What is Business Ethics?
In this day and age I am constantly confronted with decisions. I am also constantly barraged with information of others whose business ethics are simply wrong. They know it when they do it but because they can at the expense of their employees or clients. Take for example WalMart. In this CNN Money article there appears to be a trend where they are dumping brands for their own private labels. This is called the power of market share, WalMart owns the retail space. At the same time, the product company has the opportunity to come back should they spend heavily on advertising to get the users into WalMart’s stores.
Technically there is nothing “wrong” with this business practice, however is WalMart doing the right thing? Are they giving their clients the best products at the lowest prices? Maybe maybe not. What if let’s say that Kimberly Clark is in the toilet paper business. Let’s say they get squeezed out by WalMart because they choose NOT to pay for the additional advertising to be on WalMart’s favored status list. Let’s say Kimberly Clark has a $5 Trillion imaginary contract with the largest pulp manufacturers Big Pulp Mfg. Co. What if WalMart also had a $500 Billion contract with Big Pulp Mfg. Co. Kimbery Clark would rank over WalMart.
Let’s say there is a new beetle that destroys most of the trees in Big Pulp Mfg. Co. and demand goes through the roof. Big Pulp Mfg. Co. decides to reward Kimberly Clark with paper allocation and not WalMart. Now WalMart customers run out of ass wipe. Oh my, Houston we now have a problem of epic proportions. WalMart begs Kimberly Clark to sell them their toilet paper. However, the relationship is destroyed and there is no longer any trust, so Kimberly Clark decides to return the favor by selling to WalMart as such a high price it prices WalMart out of the market. This is what is known as a pissing match and no-one wins especially the consumer.
We are seeing similar business model fluctuations with Google taking over the Yellow Pages, Book Publishing, Newspaper Advertising etc. While market supply and demand don’t involve business ethics necessarily many businesses have become dependent on Google either for SEO or PPC or traffic in general, they literally have the power to make a break companies by deindexing them. And have done so for various reasons. So they say, “do no evil.”
Here is a online video from a man who feels his insurance company is committing extortion through price gouging.
So on a smaller scale for small businesses we are faced with similar situations almost on a daily basis just not as visible. When it it OK to bend the rules a little and get the competitive advantage and when is it not? I guess we have to ask ourselves that and search deep down for the right answer, or ask our colleges and mentors for guidance. If you are “too ethical” I have found to be on the losing side so there is a fine balance. In this era of “gotcha” bad news travels fast and it only takes one bad incident to destroy a life time of creditability, ask Tiger Woods.
Integrity in the Workplace
Let me start off by saying I am “out of integrity.” I am out of integrity with myself on too many occasions. For example, I tell myself I will go to the gym today, and guess what? The exercise to the refrigerator is a whole lot more enjoyable. (However today I actually did make it to the gym!) But I can tell you I had a task on my written to do list and I have not done it yet, I chose to write a blog post instead. I’m supposed to call a client on their content and just don’t want to, it will require me to think about their content which I want to do but don’t want to actually have to think about it. Now I know I can wait another day to do this but it just makes the flow of the project and the organization a little messier.
My integrity in the workspace really has more to do with my personal integrity with self. Because no-one knows about this other than me. I do my best to follow through on my word all the time and every time weather it be personal or professional because I treat others differently than myself, I am kinder to them than to I. I follow through with them than to I and I think you will hear that if you talk to friends and colleagues.
But back to integrity in the work place. It is these little types of things that break down communications, they then break down relationships both personal and professional. A glaring example is Tiger Woods saying “I do,” but what he really did was something entirely different. He was out of integtity with himself and his family and who knows who else. How many times in the workplace have you had a boss or a client say I will call you tomorrow with the <fill in the blank> and the call never comes. Guess what? You are left hanging.
There was probably some justification for not making the call but that person is out of integrity in the workplace as well as personally out of integrity. S/he made a promise to call and did not follow through. I can guarantee you that this happens ALL the time. We tend to be blaze about it, and say “oh they are just that way.” But at the end of the day weather it be a promise to your kid or a promise to your boss we get much better results in life by doing what we say and saying what we do.
So I will make that call to the client regarding the content. 
Get a Mentor Get a Coach – Plural
In this article published today in the New York Times they hit home on something we all can do, get a mentor or get a coach. Think about it. Joe Montana and Tiger Woods had/have coaches and mentors. Tiger could use some really good outside advice from some new folks. Guy Finley a mentor of mine said something to me either in one of the interviews I did with him here on MSG or in a telephone call afterwords, “that the only reason we ever feel any pain in life is when we have stopped learning.” And guess what? I have to catch myself each week on that truism.
At My Success Gateway we cover the 3 keys to personal and professional success:
1) invest in yourself
2) get a mentor(s) or get a coach(s)
3) expand your extended network
Getting outside of our comfort zones is a great way to start off the new year in 2010!
