About ethics in business

I’m taking a plunge here and deciding to begin a conversation around business ethics as it relates especially to our VA practices. Whew ... a mouthful that is, isn't it? Actually, I'm simply wanting to take a look at a few things and explore this a bit more. I'm walking (writing) ever so gingerly, as I begin this task! I appreciate your patience with me, as I invite you along, dear reader.

I met a local VA-practice-owner several months ago. We had a conversation on this topic of ethics in business, which led me to do a bit of pondering on this issue. I realized then, that since my studies on this subject while in training, I’ve not done more exploring on this as it relates to the VA industry. (BTW, if you have a recommendation of a great resource, I’d really love to hear it! Please share it here, if you'd like!)

Each of us, as business owners and VAs, decides how to present and conduct his/her own business, aligning it with his/her values and ethics. How do we maintain the highest standards, honesty in all dealings, and walk with utmost integrity? Those of us who have trained with AssistU spent a great deal of time discussing and thinking through important issues like these. This is part of laying a firm foundation for our VA business. Naturally, the foundation needs to be maintained and each subsequent brick added must conform to the foundation's standards. We realize this, don't we?

I've learned that there are organizations who want to help guide the code of conduct around business ethics for VAs. Some offer to "verify" ethical standards of VAs (not sure how that can be done really). This isn't anything new, but I've not paid much attention to it until now. Perhaps, because I addressed and settled this issue for me early on.

Now, I will research and learn more about this, but I'm wondering how (if at all) this is impacting the VA industry. I expect I'll report any interesting findings at a later date.

But for now, I do want to share this from Adrian Savage’s blog because it makes great sense to me -- in a really, really big way! He contends that "legalism and ethics don't mix." Hmmmm ... I think he's hit on something critical to this whole issue.

Here's a highlight:

"A legalistic approach to ethics reduces it to mere compliance with a pre-set code of conduct; a passive response requiring no thought. That's a mockery of ethics, not a way of encouraging it. "

and one more ...

"Ethics isn't about staying out of trouble and avoiding problems. It's about understanding those problems and the reasons for the trouble they cause. "

I get it! Adrian shares more about this, and I definitely think it's worth checking out.

Comments

[Mimi]

Gloria, thanks so much for writing this article and pointing us to Adrian Savage's blog.

I'm very interested in what your research into ethics and the VA industry brings to light. We ask our clients to trust us and we must trust them in return...but on what basis, really? As you observe, just how do organizations "verify" the ethical standards of VAs?

Surrounded as we are with rampant corporate greed and chicanery on every side it's amazing how much trust still exists in the business world.

I appreciate your tackling a difficult subject. Many thanks.

[Gloria]

Hi, Mimi -- I'm glad to learn you found Adrian's blog! Yay!! Thanks, too, for taking the time to comment here, I look forward to hearing from you again! :) ~ Gloria

[David Montgomery]

Hi, I ran across your blog when doing some research. One other thing to mention that I believe goes along with the quote from Adrian Savage is that what is considered ethical is what society considers ethical. It does not matter whether society is correct or not. Thus, you may think you are acting ethically and keeping yourself out of trouble, but if society views your action/inaction as unethical, it's unethical. It's a tough world! There are so many gray areas in business ethics, and a wrong move can lead to pretty bad consequences.

[Gloria]

Hello, David -- Yes, you make a valid point; society's impact is unquestionably felt in this arena. Thanks so much for adding to the conversation! I hope to *see* you here often! :) -- Gloria