20 of 28

Write now Article Tools

Running an ethical business will keep you out of trouble with the law and the press. If you develop a clear ethical standard for yourself, you should never violate any law. If the press questions a decision you make, you can back up that decision with your ethical reasoning. As long as you apply ethics when making business decisions, you can later counter arguments against that decision with a clear conscience.

Sometimes when an offer comes with a high payment attached, you can forget your own beliefs. Before you have to make this decision, sit down and write a guide of ethics for yourself, or find an already written one. Many businesses provide a code of ethics as a guideline for their employees. If you let yourself get involved in something that violates your ethical views, you will probably lose sleep and take on additional stresses worrying about when the violation will be discovered.
It's important to know what you're selling
During Argentina's "dirty war" during the 1970's millions of people were "disappeared" by the military government. According to the book, Revolutionizing Motherhood, during this time of murder, a US public-relations firm, Burson-Marstellar, ran a propaganda campaign for Argentina in international newspapers. Maybe this public-relations firm didn't know what was happening in Argentina, but part of ethical marketing is to know what you are promoting, and decide if you really want to support their product. It will hurt your company's reputation to promote a product that is highly unethical.
Determine your own ethical beliefs
When Mark Driscoll founded his company Ignition, Inc. he began a hugely successful, but highly ethical marketing firm. The goal and method of his marketing is to improve peoples' lives. Driscoll will not represent products that he thinks harm people, such as cigarettes. However, he has determined that Coca-Cola products and Budweiser beer are not so harmful that he cannot include their producers among his largest clients. You need to figure out which products you can feel happy promoting, and stick to your personal ethics when making business decisions.

Learn more about this author, Berg Verdi.
Click here to send this 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!