8 of 27

Write now Article Tools

When faced with a choice between making money and ethics, people often think you can't have one without the other. But if ethics didn't matter to consumers, The Body Shop wouldn't have succeeded, and companies like Starbucks wouldn't try to show how ethical they are.
If you deliver what you say you will and have a message about what you stand for, you can create a name for yourself, even if you aren't the cheapest. After all Walmart is the cheapest, and no one thinks they are ethical with their employees. Sometimes image is everything, it seems, otherwise Paris Hilton wouldn't mean anything to anyone, but there are Mother Teresa and Jesus Christ that will be more famous in years to come than Paris Hilton. Even she said she wanted to change her ways. But if you deliver what you promise, whether it is good value, or high quality. People will come back if you are nice to them and have good customer service. Macy's isn't the cheapest, but they are striving to be excellent at giving good customer service. Nordstrom is famous for catering to the wealthy with their excellent customer service.

Trying to be the lowest price can undercut your image. People think it is shoddy workmanship. It can undermine your perceived value. But really caring about your customers and trying to please them and make them feel special is a very good way to win customers.
Remember, no one is perfect, but you can care and still work in business. You just have to know what you stand for and make sure you make everyone know it. You could sell the best Crayola portraits, but if you are a master at it, you will gain respect. It's all a matter of selling value. If someone thinks they are making themselves more by buying your product or service, you will have a business. Many businesses thrive by stroking the ego and promoting an image. Just think of Mercedes, Jaguar and all of those big name fashion designers. No one would pay for a Coach handbag at their prices if they didn't believe it would improve the way people think of them. There are plenty of businesses that do just that.
Sometimes people want to think they are important and go to a fine restaurant or store just to get their ego stroked, even if a school teacher has more money saved than they do. Its all about understanding the psyche and knowing how to make people believe what they are getting is great. Starbucks doesn't just offer rich coffee. They have a trendy atmosphere and great staff and they tout their environmentalism and part time benefits program. It is a whole experience of feeling good. So who thinks profits and ethics can't go hand in hand?
Often it is a lack of imagination and understanding of people that makes it hard for people to succeed while others thrive. Maybe it is time to think about what makes your company great and make sure everyone knows about it.

Learn more about this author, Jaalah Dupont.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Understanding the relationship between business and ethics?
We want to hear your view. Write now!