The ethics of the business code should be part of the culture of your organization; and recent cases of business ethics prove this necessity. Fraud in large businesses and theft in small businesses are increasingly reported; Unfortunately, business ethics are under attack.How often do you have to make decisions during your work day? What underlies these decisions? Do you have a business vision statement and mission statement to help you make decisions? That is, can you align your decisions with your vision and mission? Many business owners and managers find it difficult to make decisions; not because they cannot decide, but because they need to make a decision without an ethical framework.Developing a code of business ethics is essential for all business owners. You need to determine how you want your business to work. If you have a written and accessible code of ethics, difficult decisions will become easier to make.

Business ethics is an almost daily topic in the news, in business schools, at work, and in our homes. I pay close attention to business ethics and what is written about it in my daily life as a strategic thinker, planner and business coach. I am still amazed at the remarks made by large corporations a few years ago when they said they had “abolished or suspended” a code of ethics or requirements. I’m still completely at a loss as to how anyone can “suspend or abandon” ethics.

While I may not be able to explain the suspension or withdrawal of ethics, I hope to provide sound advice on what businesses and other organizations should be doing today to represent, maintain and promote ethics in their organizations. Here are ten actions I would recommend:

1. Present ethical behavior as a requirement, not an option: Large business corporations are being tried, literally and figuratively, for very serious violations of ethics. Unethical behavior means you will eventually get caught. Today is a very good time to take advantage of the current business environment to present ethical behavior as a requirement rather than an option.
2. Be ethical in all daily interactions with internal and external stakeholders: Unfortunately, too many people believe that ethics should only be presented to “bad” companies that need to be reformed. Well, my experience is just the opposite. Companies with a solid track record of ethical and responsible behavior will benefit the most from a well-designed system that ensures the development of an ethical corporate culture. Every action of every employee within the framework of an ethical culture strengthens and strengthens the positive reputation of the company.
3. Present the desired ethical behavior in an ethical code of conduct: The ethical behavior of every worker should become a habit every minute of every hour of every day. No exceptions, waivers or suspensions of the Code of Ethics!
4. Maintain ethics so everyone knows that ethics are here to stay: While there may be “newcomers” to business ethics, ethical and responsible behavior has always been the standard in many companies. Even though ethical behavior may not lead to the desired improvement in profits, the alternative to unethical behavior is not a viable option. This commitment will preserve and expand the reputation that has been earned through consistent ethical behavior over time.
5. Maintain an ethical culture that serves as a foundation: If you are not being tested, it is easy to say that you are acting ethically. However, what do you do when faced with tough ethical decisions? A very positive indication that your ethics program is successful is that you have a built-in culture in which people will make the right choices, even if those choices are difficult, uncomfortable, or against the best interests of the individual or company.
6. Maintain an ethical culture that perpetuates ethics: The continued adherence to a strict code of ethical conduct will be the main impetus for ethics to become self-perpetuating. Behavior change will also occur in the sense that those who speak out against unethical behavior will be in the majority rather than those who simply ignore and do nothing when they observe unethical behavior. A true ethical culture will develop into a self-regulating peer-to-peer framework.
7. Promote ethics and its benefit: Too many companies will always look at the cost of something without looking at the benefits. The same goes for ethics. Unfortunately, too many companies will only look at adopting and enforcing a code of ethics in terms of how much it costs, and not in terms of the benefits it will reap. Ethical behavior and a culture of ethics will bring many benefits, including: improved employee relations, increased productivity, positive morale, and improved company image.
8. Promote ethics from above: If you have read Greek history and mythology, you may have come across the famous Greek saying that a fish rots from the head. In today’s business world, the adage applies. The message, spoken and unspoken from above, is critical to reinforcing positive, responsible and ethical behaviour. If top executives and top managers say one thing and do another, the idea of ​​ethical behavior becomes very confusing. Top management should use their position in the company to encourage and encourage ethical behavior. Senior leaders must “carry the conversation” and hold themselves to the same high ethical standards they expect from others and demonstrate these high standards in everything they say and do.

9. Promote a corporate culture where ethics is open to all: Ethics is not just for your leadership. It’s for everyone, every day. All employees in your company must be trained and convinced to behave ethically. With no exceptions!
10. Represent, preserve and promote ethics by rewarding ethical behavior: Develop a reward system that includes a component of benefits and rewards for ethical behavior, integrated with performance-based incentives. People who consistently demonstrate that they are guided by ethical behavior should be recognized and celebrated. There must be a clear link between ethical behavior and potential promotion. The consequences of a person’s unethical behavior should be immediately discussed and accompanied by a change in his career in the company.