Want to be successful? Here’s how. Art Williams Speech on Google video.
Learn from a average guy who made it really big, over $100 Billion big in 10 years. Art Williams talks about it, he says JUST DO IT. Harv Ecker talks about it. (Harv says if you have broken leg show up to work, and he is right, I know a guy how had a broken leg and was just starting out his drains business and he could not afford to tak a day off, today it is a successful small business).
Steps to being successful in business
1) Get excited
2) Have a dream
3) Gotta stand for something
4) Be controversial
5) Total commitment
6) Treat people good, make them feel special, we all want to feel that way
7) Have the desire and will to win
Be a leader
9) Do whatever it takes to get the job done
10) Just do it
Networking for Interns | Networking for College Interns
We talk about this as # 2 key to success here at My Success Gateway, LLC and it is expanding you extended network. Early in life there are many opportunities to start and grow your network. An intern job is the perfect place to start if you are a college intern or new to the job market. Check out this article in Businessweek.
Interview with Lisa Druxman, WAHM of StrollerStrides.com. She Rocks!!!
We will help moms achieve their ultimate potential, both physically and emotionally. We will offer support and education for work at home moms. We will inspire moms to reach optimal health and well being. We will inspire children to emulate their moms and make fitness a part of their lives. Lisa is a graduate of My Success Gateway’s Ultimate Business ToolBox without having been through the e-Seminar. I have to be honest, Lisa Druxman CEO of StrollerStrides.com has so much energy I had to be on top of my game to keep up with her and fire questions at her! 
If you want to be an entrepreneur, she is a very good person to model.
Lisa is a fitness instructor, a work at home mom or a “WAHM” and she is pursuing her passion, fitness and motherhood. She is an accidental entrepreneur and she found a specific niche with moms and earning a living. She will tell you that being an entrepreneur is hard work. She has experienced a lot of challenges including expansion as well as keeping control of the company versus seeking outside investment.
Lisa talks about how she came up with her idea of StrollerStrides.com and how she was able to actually build a business out of it and create a community and a club, and her husband says that she has created “a cult.” Lisa has been able to generate a lot of media exposure. She talks about the credibility with the PR she has generated. She has positioned herself as the local expert. (Keyword: Local Expert)
Lisa has a company and employees that feels so good that they are supporting motherhood and exercise. They are on a mission of health and supporting their families and it definitely comes across in this interview. Lisa loves bringing people together. I think that this is one of her keys to success, he ability to bring a community together. Lisa seeks advice from her mentors, she is open to asking great questions She has spent time with her mentors at SCORE.org.
Lisa talks about teamwork with her husband Jason who is on the same page with shared parenting. Lisa is able to manage family expectations. Lisa has another kid and she is running . She suggests that you have to be passionate about your business and to follow your heart. Whew!
If you are a mom, a work at home mom, or a even work at home dad, if you want to be an entrepreneur, if you want to hear what it is like to have the mindset to think outside the box, this is it. Lisa takes action. As you will experience in this interview she fits more in 30 minutes that most of my interviews in 60 minutes.
Pat Ryan, CEO, Founder of AON Video Interview
The occasion for the speech was the GSB Alumni Entrepreneurship Conference held Thursday, Nov. 30. The event highlighted recent research conducted by The Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and the Market Strategy Group that identified these four factors, all of which are critical for entrepreneurs in overcoming growth plateaus and sustaining success.
Patrick G. Ryan is executive chairman and founder of Aon Corporation, a global leader in risk management, reinsurance and human capital consulting. He started as an entrepreneur and founded an insurance agency, which grew to become Aon. Ryan has been chairman of Aon’s Board of Directors since 1990. He served as chief executive of Aon and its predecessor company from 1964 to April 2005.
Personal Development for Smart People Demographics 39 Person Poll www.stevepavlina.com
| View Poll Results: What is your career/life status? | |||
| Want to be millionaire by 30 |    |
14 | 35.90% |
| Entrepreneur/Go Getter |    |
14 | 35.90% |
| Dead End job |    |
4 | 10.26% |
| Career Makeover/Transformation |    |
15 | 38.46% |
| Midlife Crisis |    |
3 | 7.69% |
| Business Lifestyle Enhancement |    |
6 | 15.38% |
| Approaching Retirement | |
1 | 2.56% |
| Successful – Looking for the next big thing | |
4 | 10.26% |
5 More Ways of Escaping the Nagging Feeling of Low Self-Esteem
5 More Ways of Escaping the Nagging Feeling of Low Self-Esteem
By Dr. Joe Rubino
Rather than getting in touch with the source of feelings of low self-esteem so as to heal the pain and reframe the circumstances that originally resulted in interpretations of being unworthy, unlovable, or deficient in some way, most people instead often resort to finding ways to distract themselves from the unpleasant sensations that accompany feeling inferior. Instead of effectively silencing the nagging voice of past hurts, they seek out distractions to help them temporarily forget about their lacking confidence and deficient self-image. Five of the more common ways to relieve the pain of low self-esteem involve excessive attention to work, food, sports, sex, or even shopping. Like all addictions, they help to distract from but do not resolve the underlying problem and so one is still plagued by feelings that will continually require greater efforts from which to hide.
