In passing, one of my clients asked me if I’d ever heard of ABC Company, and had I done any business with them.  Not only had I done business with them, they had been a client, but I severed both relationships because I found them to be very unethical.

They not only dealt unfairly with me, as a service provider, but their approach to serving me as a client was very questionable.  I really wanted to give my client all the gory details, and tell them to steer clear of them, but my ethical conscience just wouldn’t allow it.

“I’ve had a client and customer relationship with them in the past, but haven’t really worked with them for quite some time.  I can tell you that I’ve recently started working with DEF Company, and have been very pleased with their services.  Their services really fit my needs,” I replied.

Of course, their next question was unavoidable.  “So did you have problems with them?” they asked.  Okay, so now what?  How do I maintain my ethical standards, but provide an honest answer to a good client?

It was very hard not to bring my personal and emotional feelings to the surface about how I’d been treated by this company.  I could certainly justify it by saying it was to save this client from having to experience the problems I’d had, but I just couldn’t…the words, “do no harm” kept sneaking into my subconscious.

Although this company had certainly not taken those three words into consideration where our relationship was concerned, I most assuredly do not want to lower myself to their standards.  .I knew that I shouldn’t say anything bad about them.  Who knows, maybe ABC Company had new owners or management.  Maybe they figured it out and started working more ethically.

My response?  “I had a problem with them some time ago, but haven’t really done business with them for a long time.  It certainly could have been something unique to my situation, and I imagine that they should be able to provide you with references, should you be concerned.  At any rate, I would certainly encourage you to at least look at ABC Company and DEF Company, compare them, check references, and make the decision you feel will be the best one for your needs.”

I answered honestly, but provided them with enough information for them to consider all their options.  It actually turned out exactly as it should have.  They looked at both companies, and reported back to me that ABC Company provided them with two references, both of which declined to provide information.  They used DEF Company and were very pleased with the results.

Even though I didn’t say what I would have liked to, I maintained my ethics, left the client with enough information to consider all their options, and everything worked out for my client.

There’s nothing magical about business ethics, it’s just that final piece of the puzzle that can make or break your business.  Don’t break your business, use good business ethics!

Jeannine Clontz, owner of Accurate Business Services, a VA practice, is an author, writer, speaker and VA Business Coach specializing in providing professional business coaching to established and start-up virtual assistants (VA’s).  For her FREE audio CD “What’s Holding Back my Business Success?”,  a 2-month trial in her Insider group coaching program, or 1-month trial of her coaching club visit:  http://www.VAbizcoach.com; or contact her at: coach@VAbizcoach.com.

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This July I will be doing a 13-day, 200 mile walk across England: from the west coast of Cumbria (and the Lake District) across hill, dale and moor to the Yorkshire coast and North Sea. It is something I made my mind up to do about 18 months ago and is something that I committed to sort of on a long-term whim. I get a few incredulous responses when I share my plans – most people wonder why I would possibly want to schlep up mountainsides in what will probably be typical, drizzly English weather if we are lucky – driving rain if we aren’t! Insane – maybe? But the impulse to do this goes back a long time, and was rekindled in recent years when I was working 16-hour days. Long days in my office made me gain weight and feel like I had literally become chained to my desk and the victim of my own success. Remember the old cliché “be careful what you wish for…”? After a little restructuring and talented help from others, I dug out and started training daily and found I absolutely loved it! Fighting back from the constant lure of the keyboard and get back in touch with the part of me that had nothing to do with technology, clients and deadlines – the anti-geek. It’s the part of you that doesn’t want to be in touch at a moment’s notice. To have the space sometimes to be where people can’t find you, to be beholden to no-one. Somewhere it’s just you, your boots and that giant pile of rocks ahead. Then there’s the wonderful feeling climbing up to a summit and looking down on how little everything is …putting everything back into some kind of manageable perspective.
Oh, and the other challenge here is that there is no tour group. It will just be me, Carla (my good VA hiking buddy) and a set of maps. Directions are not my strong suit. A little push out of my comfort zone, some adequate preparation, and a good set of navigation tools….It’s sounding more likely a business plan than a walk!
I just can’t wait to get going and there is something about the physical and mental challenge of it that keeps me braced and ready for tasks that I take on each day now. The lesson I learnt is about re-establishing balance in my life, and how important it is — whether you cook, garden, hike, run or whatever — to take the energy and passion from one side of your life and use it to recharge the other. More on the hike later too…we are hoping to set up a blog. Happy trails!

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