Business Ethics for the Solo Online Operator

It seems to me to be a little weird.

There are lots of daily searches for the phrase “business ethics” but there are very few products that deal with the subject.

I’m guessing it’s a function of supply and demand – no body is willing to purchase products about this subject so the demand is being met with freely available material.

Maybe folks believe they already have the subject mastered (or at least under control).

Others probably believe in being ethical but that’s about as far as they go – no sense delving into a subject that doesn’t directly bring money into the business. (Or does it?)

Most would probably say the study of ethics is boring, old school, and not worth the time for the busy business owner.

Should business ethics even be a concern for a one person business?

So what are business ethics and why is it an important subject?

Simply put, here are my definitions of business ethics:

– A system or belief of moral principles and values,

– Rules of high conduct governing human actions,

– Integrity, honesty, and respect for others in business,

These may not be textbook definitions, but they convey the spirit of what I am calling “business ethics.”

If you have these ethics, you have high moral standards in doing business.

You are honest in your business dealings and ethical in your treatment of prospects, customers, clients, partners, affiliates, suppliers, and other 3rd party operators.

You hold yourself to a higher personal standard of conduct than what you experience in mainstream everyday Internet business.

You provide great value and honest personal suggestions and advice to your clients.

You follow through with what you have promised and rise above the clutter of business goods and services that have no chance of delivering what the sales letter hypes.

You will be the envy of other business owners and your clients will recognize you for holding yourself to moral and high ideals that set you apart from all your competitors.

I sometimes think business ethics are a lost art . . . especially on the Internet where anonymity and “distance” allow business to be conducted “in the dark”, so to speak, where you don’t really know who you are dealing with or even if a business really exists.

Scam artists and those out to make a fast buck by preying on the dreams of others seem to be everywhere.

It’s a daily occurrence that someone tries to steal my bank account information or my user name and password.

You know what I’m saying.

You, as a business owner, should be above reproach.

You should never give in to lowering your standards or succumbing to unscrupulous practices.

In the long run, your business will prosper as you treat others by the Golden Rule.  For our purposes, do business with others as you would like to have them do business with you.

In fact, a long time ago I learned a great lesson about this concept.

Imagine yourself walking into a business and being treated exactly like you had hoped you would be treated.

Now, translate that experience into being the owner of that exact business.

Everything about your business is laid out exactly as you would have planned it if you were given a free rein to do whatever you wanted.

Do you think you could make a lot of money with this attention to detail, concern for the client or prospect, and by looking at the business from another’s viewpoint?

To your online business success,

Steve Browne

www.stevebrownedirect.com

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