Yes, Ms. Smith

Yes, Ms. Smith – we must broaden our thinking!

Our world of complex relationships and diverse cultures forces us to go beyond our traditional pre-21st century thinking in regards to ethical behavior. Pre-21st century concern primarily was three-fold: social issues, products and services and environmental.

However, the post 21st century engenders other emerging ethical areas of concern: medical, supply chain management and technical.

The challenge is how, as individuals and societies will these emerging ethical concerns be embraced? Can we rely on the business community, which historically has focused more on profitability rather than doing what is right? Let us be clear - the business community has the charge to create wealth for its stockholders. That is their purpose. With this clear mission, then the business community must be challenged by society to do what is right.

Right in the conduct of business – product responsibility
Right in the treatment of stakeholders – social responsibility
Right in legal requirements – guided by values

Unethical Behavior? Gulf Spill

Much has been said along with a multitude of activity to minimize the effect of one of the worst environmental disasters in modern history – contamination of the Gulf. When considered, the gulf oil spill represents a careless attitude on the part of the business community. Careless from the standpoint – BP has violated a business truism –having a contingency plan.

What is amazing beyond lacking a valid contingency plan is the firm’s reaction to the devastation. It immediately had no problem in rewarding its stockholders or hiring a public relations organization to help mitigate perceptions while families and the habitat remain in chaos.

Ultimately, from my perspective, BP should be awarded a trophy for its greed over principle. The firm’s greed can be summed up as unethical business behavior violating environmental concerns as well as society. The question is – how should we, society react?

It appears unethical behavior in the business world has gone into overtime. Most recently, we see firms such as Toyota and BP putting profits ahead of the welfare of its customers. Sadly these firms have demonstrated practices that in the short-run enhance the pockets of the firm’s leadership while stakeholders will experience the long-run impact. The impact could be in the form of ecological and environmental damage, damaged and crippled economy, excessive governmental regulation - just to name a few.

I advocate, the stakeholders, are the American people. As stakeholders we have been remiss in our responsibility to reject unwarranted behavior.

What can we do? Let me hear from you.

Afganistan - Right Makes Might

The President’s speech to the nation regarding Afganistan and the way forward for that country, revealed that a termendous amount of thought coupled with heartfelt emotions went into the decision-making process. The paragraph below captures the essence of his speech.

"America -- we are passing through a time of great trial. And the message that we send in the midst of these storms must be clear: that our cause is just, our resolve unwavering. We will go forward with the confidence that right makes might, and with the commitment to forge an America that is safer, a world that is more secure, and a future that represents not the deepest of fears but the highest of hopes." President Barack Obama, West Point.

What was quite noticable was the phase ‘right makes might’. These words are very familiar to me and have significant meaning. Not only do I belive that doing what is right will always have a noteworthy impact but my desire is to live a life reflective of them. These words are so much part of me and rightly so, that they captured the essence of one of the books I have written “Right Makes Might” with a subtitle of Reviving Ethics to Improve Your Business.

Making the Difference

Greetings and Happy New Year

As I breathe in the latest news, that is the pundits loaded with personal opinions often without merit, I am struck by the never ending corruptive behavior so prevalent among our corporate leaders. It appears, greed has gone so unchallenged, that as a society we are immune to its actions. As a member of this society, who loathes this behavior, I encourage each of us to not take a back seat – get involved by writing and calling our elected officials.

One of the key bits of learning I can offer is that elected officials are most often concerned about being re-elected (sad story). That being noted, our voices do matter. Therefore be heard – make comments, ask questions and make known your thoughts on http://www.whitehouse.gov - the new administration’s web site.

Calling Authors - Great Opportunties

Wanting to know how to where to go to publish that all-important paper. Check out these 2 sources:
CALL FOR ACADEMIC PAPERS AND PARTICIPATION

www.intellectbase.org

DOUBLETREE CLUB HOTEL – Atlanta Airport
ATLANTA, GA, October 9 - 11, 2008

Submission Deadline: September 28, 2008

Researchers are invited to exchange ideas, share experiences on research challenges, research findings and state-of-the-art solutions.

All Theoretical and Empirical Papers are invited in partial fulfillment of the requirements of

Journal Publication & Academic Excellence

Full Papers, Research-in-Progress, Extended Abstracts, Workshops, Case Studies and Posters are invited !! Email all papers to: reviewers@intellectbase.org


Also check this site out:

Call for papers of academic conferences and journals @ Call-for-paper.com.

Educational Prepared

Education is a crucial element in preparing individuals for the 21st century. Much has been said about our educational system – some suggest the system is extremely effective and efficient while others advocate the educational system is lacking. As an adjunct professor, I propose that there are areas such as writing and critical thinking, generally is seriously deficient. What are your thoughts?