Making the Sale

Ethics statements can serve a purpose in the marketing of one's business. They tell the consumer the values and standards they can hold the sales person to. It helps to give a comfort level.Business ethics expert Christopher Bauer said he hears from people who read his Weekly Ethics Thought e-mails who said they do not have the authority to create a values statement for their entire company. However, he added if even someone can't write such a manifesto for their firm, they are able to do one for their department, division or just themselves."Remember, values statements aren't simply some kind of 'feel-good' exercise, they are a way to both focus and drive your most important priorities in leadership, management, customer-service and branding. Done correctly, a well-written values statement will increase your focus, efficiency, and effectiveness across the board. Surely you will benefit personally from one or more of those. In fact, can you afford not to?"I know that some of you will balk at writing a values statement for yourself or your department because your values are so clear in your mind. Might there still be a reason to write out a values statement, though? Yes! There are many, actually, but among the more important are the following three:"Like with almost everything else, there is simply a difference between having something in mind and writing it down. Writing, in itself, often serves to both refine and clarify your thoughts as well as acting like something of a contract. We are simply more prone to follow through on things we have written down."A values statement written in the proper way will help you build your achievement in addition to building your business because of the sharper focus it will help you create. Would it ever hurt to increase your personal achievement or business' success? Probably not, I'm guessing."Perhaps the value of your values statement won't be lost on others around you and that may give you a shot at convincing your department, division, or entire organization of the benefit of writing one for the whole group. Your increased success may help inspire them to follow the same path as well."Lest it need to be said, remember that once written, a values statement left unapplied will do you no good and poorly written one may even cause harm. Take the time needed to do it right and, if needed, get consultation or training to be sure that you get your values statement written correctly. There is too much at stake to write one that could set you back rather than rapidly moving you forward as it should," Mr. Bauer said.Information on Bauer Ethics Seminars is available at http://www.bauerethicsseminars.com.