by Leigh Goessl

Created on: June 22, 2009

If you want to turn a profit, you've got to win over the approval of society. Bad business behavior or ethical practices promotes a questionable reputation and puts a definitive blot on your business' appearance.

Consumers who perceive a company as unethical or unscrupulous aren't going to give their business because the very important element of trust is lacking. If patrons don't trust you, they'll quickly turn to a competitor.

A business operates on the premise of turning a profit, and there is nothing wrong with this when the right approaches are taken. Unfortunately when most people hear the term 'business ethics' there is often a ripple perception of there is no such thing. Despite this negative connotation, businesses do have the power to change this perception.

The bottom line is there is a way for businesses to both profit and look good to society through their corporate social responsibility philosophies. In fact, the two handsomely complement one another with the right commitment and strategies in place.

In order to grow and retain a loyal customer base, companies have to give their all in order to flourish. Businesses that operate under a philosophy of ruthlessness aren't going to bring home the bacon. Instead of investing efforts into callous selling tactics to try and pressure customers, businesses who take an active interest in serving customers are going to look better to society.

There are many effective ways businesses can integrate solid corporate responsibility and nurture a strong reputation; in the long run, this helps increase customer retention levels and as a result profitability increases as well.

For starters businesses should cement their organizational culture's foundation in strong ethics. Companies such as Enron are going to be forever dubbed as ruthless. If any lesson is learned from their colossal bad judgment, it should be to remain as transparent as possible and be honest.

Another practice businesses should engage in to look good to society is to observe fair marketing practices. Companies who skate around consumer laws and meet minimal requirements in order to sell a product which is either unsafe or not fully tested in order to profit are going to lose in the long run.

After all as a customer who would you turn to - the company who goes above and beyond or the one who barely meets the confines of the law? The competitor who gives their all is going to attract the customers and leave the other behind in the dust in

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