The Importance of Integrity In Business

"Your Word is all you have in life. Make good on it, it's a valuable gift that can set one business apart from the rest!"

That's me in the second grade with my classmates, and Mrs. Kaplan, my favorite elementary teacher!

When I was a little girl, my parents instilled many principles and values in me, all of which I try to pattern in my adult-life today. In fact, growing up with three older siblings proved to be quite the adventure because they were my barometer. So much so, it was difficult to wander from the values that made my family, a family! Conversely, one of my favorite elementary teachers (Mrs. Kaplan) instilled in me the importance of honesty and integrity too. Imagine,  I was only eight years old! As such, when I studied ethics in grad school, some thirty+ years later, it was abundantly clear to me that ethics, values, principles, and integrity were the pillars in one’s personal life, as well as ones business career. In doing so, I follow the basic principles that I look for in ones character: "Good Communication, Loyalty, Honesty, Respect, and Trust." I ask the question: "Would you do business with someone that you did not trust?" I would venture to say...ABSOLUTELY NOT! Nonetheless, oftentimes an entrepreneur will jump (take a calculated risk) without looking first. However, a successful entrepreneur will carefully listen, look, learn, and most prominent, properly VETT the potential risk! I recently had to understand these concepts the hard way. In fact, I will share some 'sage' advice that my dad gave me: "Never acknowledge your failures, but rather appraise your past to pave the way for your future." Fortunately, for me, a God fearing woman, and an entrepreneur that seeks a legitimate business venture with the objective to invest, I appreciate the cardinal rule: "If you make a mistake in judgment, does it outweigh the potential risk? In other words, how much did the mistake cost you? If the mistake is less than the potential risk, then one gets off cheap!" Check out the following article, and decide what is Right vs. what is Wrong. Sometimes in life Doing the Right Thing, is the only thing that matter's at the end of the day! Ask Bernie Madoff, if one does not want to adhere to my message (lol)...

http://www.openforum.com/idea-hub/topics/lifestyle/article/why-doing-the-right-thing-is-right-for-the-bottom-line-patricia-lotich