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3 Responses
I love it!
Ethics in business should always command a top position in our discussions. In my former days as a stock broker, we passed around a book entitled “Ethics on Wall Street”. When you opened the book you discovered the pages – all 200 of them – were completely blank!
When we do work for someone, we become part of it. To me the question is simple: Do I want others to know I endorse this product or service? Would I promote this to my parents or friends?
On several occasions companies promoting pornography and related items asked me to audit their websites for ways to improve their rankings and sales. As soon as I discovered what they did, I politely declined. I just told them I didn’t feel I could perform the service in a manner suitable to their desires. I never had to get into particulars.
When we follow our conscience, perform work to the best of our ability, and give good value, then we can build a life without regret.
Thanks for taking time to focus on this issue.
Thank you for this thought provoking article. One thing I keep in mind is that a potential customer is also learning about options, benefits, qualities, and features that he may not have been aware of before reading the copy. He can then use that to compare other products and services. Or not.
In our economy, there will always be the need /desire for a company to portray their business in the best way possible. And it is the consumer’s responsibility to ‘beware’ the seller who would take advantage of him. Your article offers a set of tools to ensure that our own part in the transaction is above reproach.
If we do our job right, the only comment that includes ‘ethics’ is that our work sets a high standard for the field of copywriting as well as the industries we serve.
Thank you both for your thoughtful comments. I’m glad this resonated with you! Ethics isn’t always easy, but it usually is interesting…
And George, I need to find a copy of that book 😉
Best,
Candice