Ethics: Understanding and Applying: Dishonesty, Malpractice and Human Error in Busines...

Ethics: Understanding and Applying: Dishonesty, Malpractice and Human Error in Busines...: By Tim A LeBar As a business man in the field of SEO, social media, online reputation management, etc. and having searched for a client i...

Dishonesty, Malpractice and Human Error in Business

By Tim A LeBar

As a business man in the field of SEO, social media, online reputation management, etc. and having searched for a client in the trade of plumbing, also as a viewer of "Holmes on Homes" (which is the inspiration for this article), I've decided to provide my input on the issue of dishonesty, human error and malpractice in the business world/work place.

Mike Holmes has often mentioned that the government needs to intervene more to help put an end to those who intentionally rip their clients/customers off, as some are guilty of major offenses against those who are paying them large sums of money to get jobs done. Waste is also a huge issue, we're having enough problems with pollution, littering and other environmental concerns.

As I have a lot of respect for Mr. Holmes and his crew, based what I've seen on his television show (which scares the hell out of me-More on this later), I'm disappointed in what I'll say is naive on his behalf as the government cannot always be trusted. The reality is that if the government was entirely trustworthy, he probably wouldn't have a show... just being honest. Maybe I'm incorrect about that, but "Holmes on Homes" is about 'making it right'.

Holmes does, however, nail it on the head when he preaches in his show's final words about taking the necessary steps to determine whether the home is up to code and properly built or not in order to avoid such major issues which become an enormous financial burden and more importantly, potential dangers-ESPECIALLY to children and pets. Also, the waste involved afterwards because the contractors behave very unprofessionally because they're only interested in the money.

It's critical to ALWAYS do your homework before engaging in anything in this world, the government can't do everything and it's irresponsible to simply complain and blame, because doing so will never get anything accomplished. Quite the contrary in fact, blame can cause escalation of problems because the other party in any given situation could become so angered that they seek revenge or try to act in a destructive manner which is equally irresponsible. Why not avoid legal issues by taking a few hours on the internet to spare yourself some unnecessary stress and aggravation.

Mr. Holmes also emphasizes to call the government with permit inquiries because safety is always to be taken into account. Neglecting to do so can lead to legal issues and enable the contractor to walk away unscathed with your money.

You must always protect yourself, ignorance will always put you in a vulnerable position and make you a target of such individuals who simply don't care and know they can probably get away with their (often criminal) behaviors.

I'm no expert on construction/contracting but this show has exposed some extreme errors which were intentional. Not only do we have to be careful when purchasing homes but who knows what unobservable problems lurk at first glance, will throw us into financial emergencies and potential dangers.

Faulty wiring, bad plumbing, improper insulation, unsecured ceilings/walls, HIDDEN fireplaces, you name it-Holmes has found and corrected them!

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2 Things You Need to Do Right Away If You're Opening Up a Small Business

By Ken Hayward

It takes proper planning, creating of financial decisions, as well as completing a series of legal activities before you can start a business correctly. Below are 2 very important factors needs blended into the starting of a business.

Building Your Character

No matter what enterprise it is, character building is very essential to success. What some small business owners fail to realize is that character building in business can help them prosper and achieve success. If you exert effort and take time to build character, there are higher chances of gaining positive results in the long run. Character building defines your business. It also affects the type of image you want to present to your target market. It is as important as product development, acquisitions, tone and language of communications, and hiring.

There are different ways on how to build character which will interest your audience. For instance, if you are planning to put up an online business, it would be helpful if you have a good reputation as a reliable and knowledgeable source of information. You may join online forums and blogs which are related to your brand or industry. You may also post "how to" videos online and answer customer questions. It takes time in order for you to build solid reputation and build your character as a business. However, you must consider it as a worth it investment.

Bringing Yourself Into The Limelight Of The Business

Another essential point you need to focus on is to bring your business into the limelight. Needless to say, you need to become an expert in the industry you belong to and in what you do. It is best to take advantage of anything you can get online such as education and training opportunities for you to gain more knowledge. One specific thing you can do is to publish and distribute an ebook regarding a topic related to your industry. Moreover, it is also important that you know how to sell yourself as a brand name. Strive to deal with customers, business associates, and vendors with honesty and equality.

