7 Principles of Admirable Business Ethics

Be Trustful

Recognize that customers want to do business with a company they can trust. When trust is at the core of a company, it's easy to recognize. Trust is assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, and truth of a business.

Be Open-Minded

For continuous improvement within a company, the leader of an organization must be open to new ideas. Ask for opinions and feedback from both customers and team members and your company will continue to grow.

Meet Obligations

Regardless of the circumstances, do everything in your power to gain the trust of past customer's and clients, particularly if something has gone awry. Reclaim any lost business by honoring all commitments and obligations.

Have Clear Documents

Re-evaluate all print materials including small business advertising, brochures, and other business documents making sure they are clear, precise and professional. Most importantyl, make sure they do not misrepresent or misinterpret.

Community Involvement

Remain involved in community-related issues and activities, thereby demonstrating that your business is a responsible community contributor. In other words, stay involved.

Maintain Accounting Control

Take a hands-on approach to accounting and record keeping, not only as a means of gaining a better feel for the progress of your company, but as a resource for any "questionable " activities. Gaining control of accounting and record keeping allows you to end any dubious activities promptly.

Be Respectful

Treat others with the utmost of respect. Regardless of differences, positions, titles, ages, or other types of distinctions, always treat others with professional respect and courtesy.

Pursuing Holiness

Why do Christians constantly feel defeated by sin?

It is obvious that there are many different reasons for this. Often times it can even be oversimplified. However, here are a few reasons that I've come across in my most recent readings:

I. Our attitude toward sin is self-centered and NOT God centered.

Sometimes we are so concerned with our own triumph over sin that we forget the grief that God feels from our sin. God does not want us to walk in triumph, but rather obedience to Him.

II. There is a misunderstanding of the meaning of, "Living by the faith." (Galatians 2:20)

This does not mean that we are not to put effort into pursuing Him. As a mater of fact, some actually believe that any attempt is "of the flesh." The bottom line is that we must understand that we DO have the responsibility to walk in faith.

III. Sometimes we just don't take sin seriously.

We tend to mentally categorize our sins into those that are bad and those that are worse. Sometimes even labeling some as "ok." The question we must ask is whether or not we are going to consider sin a "sin" because God forbids, or whether we are just going to label and categorize them. It is not only a personal defeat, but an offense to God and we must begin to look at it this way.

It is the, "little foxes that ruin the vineyard."

(Song of Solomon 2:15)

"For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace."

(Romans 6:14)