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Forum - Truth and honesty in business

Truth and honesty in business

Wed, 08/09/2010 - 12:53 — Mark Williams

How honest should you be in business? Should you always aim to be as honest as you possible in all dealings with suppliers, customers and employees or is this a naive position to take? Is it ever acceptable to be 'economical with the truth'? Are all (legal) things forgivable in the pursuit of business success?

I'm another one in firmly believing in treat others how you want to be treated yourself. I think that honesty is the best policy as you aren't leaving yourself open to any legal or image troubles further down the line - plus you can at least answer the telephone or pick up an e-mail without any dread of what you're going to read. Of course you can also remember what you said to people! It may mean that I don't make that extra couple of million(!) but it's worth it for peace of mind.

Fri, 10/09/2010 - 10:00 — k Matt

Customers, and prospective customers, respect you if you are honest with them. If you tell lies, you'll be found out and your business will suffer. - Dallas Willcox, Simply Words Editing Services.

Fri, 10/09/2010 - 09:07 — dallaswillcox

I run an ethical business. I know that this is open to interpretation but to me ethical means trust, integrity, authenticity and consistency. Yes there are scheisters and charlatans but I do beleive that the only way forward with a sustainable business is to be honest and truthful. The only way to really know if you can trust someone is to actually trust them It may be a hard lesson but lessons are there to be learned. Do not compromise your values for your bank balance. It will reap rewards in the long term.

Fri, 10/09/2010 - 08:48 — Phil Birch

Treat others as you would like to be treated..... would you like to be treated badly or dishonestly? Thought not.....

Fri, 10/09/2010 - 08:33 — @JamieForster

Set the standard - be honest. But beware, if every business I had dealt with were honest, I'd be a millionaire now. Indeed, it is the biggest business lesson I have learnt. There are already too many rogues out there who will try and skin you. Do not increase the size of that pool - but beware they exist.

Thu, 09/09/2010 - 15:50 — Sensatus