|
Presented by
Ellen Reddick
&
Lorie
Gonzales
Contact us at:
info@elitebusinesscommunications.com
Great Seminars for Your Company
Defining Markets ~ Defining Moments
How to Market & Sell to Each Generation
Call us for a courtesy introduction
~
‘Everyone thinks of changing the world,
but no one thinks of changing himself.’
Leo Tolstoy
~
Conduct business etiquette training with our
seminars and materials:
Booklets
Tip Sheets
Power Point Presentations
www.elitebusinesscommunications.com
Etiquette is powerful
and it will make your
business stand
apart from the competition.
For additional details please contact us:
801-466-1300
877-345-1300
How do your employees conduct themselves at a
business meal with your best client?
You better find out!
Elite’s ~ The Art of the Business Meal
For Your Entire Staff
Call
Elite to discuss our 2007 offerings
The
greatest discovery of
my
generation is that
human beings
can alter their lives
by
altering their
attitudes of mind.
William James
See the Elite Business web site for seminar details.
www.elitebusinesscommunications.com
Your
comments, feedback and suggestions are always
welcome at
info@elitebusinesscommunications.com.
|
Ethics and Etiquette
What they are and why they both matter!
People
ask me during my etiquette workshops whether I
conduct seminars on ethics, thinking it is much the
same thing. While these are related concepts, there
is a distinction between ethics and etiquette,
especially as they relate to decision making in
business and in society.
As
defined in the dictionary: Ethic (n) 1.a. A
set of principles of right conduct. b. A theory or a
system of moral values. 2. ethics. The rules or
standards governing the conduct of a person or the
members of a profession. Etiquette (n). The
practices and forms prescribed by social convention
or by authority. The codes governing correct
behavior. Forms of conduct as prescribed in polite
society.
In
simpler terms, to think ethically means to direct
your thoughts toward compliance with the rules, the
contributions you can make, and the harmful
consequences to avoid. To use proper etiquette means
you are familiar with the current acceptable social
codes of behavior in a particular country, culture,
and society. In business—as in life—your decisions
should take into account the thought processes
surrounding both ethics and etiquette. “To do the
right thing begins with thinking rightly,” say
authors Robert Solomon and Kristine Hanson in their
book, It’s Good Business.
I
hope these eight principles from their book will
help you use both ethics and etiquette when making
decisions:
1.
Consider
the well-being of others, including
non-participants. Although it is good to follow both
the Golden Rule and new Platinum Rule*, it is
equally important not to sacrifice your own beliefs.
Always contribute to the general good and avoid
consequences that will hurt others. (Platinum Rule:
“Do unto others as they would like to be treated.”)
2.
Act
as a member of the business community. Standards,
rules of propriety, and fairness enable businesses
to prosper. Practices such as respecting contracts,
employees, and others; paying debts and other
obligations; and selling legitimate products at a
just and fair price are the fundamental principles
of an ethical business.
3.
Obey,
but do not depend solely on, the law. Ethical
thinking goes beyond being a lawful person. Actions
that are not illegal, such as taking advantage of
someone’s trust, are still unethical.
4.
Serve society.
A business thrives when it serves its customers,
community, and society at-large. Whatever level of
business in which you work---and the larger your
company---being involved in your community is the
right thing to do.
5.
Follow your morals.
Morals and concerns with the judgment of the
goodness or badness of human action and character
are the foundation of ethics, along with considering
the well-being of others. German philosopher
Immanuel Kant called morals “categorical
imperatives.” They are the “unqualified commands”
without exception, even for busy executives on the
brink of a profitable deal.
6. Think objectively.
To determine whether an action is truly right, and
not just a rationalization of self-interest, it is
essential to think from a neutral perspective and
without personal benefit.
7.
Have character.
Before you sign contracts and cut deals, ask, “What
sort of person would do such a thing?” Ethics is
derived from the Greek word ethos, meaning
“character.” Ethics is not so much obedience to
rules as it is the upkeep of your personal and
company character, specifically your “good name.”
Peter Drucker summarizes business ethics as “being
able to look at your face in the mirror in the
morning.”
8.
Respect other customs,
but not at the expense of your own ethics. The
hardest ethical decisions are not typically a
conflict between ethics and profits, but one between
two ethical systems. Sure, “when in Rome...” is a
good guideline in most instances, but when a custom
violates your morals, it is best to stick to what
you know.
Food for Thought!
1338
South Foothill Drive, Suite 205
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
801-466-1300
1-877-345-1300
www.elitebusinesscommunications.com
info@elitebusinesscommunications.co
Copyright ©2006 Elite Business Communications, Inc. |
