2. Communication of our values &
beliefs through our ‘Verbal’ and
‘Nonverbal’ behavior.
Our responsibility is to act and
behave with honesty & fairness.
We must maximize the personal
worth of each person.
Ethics As a Communication Issue
3. Imperative that we communicate to
others the importance of good
ethics.
Importantly, in a Responsible
Business Enterprise, it is corporate
leaders & managers who set a
corporation’s ethical tone.
4. Demonstration of corporate values
through leaders’ actions.
Corrosive, manipulative, devious or
honest, open & willing to admit possible
failures?
The ethics of an organization are only
as good as the integrity of the people
who belong to it.
7. A primary cultural characteristic of an
organization is the extent to which
‘knowledge’ is shared.
The elements of a business ethics
program must be communicated within
the organization.
Communicating Business
Ethics
8. Essential to develop an effective
communications program.
A program that delivers a clear &
consistent message regarding
responsible business enterprise.
Inclusion of all employees, agents &
all other stakeholders as appropriate to
the corporation.
9. Personal Written & Spoken messages-
Message purpose, Research methods, Selection of
material, Development of ideas, Use of language,
Ethical context, Self-analysis
Cross-Cultural Messages- Cultural context,
Misunderstanding, Language, Accountability
Advertising Messages- Language, Graphic/Print,
Omission, Truth, Accountability
Key Areas for Ethical
Communication
10. Message Purpose: If my purpose is accomplished,
will it be in the best interests of my listeners? Will a
small group benefit or will the larger
organization/society be served? Do I have any
hidden agenda that affect my purpose?
Research Methods: Are my sources reliable, recent
and unbiased? Was my research thorough? Have I
gathered information from all avenues that is
relevant to my subject/purpose?
Guidelines for Spoken & Written
Messages
11. Selection of material: Is the information chosen suitable to
communicate my ideas fairly & accurately? Are my
sources representative of the information available on my
topic? Have I avoided the propaganda technique of card
stacking(omitting relevant opposing information)?
Development of ideas: Have I relied too heavily on
emotional appeals? Is my logic & reasoning sound? Have I
avoided propaganda techniques that omit, exaggerate, or
distort information? Is my information accurate & relevant?
Use of language: Am I easily understood by my listeners?
Is my language specific, concrete & appropriate? Are there
ambiguities, abstractions on loaded words? Does my
language show respect
for my listeners?
12. Ethical Context: Have I considered the listeners
values, feelings and attitudes in my messages?
Have I avoided using communication strategies that
would take advantage of their role, status or
background?
Self-analysis: Do I feel comfortable with the
purpose and development of my presentation? Do I
sincerely believe that what I have communicated is
important and true? Is the message within my ethical
comfort zone?
13. Cultural Context: have I considered the other
individual’s values, feelings, and attitudes from his/her
cultural point of view? Have I attempted to understand
the context of the transaction from the other person’s
position? Do I believe that all the other people involved
fully understand the context of the transaction and all its
implications?
Misunderstanding: Have I attempted and tried to correct
any possible misunderstandings that might occur? Have I
attempted to gain an understanding of the other party’s
culture and what their expectations might be?
Cross-Cultural Ethical Guidelines
14. Language: Have I used language that is clearly
understood by others? Am I taking care not to use
language & expressions that might be offensive to
another culture? Am I aware of the nonverbal
aspects of my message and the ways they might
change the message in a different culture?
Accountability: have I completely fulfilled my own
standard for cross-cultural ethics? How would I feel if
my family and friends knew all details of the
transaction? Am I being fair to all involved? How
would I feel if the events were published on the front
page of the newspaper?
15. Language: Have I represented the product or event
using clear, straight forward language, taking care not to
make exaggerated claims? Can the product be taken at
face value?
Graphic/print: Do the graphics used in the advertising
depict the product accurately? Is any of the significant
information in fine print, or is it placed in an unobtrusive
spot? If so, does this slant the customer's perception of
the product?
Omission: Have I omitted any key details that may affect
the way the customer views the advertised product? Is
significant information unstated? Would it change the
customer's perception of the product if the information
were included?
Ethical Guidelines for Advertising
16. Truth: Does the product or event live up to the
claims made in the advertising? Is it a quality product
that can fulfill all the expectations of the customer?
Accountability: Would I be comfortable if my
advertising techniques were scrutinized by a
customer products magazine and the results printed
for the public to read? Would I want to have a face-
to-face meeting with a group of customers who
purchased my product?
17. Mission Statements & Ethical Codes
Program announcements
Public Messages
Company newsletters
New employee orientation
Employee Manual & Policy Statements
Training programs
Posters
Annual & Social Responsibility reports
Speeches
Meetings
Formal Ways of Communicating
Ethics
19. Ethics is a communication issue-
Recognize it & act responsibly.
Make the right decision.
Set the right example for employees to
follow.
Modeling ethical behavior is an important
managerial tool.
Conclusion
