Week Two: Honesty and Business Ethics

I have strong opinions toward having integrity and ethics as a human being. I carry those feelings and values into my work and don't settle. As a young adult I learned firsthand the importance of these values through a dishonest family member who stole from and mishandled the money of a minor. In business as well as life, ethics and integrity should never be compromised.

Here's some examples from our learnings this week that I most enjoyed:

Why Ethics are Important  - People can feel if an environment is ethical right away. People innately gravitate to an ethical environment. An ethical environment is something that should be created in a business early, from the first steps and it should never be deviated from. There is a right way to treat people, and its simply treating them good and not basing treatment of them on what they look like or their gender.

In a talk by Sherri Dew we were reminded that “If a leader can’t be trusted, they can’t really lead”. I appreciated this statement. When a person is dishonest and its discovered all their actions after are questioned and there is a cloud of doubt over them and their intentions. One you lose people’s trust you really never get it fully back. It is more important to tell the truth despite the angst or consequences that may come.

Top 10 Must haves for a start-up

1. A great partner – choose them carefully, make sure they are fanatically ethical, choose someone who is not a duplicate of you but is a good compliment to you

2. Sales – well if you don’t have sales you don’t have a company. Customers place POs and send checks. You need these to have sales. Listen to customers

3. Have confidence you will have 1000s of great ideas – don’t plan a company based on your first good idea. Sell some of your good ideas and think up some more.

4. Like surfing real waves – Don’t try to make your own

5. A supportive Family – Don’t give up every part of your life. Even if they come to you, be part of their lives as well as your business.

6. The pride of a fat baby – No pride. Do what it takes to stay in business and keep customers happy

7. Common Sense – you need profit and customers to continue

8. Too little money – growth and ideas happen best in lean companies

9. Put up a sign – tell the world you exist

10. Buy comfortable, cheap furniture and spend everything you can on great people and great equipment.