Adam R. Kahn serves as Group Event Director, Project Summit & BusinessAnalystWorld, as well as Publisher of BA Times for Diversified Business Communications (DBC). A graduate of Northeastern University (M.S., 1996) and Hofstra University (B.A., 1993) Mr. Kahn joined DBC in 2006. Over his career he has spent the past 11 years working in event, conference and publishing management capacities at IIR, IMARK Communications and Key3Media (formerly ZD Events) managing a variety of industry specific brands/products including: ProjectWorld, Symposium on Healthcare Design, Projects@Work, Linux Business Expo, ASP Summit, COMDEX, Networld+Interop. Prior to his event and conference experience, Mr. Kahn worked in Student Affairs managing student activities, residential life, judicial affairs, and career services at several New England based Universities and Colleges. 
In light of all the bail out/bonus drama being played out these days, it got me thinking about ethics and what they really mean. What is the true definition of being “ethical” and, in the long run, how do we all benefit?
According to dictionary.com:
eth∙i∙cal – adjective
1) Pertaining to or dealing with morals or the principles of morality; pertaining to right and wrong in conduct
2) Being in accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct or practice, esp. the standards of a profession: It was not considered ethical for physicians to advertise.
Are these executives, the players in the bail out/bonus drama, acting ethically? Based on the first definition, I think not. But, based on definition two and who’s interpreting the Bail Out regulations, they could very well be “within the legal established rules.” It seems to me that the bottom line is, most people feel cheated and betrayed, not only by the bailed out organizations’ elaborate spending and handsome bonuses for the lucky ones, but by the US Government as well. Where was the oversight and control that would have ensured that the second definition was not even on the table? This leads me to my larger point; how does all this impact us as business analysis professionals?
The Importance of behaving ethically plays out in a variety of ways, all of which benefit us as business analysts:
- Legal – it decreases our vulnerability to being prosecuted, fined, and/or terminated
- Image – increases our public image and reputation as a credible colleague, customer, vendor, etc.
- Financial – recent academic studies have shown a positive link between the existence of sound ethics and positive financial performance
- Moral Code – allows us to sleep better at nigh (at least it does for me!)
In these tough economic times, I think it’s important to take a look in the mirror now and again and ask ourselves if we’re acting ethically. Sometimes it’s easy to forget the importance of the little things when you’re caught up with life’s daily challenges (which are getting more and more complex in this economy). Take stock of not only who you are, but challenge yourself and others to act ethically, especially when there may be more attractive but less ethical options available. It will pay dividends in the long run – legally, personally, morally and, hopefully, financially.
All the best,
Adam R. Kahn
Publisher, BA Times
