Kalpana Heliya
Par 100 posts (V.I.P)
Now more than ever, consumers respect companies with strong ethical values, both toward customers and among employees. Small businesses that create a high ethical standard—and present this in their advertising to consumers—will surely find growing customer support and loyalty. For this reason alone, fostering and nurturing internal ethical values is worthwhile.
Beyond this, however, promoting and maintaining ethical values within a small business can produce:
• Increased employee loyalty and motivation
• Greater trust and respect between employees and managers
• Respect among employees for the company's vision and mission statement
• Reduced employee turnover
• Increased productivity and a greater sense of teamwork
• Less stress in the workplace
• Higher quality production, both in services and manufactured goods
• Fewer fines and lawsuits from customers, suppliers and employees
The fostering of ethical values within a company should not be a hit-or-miss ideal. Rather, it should be a goal that is achieved through systematic planning and implementation. The following action steps and management attitudes are key for any organization aspiring to create an environment that encourages and maintains ethical values:
1. Employees always look upward for inspiration and guidance. Top executives must embody the ethical values they espouse. Upper management must maintain a clear, consistent vision of morality toward customers, suppliers and employees.
2. Treatment of customers by employees at all levels must be consistently ethical. This standard must be supported and even rewarded, rather than discouraged and painted as "expensive" or unjustly time-consuming.
3. All product and service guarantees and warranties must be honored as stated. Products must be of the quality promised, and services must be of the quality advertised.
4. Treatment, promotion and rewarding of employees must be consistent and fair.
5. The decisions of all departments within a company should be based on what is ethical, not simply on what is cost-effective or convenient.
6. The creation and maintenance of ethical values should be made a part of key company, department and team meetings. Management should give time to discussions about the importance of ethical values and activities, and present tangible examples of how these have benefited the company (such as increased revenues, lowered costs, reduced production waste, lowered employee turnover, positive customer testimonials and increased customer loyalty).
7. Programs should be established that promote ethical behavior in the workplace. These could include recognition in newsletters and employee of the month awards, financial rewards, and increased responsibility and salary.
By implementing one or all of the steps mentioned above, your small business is well on its way to being a company where customers are proud to do business and employees are pleased to work.
Beyond this, however, promoting and maintaining ethical values within a small business can produce:
• Increased employee loyalty and motivation
• Greater trust and respect between employees and managers
• Respect among employees for the company's vision and mission statement
• Reduced employee turnover
• Increased productivity and a greater sense of teamwork
• Less stress in the workplace
• Higher quality production, both in services and manufactured goods
• Fewer fines and lawsuits from customers, suppliers and employees
The fostering of ethical values within a company should not be a hit-or-miss ideal. Rather, it should be a goal that is achieved through systematic planning and implementation. The following action steps and management attitudes are key for any organization aspiring to create an environment that encourages and maintains ethical values:
1. Employees always look upward for inspiration and guidance. Top executives must embody the ethical values they espouse. Upper management must maintain a clear, consistent vision of morality toward customers, suppliers and employees.
2. Treatment of customers by employees at all levels must be consistently ethical. This standard must be supported and even rewarded, rather than discouraged and painted as "expensive" or unjustly time-consuming.
3. All product and service guarantees and warranties must be honored as stated. Products must be of the quality promised, and services must be of the quality advertised.
4. Treatment, promotion and rewarding of employees must be consistent and fair.
5. The decisions of all departments within a company should be based on what is ethical, not simply on what is cost-effective or convenient.
6. The creation and maintenance of ethical values should be made a part of key company, department and team meetings. Management should give time to discussions about the importance of ethical values and activities, and present tangible examples of how these have benefited the company (such as increased revenues, lowered costs, reduced production waste, lowered employee turnover, positive customer testimonials and increased customer loyalty).
7. Programs should be established that promote ethical behavior in the workplace. These could include recognition in newsletters and employee of the month awards, financial rewards, and increased responsibility and salary.
By implementing one or all of the steps mentioned above, your small business is well on its way to being a company where customers are proud to do business and employees are pleased to work.