Though some might think of business ethics consulting as irrelevant, the truth is that it really applies to everybody. Different job roles have their own needs for business ethics consulting and training, and what works for one workplace may not work for another. However, no matter what business you are in, business ethics is a part of the whole, which is why many MBA programs include ethics coursework, and most companies have some provisions in place for ethical consulting.

For working with business ethics consultants to get the skills needed for compliance, both the front line of office workers and the top brass and management can profit from specialized solutions applicable to their job titles. Web users can find guidance from:

1. Office business ethics consultants with expertise in talking to office workers about behaviors in the workplace.

2. Specialized business ethics consulting by industry, where the ethical "thorns" of a certain kind of business are covered in thoughtful training and analysis.

3. More business ethics solutions for leaders and those in powerful positions, where training focuses on larger aspects like controlling company resources and paying attention to stockholders.

Action Steps
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Get beyond the 'cheerleader' role for business ethics consulting

One of the main issues when working with ethical business consulting for the rank and file is the idea that yesterday's approaches may be almost entirely ineffective. As control structure continues to change in the workplace, the simplistic paradigms of the past do not generally engage those who they are aimed at. Renovate your business ethics consulting and training to be relevant in both content and tone.

I recommend: For thoughts on the dangers of anemic rank and file ethics training, check out sites like the Business Ethics Blog by Chris McDonald, Ph. D. Getting a free consultation from a business ethics consulting company like Professional Services Source may be a way to get a feel for the effectiveness of a course before beginning to make sure your training soars above the textbook approach that tends to alienate workers.

Find the business ethics consulting programs suited to your workplace

Another part of 'ordering up' business ethics advisor options is to find out how these kinds of consulting firms can best supply your company with what it needs to comply with all laws and promote integrity in the halls and beyond. Managers can accomplish this in various ways, by being attuned to their workers' needs and active in finding the right fit.

I recommend: Get customized business ethics training plans in your office from working with companies like WeComply, where the firm offers to create programs tailored to your business needs. Or look through business ethics consulting "training catalogs" from consultants like K-Alliance to find solutions that work for you.

Look for corporate responsibility business ethics consulting

Other business ethics advisors deal mainly in providing consulting to the top of a business, for guidance on how to promote environmental stewardship, fiscal responsibility and financial solvency, rather than workplace-oriented consulting on social behaviors. This kind of broader business ethics consulting can help business leaders stay true to shareholders, the public and the environment.

I recommend: The Ethical Leadership Group offers advanced ethics training from highly credentialed professionals on issues that go beyond workplace interactions. These options on stewardship, sustainability and more, tailored to top brass, can make a huge difference in the navigation of a company. For more of this kind of resource, let managers chart their own ethical growth with publications and materials like those of Green America's Green Business Network, a venue for learning about socially responsible business.

Business ethics advisors are invaluable when your business needs specialized talent or industry knowledge not currently available on your staff. With vast resources, ethics consultants offer fresh perspective, experience, knowledge and skills to provide successful ethics solutions for your business.

Business ethics consultants provide important skills for businesses seeking to align workplace attitudes and behavior with their corporate values and standards. Ethics consulting companies increase productivity by addressing essential issues, recognizing internal or external obstacles and providing specialized services to improve your workplace environment.

Before beginning your search for a business ethics consultant, it is important to define your consulting needs. Clearly identify the goal of your ethical business consultancy service, project scope, services needed, time frame and budget. This information will help you select the best business ethics advisor to meet your specific needs.

When selecting business ethics experts for your organization, research each consulting practice and evaluate the following:

1. What kind of experience do the business ethics advisors offer to improve workplace attitudes and behavior for your company?

2. What services do the ethical consulting firms provide to enhance your business operations?

3. How much should your business invest in business ethics solutions?

Action Steps
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Hire business ethics consultants that specialize in your industry

Select ethics consultants for business who are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in your industry. Ask to see a list of past and present clients, and request references.

I recommend: Bauer Ethics Seminars features testimonials and an online client list representing a broad spectrum of industries. RedHawk Ethics Solution has provided ethics training for clients in the manufacturing, construction, transportation, finance, business services, education, government, health care, retail, consumer, energy, utilities, telecommunications and media industries. Vasin, Heyn & Company specializes in ethics and social responsibility consulting for non profit organizations.

Choose ethical business consulting firms with proven skills

Review the consulting work provided by each business ethics consulting firm. Evaluate the ethics consulting company's, qualifications and certifications, and request successful project examples of the specific skill sets you need.

I recommend: MHC International, Ltd., is skilled in helping businesses design and implement a Corporate Code of Ethics. Resources for Ethics and Management offers six custom consulting and training services to help companies increase business integrity. Working Values offers business ethics solutions, strategy, assessment and training services, and features online case studies.

Select business ethics advisors that meet your budget

Many business ethics consulting firms operate on a retainer with a minimum time commitment. Several utilize an hourly fee structure for short-term projects. Your ethical business consultancy cost will depend upon the scope of your services.

