Writing a case for business ethics requires an understanding of why ethics are important and how they affect profits. Companies practicing poor business ethics are sometimes acting out of desperation as they make ill-advised moves to generate sales. Practicing poor ethics and bending standard rules of business can, in some circumstances, lead to a temporary uptick in sales. However, such moves could backfire over the long-term as customers realize that the company operates in a shady way and opt to take their business elsewhere.
Instructions
1. Speak to managers or employees inside the company to ask their opinion of the company's business policies and ethics. Ask if customers are fairly treated and if company rules and guidelines are fair and uniformly followed. Conduct as many interviews as possible and also reach out to customers for their views. Speak with employees one-on-one and also place surveys online so that employees and customers can respond anonymously.
2. Use the surveys and interviews to spot common themes. For example, customers may complain that the company's return policy is vague. Employees may feel that sales people are encouraged to use high-pressure tactics to increase volume.
3. Contact other companies to discuss their ethics policies. Get an overall view while focusing on possible problems in your organization. Conduct interviews with peers from several companies similar in size and scope to your own. Spend considerable time examining companies whose ethics policies are stronger than your company's, yet the other company appears more profitable. Draw connections between the ethics and the success of the companies.
4. Write your case for business ethics. Start with an overview discussing what business ethics are and how they affect profits. For example, detail how companies create satisfied employees and customers by embracing strong business ethics, and how this results in increased success. Make the case throughout the document as you make a strong argument for increasing sales and profits by adopting strong business ethics.
