Unethical business practices can run the gamut from behavior that is damaging to both business owners and their customers, all the way to what is considered borderline illegal. What looks like a bad decision on one business owner’s part can turn out to violate the unwritten code of fair practices.

A good example would be Wal-Mart’s long standing practice of making those companies who provide their products dependent upon them. They do this by forcing them to charge extremely low prices or find another outlet for their sales.

Dishonesty is one of the most common unethical behaviors we come across in business. False advertising is seen quite often in order to boost sales and profitability. Business owners and their employees take credit for the work of others and huge corporations are responsible for faulty items and machinery that quite often damage our environment and can lead to huge accidents that affect a large part of the population.

On a smaller scale, many businesses provide lousy customer service or none at all, fail to live up to their promises and treat people in a manner that while not illegal, is still not worthy of a business owner.

On the other hand, for the majority of business owners, integrity is everything. They have gained the trust of their customers and do whatever they can to maintain good business practices. Their employees and co-workers are treated with courtesy and their financial dealings are honest.

Many businesses have a code of ethics in place or a code of conduct which outlines the responsibilities and guidelines for all those who are connected with the business. A good example is Kraft, which has a code of ethical behavior with only 10 rules, but they manage to cover the most important values to guide their employee’s actions. Loyalty, honesty and value figure largely in their code.

The key components of the majority of business ethics emphasize:

1.    Values which involve all day to day dealings.
2.    Personal responsibility with information regarding legal and moral consequences if the code is violated.
3.    Principles, of all types including environmental and operational.

There are many other components which make up the whole of what are called business ethics and they are very similar to what we consider ethical in our daily lives. A business is only as profitable as its least ethical employee or member and standards of behavior count just as much in business as they do in everyday life. Surrounding yourself with ethical employees is the same as spending your personal life with honest, trustworthy people. It makes your company one which can be trusted and also one which customers like to do business with.

© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2014

image courtesy of mindspotresearch

Tweak your product or service. Innovation can help your business stand out, especially if you are able to keep up with the trends. It helps your name become known in your industry as the one to go to when customers are looking for the latest. When you are looking for a way to improve your business and make it stand out, remember that people love anything that solves their problems. Become their problem solver by adding additional features to your original offers.

Be different. In a great way, not in a way that causes your customers to look at you with raised eyebrows as they run out the door. Unique advertising can be one way of standing out. Try using a by-line that’s interesting and memorable. It will give you the opportunity to grab the attention of new customers and have them remember you. Let your business showcase your personal style. Focus on making your products more aesthetically pleasing and have your services reflect your good taste.

Make reliability your image. Customers prefer a business owner whose products they can count on. They know if there is a problem, they can contact you immediately and not have any delays with replacements or repairs. This makes your business synonymous with quality, which will in the long run make it easier for you to ask higher prices than your competition. A service program in conjunction with your products is also a good idea.

Your customer service is the best. Your employees are trained in how to speak with the public, react appropriately and deal with any imaginable issue that could arise. They know how to use the telephone, email etiquette is stressed and they have in-depth knowledge on all of your business offers. They make things easier for your customers to buy from you and act as consultants for your business. They realize that they are the first point of contact for most of your customers and the reputation of your business relies on them.

All in all, there are many ways you can make your business stand out from the rest. Each business is unique and if you think of your business as an extension of yourself and your way of living, you can come up with ideas that will also be attractive to your customers.

© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2014

Successful people seem to have an aura about them. We look at them differently, wonder what is it they have that we don’t and they come up in our conversations frequently. What is it that they do differently?

They have the ability to handle their emotions and stay calm. The best performers, including business owners, rate high in emotional intelligence. Their self worth comes from what they think of themselves and they don’t allow themselves to react in a negative way to what other people think of their actions. They are able to filter out the judgements of those who may be envious of their success and rely on their own business sense and push toward accomplishing their goals.

They put frustrations in their place. Successful people know that not every day will be perfect. They’ve been in business long enough to know that “this too shall pass” and are able to keep going even when it gets tough. They aren’t bothered by the minute details and tiny risks that are part of running their business and keeping it on a steady path. Planning is a huge part of their life but they don’t let their to- do list run every minute of their day. Sometimes it’s best to step away from the essentials and take a chance.

They don’t allow themselves be controlled by the uncontrollable. Outside circumstances may not be perfect but successful people know that not only is perfection a facade but it is boring. Allowing your imperfections to show as a business owner but not in your business practices makes you more human and approachable to your customers and they appreciate being able to meet with you on an equal level.

They have learned to say no. As difficult as it is, you can’t say yes to everyone and everything. Prioritize your business commitments and say yes to only the most important. Those who are successful know how important relaxation and time away from their business is to their general welfare. It’s what makes them succeed in their business and at the same time, enjoy their personal time.

They don’t make excuses and always take responsibility for their actions. Successful people know that you have to be mature and take ownership for the outcome of your business. Making excuses is not an option. Sometimes failing is part of any business venture and opportunities don’t always work out the way we wish they would.

Those who succeed realize that the most important things in life are a combination of work and play, business and family, knowledge and learning. Their lives and their businesses reflect this and they’ve learned that the road to success has to be enjoyed to be worth it.

© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2014

image courtesy of techwyse

  When you start to feel like the sharks are circling, regrets are piling up and being a victim is getting tiring, that’s when you realize that when it comes to your business, the opinion of others around you isn’t what counts.

Though it may look that way, other business owners aren’t really worrying about you, unless your business is the one that they are trying to outsell. Scarcity of sales, leading to low financial gains can have you realizing that paying more attention to other’s wishes instead of your own are what led to this situation.

Insecurity can cause a lot of business owners to second guess their own desires and what’s best for their business. If you find yourself anxious over what someone else may think of steps that you are taking to improve your business, then you are taking a back seat to what others think you are capable of. It’s fine for you to listen to opinions of the moves you are making but don’t let those opinions sway major decisions that can affect your business negatively. Acknowledge your own feelings in your business, thanks others for their opinions and stay on your own path. Decision making is part of the business process so don’t limit yourself to only the suggestions that are given to you. Have faith that your ideas are relevant and can solve customer problems.

One of your biggest regrets could be having others make decisions for you, rather than making mistakes (or great choices!) on your own. Creativity within your own business shows that you have the potential to make your business a great one and the stronger you are, the less you will be apt to rely on what someone else has to say about the choices you are making. We all like to be liked and have our decisions affirmed but step outside of the crowd and realize that originality is very important in business. It’s what counts with your customers and makes you unique and your products and services more sought after.

Realizing your value to your customers means taking responsibility for your business choices and offering them the best. What is of value to them is also of value to you as a business owner. We can sabotage ourselves when we over think our business decisions instead of going with what comes natural to us, not what everyone else thinks should be natural.

You won’t be able to please everyone with your business decisions, so please your customers and yourself first. Your approval should come from within, not from outside sources and opinions. Be who you want to be within your business and make your business stand out by putting your stamp on it. Taking control of your own feelings regarding your business will be a big step in learning that your opinions come first.

© Chris Draper, DemGen Inc. 2014