Business Ethics Skills

1 Day

Introduction

A company’s ethics will determine its reputation. Good business ethics are essential for the long-term success of an organisation. Implementing an ethical programme will foster a successful company culture and increase profitability. Developing a business ethics programme takes time and effort, but doing so will more than improve business, it will change lives.

A company’s ethics will have an influence on all levels of business. It will influence all who interact with the company including customers, employees, suppliers, competitors, etc. All of these groups will have an effect on the way a company’s ethics are developed. It is a two-way street; the influence goes both ways, which makes understanding ethics a very important part of doing business today. Good ethics is very important, as news can now spread faster and farther than ever before, especially negative news.

Programme Objectives:

• Define and understand business ethics
• Understand the benefits of business ethics
• Create strategies to implement good ethics practices at work
• Recognise social and business responsibility
• Identify ethical and unethical behaviour
• Learn how to make ethical decisions and lead with integrity

Method and Approach

This programme will involve the use of slides, handout material, work manual with all instructor notes and slides, examples of best practice, appropriate videos and appropriate video material.

The use of flip-charts, syndicate workshops and reporting back sessions will encourage a fully participative and enjoyable event. Delegates will be encouraged to participate actively in relating previous work experiences.

Who Should Attend

This course is designed for all who wish to understand and be able apply the basics of good ethical business practices. This course is particularly useful for front-end or customer facing personnel who need to conduct their business in a professional and ethical manner in order to maintain good working relationships with external parties.

Course Content

Module One: Getting Started

• Introduction to the course
• Workshop Objectives

Module Two: What is Ethics?

• What is Business Ethics
• 10 Benefits of Managing Ethics
• Case Study

Module Three: Implementing Ethics in the Workplace

• Benefits
• Guidelines for Managing Ethics in the Workplace
• Roles and Responsibilities

Module Four: Employer / Employee Rights

• Privacy Policies
• Harassment Issues
• Technology

Module Five: Business and Social Responsibilities

• Identifying Types of Responsibilities
• Case Study
• Handling Conflicting Social and Business Responsibilities
• Case Study

Module Six: Ethical Decisions

• The Basics
• Balancing Personal and Organisational Ethics
• Common Dilemmas
• Making Ethical Decisions
• Overcoming Obstacles

Module Seven: Whistle Blowing

• Criteria and Risk
• The Process
• When You Should “Blow the Whistle”

Module Eight: Managerial Ethics

• Ethical Management
• Identifying the Characteristics
• Ensuring Ethical Behavior

Module Nine: Unethical Behavior

• Recognise and Identify
• Preventing
• Addressing
• Interventions

Module Ten: Ethics in Business (I)

• Organisation Basics
• Addressing the Needs
• Ethical Principles

Module Eleven: Ethics in Business (II)

• Ethical Safeguards
• Developing a Code of Ethics
• Performing an Internal Ethics Audit
• Upholding the Ethics Program

Module Twelve: Wrapping Up

• Words from the Wise
• Lessons Learned
• Completion of Action Plans and Evaluations