Whatever happened to business ethics?

Call me old fashioned but have business ethics changed or have the liars and cheats always been with us but through the media they are just more visible? The indomitable Ruth Badger of the Apprentice when asked if she would lie on a CV replied ‘sure I would.’ My esteem for the super sales woman dropped in an instant.At a more serious level, the corporate world is littered with senior management who not only lied and flaunted the law but caused mayhem with the lives of their hard working staff.  For me, trust is an essential element of doing business. Without it you might as well not bother.

I have always worked on the premise that before you open a door you never know who will be sitting at the desk on the other side. Names you remember vaguely or had forgotten entirely have a nasty habit of materialising from the past. If your history with them was not positive their impact can be very painful. If you have never done anyone down or cheated in the business process you have no fear of this ever happening to you. Honesty has always been the best policy. It also ensures you get a good night’s sleep. In my view business is stressing enough without the added worry of what you might have done in the past effecting the quality of your future.