A Final Thought

Starting a business requires a lot of hard work, financial risk, and long hours of research. The two important points mentioned above, when done appropriately, can help your business reach its maximum potential.

The moment all your hard work starts to pay off, it can be the most wonderful and rewarding experience you will ever undertake. According to experts, it is a great idea to consult with a lawyer or a business consultant before setting up a shop.

Never hesitate to approach a business man or a group of entrepreneurs and ask for a set of techniques or tips. You can be assured that they talk based on their experience and expertise.

Running a small business involves building a strong foundation at the start. Budding-entrepreneurs can experience the most profitable success and rewards a new business can offer if correctly handled. Please visit my site/blog residing at http://publishtotheweb.com. This site has helpful tips, strategies and videos providing knowledgebase growth into starting a small business.

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Ethics Question...

During the first Ethics class I taught a conversation toook place that I thought was very interesting. Here's the context...

If you were given the chance to win $1 Billion would you pull the wings off a fly? What about a grasshopper? How about a small bird? Bald Eagle? Tear the ears off of a rabbit?

See where this is going?

How far would you go to get that money. When is enough? How do you decide the value of things? Is it our right to place different values on living creatures? Things?

Post a comment

Seemingly Little Facts About Electronic Waste You Do Not Know

By Sila Rodney

Perhaps one of the best things to happen in the last century is the invention of the internet. It has revolutionized how we communicate and live. However, what you do not know is that it has led to the development of an entirely new threat to the environment. You may not think of it as so, but the rush to purchase the latest mobile phone, laptop or tablet, while dumping old ones in your trash is breeding a new eco-disaster. While most people are priding themselves to a commitment of a cleaner and greener planet, their actions show otherwise.

Where the problem begins
According to experts, all the mobile phone chargers you threw in the bin, the ancient monitor you dumped in the garbage can, and the old printer you left in your old home are now somewhere in a landfill polluting your environment. Around 140 million cell phones reach the landfills in America each year weighing millions of tons, and producing hundreds of thousands of pounds of lead, which is highly toxic. Moreover, if they are not buried polluting the land, water and air, they are somewhere in a third world country, where an employee working in hazardous conditions is risking his or her life to extract the various metals found in the e waste.

You are throwing away valuables
If you did not know already, electronic gadgets contain various poisonous metals such as mercury, arsenic and chromium. Besides the poisonous trash, you are also throwing away precious metals like silver and gold, worth over $60 million each year. The problem begins at home when you throw away that damaged USB cable, charger, memory card, hard drive or cell phone. However, research indicates that more than 85% of old computers end up in landfills. If you think that is bad enough, electronic waste makes up more than 70% of all toxic waste.

If urgent and drastic action is not taken, the problem is bond to get worse especially with most developing countries now joining the mobile phone revolution. The key is to recycle most if not all of the electronic waste. It begins by selecting a credible e-waste disposal company, which falls within the two recycling programs endorsed by the Electronic Recycling Agency. Such a company will stick to the good practices of recycling that ensure it is done in a proper and safe manner. You can then have true peace of mind knowing you are contributing to making the world a better place to live in.

We provide the best info about electronic waste recycling company on http://TechWayServices.com.

For further details please visit the provided links.

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Why Bother With Business Ethics?

By Matt A Dunlop

Many people don't see the financial payoff for having strong business ethics. Why give up that extra $200 a month in false business travel expenses? The company doesn't need it and you do. Why not inflate your sales report for the year? It might mean a promotion.

In fact, there are several ways that ethical behavior can actually make your company money.

Customers choose ethics.

Customers will base their decision whether or not to shop with you partially on ethics.

Think about it this way. If you had a choice between two car salespeople, one who has a reputation for selling stolen vehicles and one who has a reputation for ensuring that the customer gets all the information about a vehicle's past, which would you choose?

Customers appreciate Business Ethics.

