also informs employees that misconduct is unacceptable and will not be tolerated within the organization.

Even the smallest of businesses can benefit by establishing a code of ethics. You do not have to hire a professional or spend money developing a code of ethics. It is an invaluable marketing tool as well a method to convey to potential customers the business is committed to exemplary business conduct. This simple tool will also help a business brand its services and establish its professional reputation.

Filed Under: Ethics Tagged With: ,

Tips for Professional Conduct in a Business Setting

Professional conduct in a business environment is an important key towards success. Showing others self comportment in a polite and confident manner without being overly obnoxious or overbearing impresses those who are watching.

Be ethical at all times. Regardless if it’s working with another employee or creating a deal, ethics should be at the top of the list. It shows honesty and a willingness to keep the hands above the table to others, creating an atmosphere of trust.

Act appropriately in the office. Every office atmosphere is different. Be sensitive to the moods and attitudes of others and act accordingly. There is a time to be boorish, and the office is not one of them. To be sure acting out is a form of stress relief. Do it in the appropriate areas outside of work.

Avoid conflicts of interest with the client. The idea is to demonstrate that the employee holds their own employer as an entity who has no interest in anything other than the contracted relationship. Don’t go offering services to the client that will cause a conflict with the employer. It shows a lack of moral conduct on the part of the employee.

Maintain the tightest of confidentiality with the customer. Demonstrate to them that the employee and employer can be trusted with sensitive information. If information that has been supplied is only meant for certain persons, keep it that way. Don’t bandy about or offer information on this latest hot project. It can keep until long after the work has been completed.

Don’t say something can be done when in reality it cannot. There may be an overwhelming urge to show management a capability. What really may happen is that the work is way beyond abilities and will cause the employee to fall flat on their face. This definitely does not look good.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Guidance, Human Resources Tagged With: , ,

The Business of Ethics

When a person or group goes into business for themselves, they will follow a code of ethics. Ethics are a kind of moral code that people live by, a scale to measure what they will or will not do or find acceptable. While not everyone shares the same group of ethics with the rest of the world, there are a few that most businesses have in common and that people like to see in the companies they deal with.

Honesty
A company needs to be honest about their product. They may offer a well-made and durable product but they should not lead their customers to expect more from it than it can do. For instance, if they manufacture the highest quality lawn mower, they should not claim that it can easily transform into a snow-blower unless can and it is truly user-friendly.

Loyalty
Loyalty is usually something a company wants to see from its customers, but a company needs to have some level of loyalty to its customers as well. This loyalty could be defined as ‘the customer is always right’ or they could show it by keeping the customer happy and listening to their feedback or offering perks as a way to say ‘thank you.’

Integrity
The ability to adhere to the principles laid out for a company is the most vital of all ethics. It will never matter how long the list of a company’s principles are if they do not bother to stick with them. While a customer can be told that a company is honest and loyal, integrity can only be proven over time. When customers see that a company sticks by its return policy and that they consistently offer the quality product expected of them, it is not only their current customers who will take notice. People who have never used their service or product will see their integrity when happy customers talk to their friends.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Filed Under: Ethics Tagged With: , ,