Entrepreneur Blog

What does Ethics mean to you? Before you answer lets put the question in context.  I’m assuming that most reading this are in business.  According to Wikipedia business is: “the social science of managing people to organize and maintain collective productivity toward accomplishing particular creative and productive goals, usually to generate profit.”

So basically it’s working with people to earn a profit.  Because we are working with people and money there are a lot of questions about what is ethical behavior or practices.  I think it is our responsibilities. as business owners, entrepreneurs and members of society to not always go for the quick buck if it’s not right.  This is in the consumers best interest but ours as well.  It is very tempting to say well it’s not that bad and I’ll make really good money which will allow me to grow my business and do a lot of good.  That quick buck can do a lot of bad for that customer and for your reputation.  It’s in your best interest as well to do the right thing.

I’m not here to try and tell you what’s right but simply offer some advice and my opinion.  To do so I’ll use some famous quotes that say it a lot better than I could

“Do unto others as you would have done unto you”

“Cowardice asks the question - is it safe?
Vanity asks the question - is it popular?
Expediency asks the question - is it politic?
But conscience asks the question - is it right?

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, popular, or political: but because it is Right. 

Dr. Martin Luther King

So I’m not telling you what is right or wrong but when making big and even small decisions stop and ask yourself: Is it right?  You will benefit in the long run and your business will do much better.