Let's say you've purchased a television from a local electronics store. The company calls you back the next day to let you know that you actually overpaid for the TV and that a check for the overcharged amount is in the mail. You'd probably be stupefied. Who admits their mistakes, especially when it costs them money? But the next time you wanted to make an electronics purchase, you would probably remember that incident and go back to that store. Customers reward ethical companies with loyalty.

Employees are more loyal to an ethical company.

If you're working for a company that lies, cheats, and steals, you're apt to think that the company will do the same to you, and you'll probably be less loyal to them as a result.

Ethical companies are more productive.

At one time or another, most of us have taken a sick day when we're really not sick. This is, in essence, lying to and stealing from the company. (Yes, sick days are a benefit of being an employee, but they do cost the company money and must be used wisely.) Studies have shown that employees in ethical offices take less time off and are more productive when they're in the office (probably because they're not gossiping and doing other unethical things!).

An ethical office means lower legal costs.

If your employees are in the habit of lying, cheating, and stealing, someone is going to get caught eventually and it will likely mean a big legal headache (and a big bill) for the company. Nipping unethical behavior in the bud can reduce your chances of a lawsuit.

For more great articles like this one, visit our website! Looking for training on this very topic? We have a solution for you - Trained By Pros Soft Skills Training and Development.

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Grit: The Key to Success

By Solomon Brenner

When Angela Lee Duckworth, now a psychologist at the University of Pennsylvania, was 27 she left a high-flying job in consulting to teach math to seventh graders in a New York public school. She quickly realized that IQ wasn't the only thing separating the successful students from those who struggled.

There were students with lower than average intelligence who performed well academically, and there were students with higher than average intelligence who performed poorly academically. Angela began to wonder what characteristic separated the top performers from the others.

Angela put together a research team and visited WestPoint Military Academy and examined which cadets would make it to graduation. They went to the National Spelling Bee and tried to guess which students would get the furthest in the competition. They studied rookie teachers working in really tough neighborhoods to see which would still be teaching at the end of the school year, and out of those who stayed who would be the most effective at increasing test scores. They also visited private companies, trying to see which salesmen would be the most successful. In all these different situations they asked the same question: "Who is successful here and why?"

One characteristic emerged as significant predictor of success. It wasn't social intelligence, it wasn't good looks, it wasn't physical health, and it wasn't IQ. It was grit.
Grit is passion and perseverance over long periods of time. It's stamina. It's sticking with your future- not for the week, not for the month but for years-and working really hard to make that future come about. As Angela says, "It's a marathon, not a sprint."

Talent doesn't make you gritty. There are many talented individuals who do not follow through on their commitments. Research shows that grit is unrelated or even inversely related to measures of talent.

There is very little scientific study about grit or how to teach it. The best theory that exists is known as "growth mindset," the belief that the ability to learn is not fixed, but can change with effort. When people learn about the brain and how it changes and grows in response to challenges, they are much more likely to persevere when they fail because they don't believe failure is a permanent condition. They accept the failure, learn from it, and start again.

You've probably heard the quote credited to Thomas Edison, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that don't work." In order to succeed you have to be willing not only to fail but to also learn from those mistakes, even if that means admitting you were wrong. You have to persevere even when it seems like you're fighting a losing battle. When you know that what you're doing is worth it, you have to be willing to go outside your comfort zone and work hard even when you feel like giving up. In other words: you have to have grit.

Check out Angela's TED Talk here:
https://www.ted.com/talks/angela_lee_duckworth_the_key_to_success_grit

Solomon Brenner has been teaching martial arts to children and adults for twenty years, and holds a 6th degree black belt in Kenpo Karate. During that time he has held countless seminars on subjects such as self-esteem in children and teens, behavior and discipline, praise vs. punishment, career motivation, goal setting, parenting, and self defense. He has spoken to elementary schools, women's groups, scouting organizations, civic associations and corporate seminars. Using these experiences, he has recently authored Black Belt Parenting, a motivational how-to book for parents.

Please visit http://www.BLACKBELTPARENTS.com

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