BPA Digital Solutions Ethics and Professionalism Resources Manual

Open communication

Conducting business with transparency and freedom to exchange information

Equal opportunities

Ensures that those around you and those you engage in business transactions are given the respect, honesty, and fairness needed to perform in the workplace.

What should you ensure for those around you and who you engage in business transactions with?

Ensure you give respect, honesty, and fairness

Employees/Partners/Vendors must uphold what following standards?

- Take responsibility for their actions, decisions, and obligations

- Make honest and transparent decisions which are good for all involved

- Present information in a clear and timely manner to ALL parties

- Encourage actions, policies, and procedures which promote high standards of conduct and professionalism

What work environment does Digital Solutions want to create?

a harmonious working relationship between all coworkers, clients, and customers.

What does Digital Solutions expect from you (FIRST responsibility)

FIRST responsibility - to know your own duties and how to do them promptly, correctly, and pleasantly.

What does Digital Solutions expect from you (SECOND responsibility)

SECOND responsibility - Expected to cooperate with management and your fellow employees and to maintain a good team attitude.

Side note: How you interact with fellow employees and those whom Digital Solutions serves, and how you accept direction can affect the success of your department. Department performance affects company

Digital Solutions believes in

creating an environment where you can approach your manager, or any member of management to discuss problems and questions

Personal Ethics

A person's ethics in their personal life will undoubtedly affect how they conduct business

Business Ethics (DEF)

Prevents exploitation, harassment, and intimidation to the workplace. It ensures that the organization abides by the law of the land

Fairness (DEF)

An important component of ethical business

Integrity (DEF)

holding to your principles even when it would be easier or more profitable to compromise them

Trustworthiness (TIP)

Your business cant succeed without a reputation of trust

Internal + External

Good business ethics require that ethical behavior be practiced both internally as well as outside of the business. Simple terms: Practice what you preach

Leadership

more often than not it trickles down from the top. If a leader sets a good example for the organization, everyone else will follow

Values

A person's moral code is integrated into his/her business ethics. A person's own personal values affect how they conduct dealings

Side note: Many people consider ethics and professionalism to be basically one in the same. This is wrong because ethical practices is only a characteristic of professionalism

Professionalism (Merriam-Webster online dictionary)

"the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"

Few examples of how society views professional behavior in accordance with acceptable workplace standards

1. Whether we dress "appropriately"

2. How we interact with others

3. Whether we respect timeliness and deadlines

4. How a person handles situations with others

Professionalism (TIP)

The more a person or organization displays professionalism, the more opportunities will be revealed, thereby leading to future success

How to confidently interact with colleagues, clients, and customers in a professional manner

- Good handshake

- Professional Communication Skills

- Professional Dress

- Punctuality

The handshake

A good, well-timed, and executed handshake paired with a genuine smile is a sure way to show your professionalism.

Professional Communication Skills

Effective communication skills will give you an advantage over most of your colleagues.

Knowing how to communicate your message will increase the amount of influence that you will have in dealing with peers, supervisors, and subordinates

Professional Dress

It affectes perception of your company's customers, clients, or business partners. A dress code isnt typically designed to make an employee comfortable, rather to make others feel comfortable

Punctuality

Arriving late is disrespectful to not only peers but employers as well.

When unforeseen circumstances create unscheduled conflicts, a professional will immediately inform all necessary individuals of the issue and seek to reschedule as soon as possible

Conversations

- Every conversation gives you an opportunity to leave a good or bad impression

- Tone is everything

Techniques for when being attacked in conversation

1. Bite your tongue

2. Let them vent

3. Take it down a notch

How to Correspondence (Business Letters/Emails)

Step 1: State why you are writing (in a straightforward manner) EX. "Thank you for taking the time to meet with us yesterday in our office

Step 2: Elaborate on Step 1 Ex. "It was so valuable for our entire team to meet with you face-to-face. Our meeting has sparked several creative ideas that we're excited to pursue."

Step 3. Build the relationship (Most important step)

Professional Dining Etiquette (Rules)

1. Never, ever talk with your mouth full

2. Come prepared with a few casual, non-business topics in to talk about

3. Always be kind to the wait staff, no matter what happens

4. Know your lunch partner's business

5. Put some thought into choosing the right resturaunt

Office space

Balance your personal and professional image.

When personalizing office/cubicle ask your self:

- Who will see it?

- What does it say about you?

- Is it distracting?

- Does it go overboard?

Office Party Etiquette (TIP)

Don't do anything that you don't want the entire company to be talking about for several years to come. Keep your dignity and respect the dignity of others.

Confidentiality

is key to organizational risk management, plus, both personal and professional liability.