Workaholism
In our culture, work is usually an acceptable means of diverting our attention. Through hard work, we busy ourselves to the extent that we lack the free time needed to brood over our sorrows. Those who work excessively are often too tired to worry about a lacking social life or the pursuit of fun pastimes that they often likewise believe they do not deserve to experience. Work provides rewards such as money, recognition, and a feeling of accomplishment, all of which help to compensate for feelings of failure in other areas of life.
It’s not that a commitment to work is bad. In fact, it is quite admirable as just one component to a well-balanced life. However, when pursued to excess, it doesn’t allow for the honoring of other equally important elements such as a commitment to family, friends, fun, recreation, personal and spiritual development, etc. An obsession with work can take its toll on health, relationships, and missed opportunities for other equally valuable pursuits.
Moreover, when work is undertaken from the perspective that one is ‘not good enough’ in one or more aspects of their being, it can’t be fully enjoyed. Feelings of low self-esteem diminish one’s energy by consuming attention that could have been spent more productively in the joyful pursuit of one’s goals, rather than as a distraction from persistent negative self-talk.
Over-Eating
Like working excessively, an obsession with food is often a common escape from feelings of unworthiness. Eating can serve both as a distraction and a way to make ourselves feel better temporarily. We often seek from food the emotional connection that we are lacking in close, intimate relationships. Frequently, food is linked in our minds to happy times with family or friends. Perhaps we experienced food rewards from our parents or authority figures for scholastic or sports accomplishments. For many, food has become synonymous with love. And so in times of stress, fear, and loneliness, many turn to food to fill a void that only love and self-fulfillment can satisfy.
Habitual overeating also results in being out of shape, overweight, and generally unattractive in the paradigm of Western modern-day culture. The more one eats as a substitute for missing self-love and intimacy with others, the more obese he or she is likely to become. This in turn reinforces the feeling that the heavier the person becomes, the less she fits in and the lower her self-esteem plummets. The greater the feelings of loneliness and not fitting in that result, the more she is likely to seek comfort in food (especially the high carbohydrate, high fat, high comfort variety). A vicious cycle is thus set in motion ensuring more weight gain and lower self-esteem.
Sports and Other Physical Outlets
Some people run to overcome feelings of loneliness, boredom, depression or lacking self-worth. Some pump iron, play golf, or work out at the gym while others find their own unique way to divert their focus through exercise, hobbies, or sports. Many would argue that such a diversion is a healthy way to funnel energy into an activity that contributes to good physical health. However, like any obsession, when taken to the extreme for the purpose of diverting attention from issues in need of resolution, it can become an unhealthy means of avoiding areas in serious need of attention.
Sex
An obsession with sex outside of a healthy, loving relationship can likewise become a means of distraction to take the focus away from self-esteem issues. Whether it’s Internet porn sites, an obsession with strip clubs, or the need for frequent casual sexual encounters, all serve as an effort to numb the pain of isolation. Ironically, the greater the obsession to connect with others through meaningless sexual experiences, the greater one’s sense of isolation will likely become.
Shopping
Another common obsession to compensate for a low self-image is shopping. While some find temporary comfort in making themselves feel more attractive by purchasing the latest, most stylish clothes, shoes, accessories, or even cars and other expensive toys if their budget allows (and many times even if it does not!), compulsive shoppers find that the comfort they seek in material items is typically short lived. They often fool themselves into thinking that next new dress, sport coat, outfit or cologne purchase will make the difference they seek in having them feel better about themselves. Sadly, it never does. However, all too often such excessive spending sprees send the shopaholic deeper into debt. This further reinforces or worsens the failure interpretation they already possessed and continues to diminish their self-esteem and confidence level.
There are countless other addictions that people resort to in an effort to find meaning in life when their own self-worth is lacking. Whether it is compulsive gambling, studying, puttering in the yard, decorating the house, or whatever other diversion, those who lack inner peace will not soon find it externally with a focus that seeks to cover up feelings of being unworthy or unlovable.
Thankfully, there IS a way to reclaim one’s self-worth and restore self-esteem to a high level providing internal comfort and fulfillment. For a complete roadmap to reclaiming self-esteem, visit www.theselfesteembook.com.
Dr. Joe Rubino is the best-selling author of TheSelfEsteemBook.com and 11 other transformational books available worldwide in 19 languages. To receive his complimentary newsletter entitled “The Power to Succeed” visit http://www.TheSelfEsteemBook.com . For more information on his books, audios, and coaching program, visit http://www.CenterForPersonalReinvention.com