Ethics Matters: How to Implement Values-Driven Management

Rating:
Summary: READABLE GUIDANCE ON PUTTING AN ETHICS SYSTEM INTO PRACTICE
Review: In the eight or so years since the "COSO" report highlighted the importance of ethics systems and the "tone at the top" or control environment in organizations, little has been written to help practitioners achieve the many promised and widely recognized benefits. This volume answers that need for a wide spectrum of readers. It sets forth a ten-point program for implementing a values-driven organization.

The authors explain the factors that have led to the current emphasis on including values in decision making instead of mere compliance with laws and regulations. Thus, the work constitutes a recipe for how to develop a corporate culture that integrates consideration of an organization's core values into its decision-making processes.

The basic premise of the book is that an effective ethics system is needed to make sure people are not tempted to "look the other way" and go with the flow. Otherwise, it may be too easy to avoid the sometimes-difficult aspects of deciding between right and wrong or even weighing two right answers. The authors believe such a system should go beyond compliance, essential as that is. They present a case that consideration of values in decision-making is absolutely essential in today's business environment.

In the context of the book, "values" could have been considered as morally neutral. For obvious reasons, however, the authors consider only positive values as relevant. Words like "fairness," "loyalty," "accountability," and "honesty" are examples. Values of this nature can become the framework within which an individual makes decisions. Driving the need for a values-oriented approach is the many changes that are affecting the business environment. A few of these changes the book notes are: Diversity, Globalization, Cost pressures, Virtual and E-Capabilities, Strategic Alliances, Teamwork, Entre- and Intra- preneurship, Downsizing, Deregulated Government, and a Competitive 24/7 Media.

The volume illustrates the best practices of exemplary companies that have developed a values-based management style. These include coverage of recent developments at Texas Instruments, Pacific Bell, Lockheed Martin, Olin, BellSouth, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and Guardsmark.

Here in one concise volume is what managers at every level need to know about building a system that encourages ethical conduct. It is written in an easy to read style that tells the story of ethics systems in a highly readable fashion. Its 20 chapters are each a short story that you may not wish to put down before finishing! This book is highly recommended reading for managers at all levels.

Rating:
Summary: READABLE GUIDANCE ON PUTTING AN ETHICS SYSTEM INTO PRACTICE
Review: In the eight or so years since the "COSO" report highlighted the importance of ethics systems and the "tone at the top" or control environment in organizations, little has been written to help practitioners achieve the many promised and widely recognized benefits. This volume answers that need for a wide spectrum of readers. It sets forth a ten-point program for implementing a values-driven organization.

The authors explain the factors that have led to the current emphasis on including values in decision making instead of mere compliance with laws and regulations. Thus, the work constitutes a recipe for how to develop a corporate culture that integrates consideration of an organization's core values into its decision-making processes.

The basic premise of the book is that an effective ethics system is needed to make sure people are not tempted to "look the other way" and go with the flow. Otherwise, it may be too easy to avoid the sometimes-difficult aspects of deciding between right and wrong or even weighing two right answers. The authors believe such a system should go beyond compliance, essential as that is. They present a case that consideration of values in decision-making is absolutely essential in today's business environment.

In the context of the book, "values" could have been considered as morally neutral. For obvious reasons, however, the authors consider only positive values as relevant. Words like "fairness," "loyalty," "accountability," and "honesty" are examples. Values of this nature can become the framework within which an individual makes decisions. Driving the need for a values-oriented approach is the many changes that are affecting the business environment. A few of these changes the book notes are: Diversity, Globalization, Cost pressures, Virtual and E-Capabilities, Strategic Alliances, Teamwork, Entre- and Intra- preneurship, Downsizing, Deregulated Government, and a Competitive 24/7 Media.

The volume illustrates the best practices of exemplary companies that have developed a values-based management style. These include coverage of recent developments at Texas Instruments, Pacific Bell, Lockheed Martin, Olin, BellSouth, Orange and Rockland Utilities, and Guardsmark.

Here in one concise volume is what managers at every level need to know about building a system that encourages ethical conduct. It is written in an easy to read style that tells the story of ethics systems in a highly readable fashion. Its 20 chapters are each a short story that you may not wish to put down before finishing! This book is highly recommended reading for managers at all levels.

Rating:
Summary: Ethics Matters: How to Implement Values-Driven Management
Review: This is the first time I have come across a book on business ethics that I could not put down. No matter whether you are a new comer to the field of ethics and are looking for a
comprehensive primer; or you are a seasoned practioner, looking to take your ethics initiative to another level of maturity - you will find this book invaluable.

It is a useful guidebook taking you each step of the way along the road towards successful implementation of a comprehensive ethics program. Equally it can serve as a checklist for those whose business it is to audit or evaluate existing ethics program.

The language is clear, the examples ample and the case studies that appear at the end of each chapter of the book help make the author's point. They are also a useful way of keeping them in memory for years to come.

The epilogue anticipates emerging future trend and challenges and points to what we all should be thinking about next.

If you are only going to own one book on business ethics this is the one to have.

Norman Steinberg
Director General Audit and Ethics Branch
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Federal Government of Canada.

Rating:
Summary: Ethics Matters: How to Implement Values-Driven Management
Review: This is the first time I have come across a book on business ethics that I could not put down. No matter whether you are a new comer to the field of ethics and are looking for a
comprehensive primer; or you are a seasoned practioner, looking to take your ethics initiative to another level of maturity - you will find this book invaluable.

It is a useful guidebook taking you each step of the way along the road towards successful implementation of a comprehensive ethics program. Equally it can serve as a checklist for those whose business it is to audit or evaluate existing ethics program.

The language is clear, the examples ample and the case studies that appear at the end of each chapter of the book help make the author's point. They are also a useful way of keeping them in memory for years to come.

The epilogue anticipates emerging future trend and challenges and points to what we all should be thinking about next.

If you are only going to own one book on business ethics this is the one to have.

Norman Steinberg
Director General Audit and Ethics Branch
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Federal Government of Canada.

Rating:
Summary: Ethics Matters:How to Implement Values-Driven Management
Review: This is the first time I have come across a book on business ethics that I could not put down.
No matter whether you are a new comer to the field of ethics and are looking for a comprehensive primer; or you are a seasoned practioner, looking back on where you have come from, in order to know where to take your ethics initiatives next - you will find this book invaluable.

It is a useful guidebook taking you each step of the way along the road towards the successful
implementation of a comprehensive ethics program. Equally it can serve as a checklist for those
in the business of auditing or evaluating existing ethics programs.

The language is clear, the examples ample and the case studies that appear at the end of each
chapter of the book help make the points. They are a useful way of keeping them in memory for a
long time.

The epilogue usefully anticipates the emerging challenges and points to where we
should all be thinking next.

If you are only going to own one book on business ethics this is the one to have.

Norman Steinberg
Director General Audit and Ethics Branch
Public Works and Government Services Canada Federal Government of Canada.