Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Diversity And Success, In The Workplace (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

This article relates to the Diversity in the Workplace Competency, commonly evaluated in employee satisfaction surveys. This competency explores whether your organization provides understanding and supports interaction among diverse population groups while respecting individuals' personal values and ideas. Research shows that by fostering a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic, an organization can create a success-oriented, cooperative and caring work environment that draws intellectual strength and produces innovative solutions from the synergy of its people.

The Social Implications of Computing (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Directed by Mark Harrison, "Visions of Heaven and Hell" is a three-part cautionary tale come documentary commissioned by Channel Four, that warns of the impending infiltration of technology and pessimistically endeavours to communicate the sentient of an old Buddhist proverb which states "To every man is given the key to the gates of heaven; the same key opens the gates of hell." and within computerisation lies such a key thought a dismal set of apprehensive predilections.

No Credit is Due: Bad Telemarketing (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Just a few minutes ago I was debating what to write about this week -- something interesting, perhaps, or maybe it was about time to give some credit to snails, I thought. Then, by some random stroke of luck, fate or writer's lightning (a term I created just now), I received a phone call from a credit card company...

The Armaments Industry and Holy (?) Roman Emperors (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

"The time for fixing every essential right on a legal basis is while our rulers are honest and ourselves united. From the conclusion of this war we shall be going down hill. It will not then be necessary to resort every movement to the people for support. They will be forgotten, therefore, and their rights disregarded. They will forget themselves, but in the sole faculty of making money... The shackles, therefore, which shall not be knocked off at the conclusion of this war, will remain on us long, will be made heavier and heavier." - Thomas Jefferson

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Shifting Culture and Climate in Todays Corporate World (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

This articles relates to the AlphaMeasure core competency Culture and Climate. AlphaMeasure defines climate as the effect an organization has on the employees, while culture refers more to the acceptable behaviors, attitudes, and habits of the organization as a whole. Knowing and understanding workplace culture and climate leads to a better understanding of what factors are influencing employees. In relation, the level of service your customers receive is almost always influenced by the culture and climate of your organization. This competency can be especially insightful if your organization is experiencing customer service related issues or problems working together internally.

The Need to Survive; A Death Knell For Organizations (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Changing the driving force upon which business decisions are based is crucial in order to not only restore ethics in business but to truly improve the lives of those whom they were meant to benefit: executives, employees and consumers. After all, weren't business activities meant to improve the state of existence of human beings on this planet?

Are You Selling Out Your Integrity? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Integrity in business is a quality that is highly under-rated by executives these days. Many executives are so "pushed and pulled" by a not so hidden force called the "profit motive" that they often find themselves compromising something that without which they could lose all credibility and trust from those they are trying to retain business from.

Is Your Management Style Lead By Intimidation? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

So many women make the mistake of thinking that they have to be these big mean diva bosses, to get respect and cooperation from their staff and colleagues. They walk around the office huffing and puffing, never showing satisfaction at the work their staff does. They rarely praise their subordinates or colleagues work and they try to make them work all hours of the night. These women mottos are "If I can stay here all night, so can you!" One boss I had in particular, her motto was "I don't get high-blood pressure, I give it.! She was proud of this and she caused some of her staff to be stressed out with high-blood pressure. She was later fired!

Is Good Neighborliness Good Business? (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

[Note: This story is not a criticism of Buddhism. It is a story of neighborly love.]

Introduction

Brain Development and Due Process (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

DUE PROCESS

Africans, especially Nigerians are stereotyped on the internet and offline in foreign countries as corrupt, cheats and thieves.

The Deception Perception: Pay No Attention to the Man Behind the Curtain (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

The Deception Perception

Without a doubt, people would rather do business with someone they know, like, and trust. Credibility is critical. This is especially true conducting business on the internet wherepeople never actually meet face to face. Building a sense of trust with your customers takes time. And, it's one of your most valuable assets.

The Only Thing You Get for Free in Life is Hungry! (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

My grandfather was a very wise man. Simple but wise. He once told me "The only thing you get in life for free is hungry." There is a lot of truth in that. I see it all the time online and offline that people are looking for the perverbial "free ride."

Business Ethics: The Law of Corporate Karma (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

According to the shamanic traditions, the great mystery of being is that all things are alive and have a level of intelligence. This is because all things are a part of the Great Spirit. However, all things also function individually, in thought and action. It is in these individual actions that karma is born. Karmic laws also state that all karma, both good and bad, must also return home...return to sender!

Business Ethics: Functional Choices (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Years of experience have taught me there is no such thing as "Business Ethics". If a person isn't ethical in the rest of their lives, their business ethics aren't worth the shoe leather they've worn out either.

Business Ethics: An Oxymoron (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

An oxymoron: the juxtaposition of contradictory words or concepts. That is what we have with the term "Business Ethics". The very contradiction that is inherent in this latter phrase is an indication of the challenge that individuals who work for organizations face as we all approach the resource limits of this planet.

Do Organizations Serve Us Or Do We Serve Organizations (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

We have seen an erosion in the confidence that society has in organizational leadership and its integrity recently with the numerous accounting scandals that have become public.Clearly this has led to the demise of several large organizations. In performance terms it is obvious that erosion of leadership integrity is not good for business.

Top 10 Principles for Positive Business Ethics (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

This morning, I read about a company using on-line auctions to defraud customers. Last week, I consulted on an ethics complaint where a business coach betrayed a client's confidentiality. And, recently a Physician was convicted of insider trading based on information from a patient, a violation of both business ethics and her professional ethics.

MacDonalidisation: Braverman, Taylor & Mayo (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

Background:George Ritzer defined McDonaldization as "...the process by which the principles of the fast-food restaurants are coming to dominate more and more sectors of American society as well as the rest of the world."

Mind Your Own Damn Business Sexcess (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

You have certainly heard the expression "mind your own damn business" used in a multitude of contexts. The most typical being the don't kiss and tell type statements, often uttered by responsibly private individuals about their love life.

Financial Projections in Business Plans (July 23 2007)         - claim this article

One of the most difficult sections to write in a business plan is the proforma and financial sections. After all it is most difficult to what exact costs you will incur or what level of sales volumes are actually achievable. So often businesses are faced with excess government controls at all levels which take thousands of dollars in fees, additionally legal fees, delays and lawsuits often ensue and slow the project. You cannot know in advance what roadblocks or brick walls city planners, country agencies or Federal Regulators will come up with, as they often change their minds and add new laws in the middle of your already delayed project. These are only a few of the problems facing entrepreneurs when writing financial projections. Other issues occur from an over enthusiastic entrepreneurial positive attitude and business plan writers should double the money needed and triple the time to complete the project to be on a reality based plain. Thus if you beat your projections everyone is happy. Including bankers, investors and yourself. If folks are not happy you may find yourself in court defending yourself and making excuses, many of which many not be your fault, but in the end you are hung out to dry as the buck stops with you.