I recommend: WeComply, Inc., a business ethics and compliance training firm, offers per-credit, per-employee and per-program pricing options to meet their clients' needs. Ethical Leadership Group bills using an hourly fee or project fee depending on the project and client needs.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure that it is written into your contract that the business ethics consultant firm will not provide services to any competing business during the course of your relationship.
• •  It is tempting to save time by interviewing just one ethical business consulting firm. However, it is in your organization's best interest to contact and interview several business ethics consultants to discuss your potential project. Two or three choices will provide you with the best possible match in skills, services, price and rapport for both you and the business ethics consulting firm.

Business ethics consulting is a useful tool when a business is trying to expand into territories they are not familiar with, or have a delicate situation to handle. A business ethics consulting firm will isolate a set of ethical challenges that is specific to your business and then provide solutions about how your company can tactfully proceed so that all parties involved remain comfortable while doing business.

But, before you rush out and hire the first ethics consultants that you stumble across, it's important that you do a little research about what ethics consultants cover so that you can learn how their services can be applied to your business. Think of your little tutorial as "business ethics consultants for beginners." Here are some helpful resources.

1. Research the areas that business ethics advisors cover so that you can see how it can be incorporated into your business.

2. Contact associations made up of business ethics consultants to learn more about the latest standards and practices within the community.

3. Take a course or be trained by business ethics advisors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find out what ethics consultants do and what they can apply to your business

Business ethics solutions cover a myriad of topics. They can be utilized on a broad scale when a company is making a foray into a new country and needs to know the appropriate customs, or on an internal scale when a restructuring is occurring within company departments. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the many solutions that an ethics consultant can offer your business so that it can grow.

I recommend: Check out the website for Ethical Leadership Group. An ethics consulting firm, their website provides a comprehensive resource explaining the spectrum of the service that a business ethics consulting firm provides. Also, Credo Advisors is another quality resource when learning about the areas that business ethics consulting firms cover.

Locate associations which specialize in ethics consulting

Many business ethics consulting firms belong to associations which promote, discuss and spread awareness about business ethics. Because the ethics of business are quite specific to the nature of each business, and to a degree continuously evolving, contacting these resources is a great way to meet business ethics consultants and learn how their practices can be applied to your business. Attend their meetings or seminars for more information.

I recommend: Visit the website for Ethics & Compliance Office Association. They offer everything from company databases to information on seminars that cover how you can integrate business ethics with compliance. The Jewish Association for Business Ethics is another quality resource with similar information on their website.

Utilize ethics consulting courses to train your business employees

Many ethical consulting firms offer courses or training which your employees can attend to understand the latest practices and procedures in the world of business ethics. These range from online classes that can be taken from an office computer, to classes and even seminars which you can host at your office. Attend one of these classes to further your knowledge on how ethics consultants can help your business grow.

I recommend: Visit the website of LRN. They offer ethics training courses which can be given to the employees of your business. Also, Inspired eLearning also offers similar training.

Business ethics consultants are important to have in business. They are essential for businesses that strive to maintain honest practices between employees and with customer relations. A business ethics consultant can provide many services including research, studies and training to meet the ethical standards put forth in the business model. A business ethics consultant can also provide assistance in creating, developing and implementing a new set of ethical standards for any type of business.

Action Steps
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Due diligence

Due diligence is a process used to evaluate an opportunity for an organization. This evaluation can be for the ethical standards an opportunity provides when businesses are looking to merge or invest in another company. A consultant can provide support when using due diligence.

I recommend: Santa Clara University provides an example of combining ethics and due diligence to make important business decisions.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Another service of business ethics consultants is the ability to help a business achieve a specific level of corporate social responsibility. This is a process of a business working aspects of self-regulation into the business model for meeting the legal and ethical standards of the industry.

I recommend: Robert Stavins has written a blog on The Huffington Post that talks about corporations making an effort to attain social responsibility in business practices.

Ethical assurance

Ethical assurance is an evaluation of the standards of ethical practice in a business. Businesses can set up guidelines for ethical assurance with the help of a consultant.

I recommend: The Accountability Rating provides standards for businesses to meet. A consultant can use this to rate the ethical assurance of a business compared to other businesses around the world.

Ethical investing

Ethical investing is a way for businesses to invest corporate funds into secure, profitable and ethical opportunities. A consultant can provide a business with a number of resources to find ethical investments.

I recommend: Ethical Investing provides information on ethical investing and resources to find honest investments for businesses.

Institute for Global Ethics

The Institute for Global Ethics is a nonprofit organization that promotes the practice of making ethical decisions for individuals, groups and businesses. The organization also provides services to assist businesses and groups in implementing ethical standards.

I recommend: Learn more about the Institute for Global Ethics at its website.

Business ethics training

Business ethics training is a program provided by many business ethics consultants that provides specific training techniques for employees. Topics covered include understanding and implementing the ethical standards of the particular business.

I recommend: Peak Ethics provides the specifics on tailoring a business ethics training program for any type of business.