About Business Ethics: Articles by Jeannine Clontz

All About Business Ethics

I would like to start by thanking the International Virtual Assistants Association for allowing me the privilege of providing information on business ethics to the membership. I hope you will find these articles informative and thought provoking, and that they are a valuable tool when making ethical decisions that will affect your business and your relationship with clients, family, and friends.

I recently received an E-mail from an associate, an elected official in a nearby community, offering me a $20 Applebee's gift certificate if I forwarded this official, signed by the owner of Applebee's, E-mail to nine of my friends and family. It said that Applebee's was looking to increase awareness in rural areas, so I immediately wondered how anyone would know I was in a rural area by my e-mail address.

I headed for my favorite hoax site, and forwarded information to the more than 80 E-mail addresses detailed in the message, that this was indeed a hoax and not to send it to anyone.

In response, the originator told me that he knew it was a hoax when he sent it. Hoping to discourage him in the future, I asked him why he would knowingly perpetuate a hoax that could put the E-mail addresses of his friends and family in jeopardy of being harvested for spam, not to mention the reflection on him as an elected official who represents people on important issues.

I got an almost immediate response detailing that it had nothing to do with his being an alderman, and that this is how he prefers to communicate with friends and family on a regular basis. We obviously have different ideas of communicating with friends and family. In my mind, this is a reflection on his reputation, which I would think is important to the people he represents. My mistake!

He didn't take the time to consider what harm it would do to them (friends and family) or to consider his reputation. That's what ethics are all about. Thinking beyond the scope of your business, and making sure that what you're doing is legal, fair to everyone (will it favor one party over another?), and that you do no harm (how will it make me feel about myself?).

In closing, I encourage you to E-mail me with your ethical dilemmas. I will be happy to help you consider all the options in making your decision. Additionally, with permission, we'd like to feature your dilemma and ethical solutions in a future article.

Wishing you continued success and the wisdom to consider ethical decisions.

©Copyright Accurate Business Services April 2003