The immense pressure of everyday business and business practices certainly creates reasonable ethical principles and practices issues. However, as in any abstract concept, it is obvious that beyond most common and agreed metaphysical concepts, such as morality and ethical issues, it is in the eye of the beholder.
Assuming that the most common ethical set of issues, such as honesty, is agreed upon, the individual actions must be examined for compatibility and adherence. Alternatively, if a concept such as honesty is the basis of all decision-making, it is safe to assume that the consequent actions are unlikely to stray. Hence, logically it is viable to suggest that to avoid ethical and moral pitfalls, the basis of the decision-making should rely on organizational principles, which may, in turn, prevent and discourage unethical outcomes.
At World Consulting Group, the nature of humans and the consequences of their actions are the basis of all decision-making, including marketing practices. Essentially at World Consulting Group, the organizational practices are designed to tolerate the individualistic and creative nature of human beings, yet the oversight process, as well as peer reviews, are designed to discourage immoral and unethical behaviors.
In terms of ethical aspects of marketing at World Consulting Group, specific standard operating procedures to discourage ethical dilemmas and pitfalls include group and individual reviews, third-party evaluation of marketing plans and implementations, client feedback, and historical comparison. Each of the above-named SOP is designed to avoid the illusion of secrecy and enforce the belief that even the slightest hint of dubious theories or practices will eventually be discovered by one of the respective oversight layers.
One may argue that such strict practices limit the creativity of individuals or prevent them from suggesting innovative methods. However, such an argument is not only flawed, it addresses the wrong issues. Creativity in suggestions and innovations is not prevented because of their uniqueness, rather than the potential outcome. At World Consulting Group, every one of our associates is encouraged to think and express any ideas that have the slightest chance of being innovative and successful. However, before such methodology or concepts can be implemented, the examination of potential outcomes is examined for many factors including profitability, viability, morality, and ethical issues.
Ultimately, we at World Consulting Group sincerely believe that we have implemented a virtually flawless method of evaluating marketing decisions and methods before issues such as moral and ethical standards are raised. Yet it is not to say that our methodology is appropriate for all situations. In some instances, depending on clients’ needs, geographic location, market saturation, and many other factors, the standards of morality may be different. We have a solution for such situations at World Consulting Group, which may include utilizing third-party expertise to evaluate clients’ needs that may not be in tune with World Consulting Group’s fundamental ethical and moral values. If such a determination is made internally and affirmed by a neutral third party, such clients may experience a rejection of their assignment.
Generally speaking; however, we sincerely believe that ethical issues in marketing and general decision-making greatly depend on organizational values, culture, and mindset. Every company will have to decide individually what set of rules will apply.
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