W03: Honesty & Business Ethics

 

In week 3, we learned more about ways we can strive to be more honest and gain business ethics as we seek this path of entrepreneurship.  We had a few readings and videos to watch. The first video I watched was a Brigham Young University of Idaho devotional by Elder Lynn G. Robbins, entitled, Making a Living and a Life. In this video, he taught how working and living are essential parts of God's plan. We work to help build His kingdom, we are asked to be honest in our daily dealings, and live a life full of good works; striving to make a positive impact within the world and our communities.

He shared a chart of how we should be in our daily dealings. The chart is as follows:

Grade                       Primary Motivation                        Secondary Motivation

    A                      Love of God & fellowmen                             Income

    B                              Money                                          Love of fellowmen

    C                          Love of Money                       Indifferent to clients or customers

    D                          Filthy Lucre                            Harmful to clients or customers

This chart describes how a person should be as a worker or business person. We should always strive to be grade-A individuals. We are to be people who place our love for God and love for mankind before our income. We should care more about the differences we are making rather than what we are earning. We never want to become a grade D individual who places their hearts on riches and mistreats or is toxic to the people who cross in our path. From a business perspective, you want to create products that will benefit society and not harm it. 

The second video we were asked to watch is Sheri Dew's, True Blue, Through and Through, BYU-Idaho Devotional in 2004. She spoke about integrity and how important it is to stand for your convictions. Integrity brings peace, whereas a lack of it brings instability. A slight breach of integrity can open a door for Satan. Imagine how that is in the workforce? Greed can take over, being dishonest, or doing something illegal that can destroy you as a person. Those are not ways, we should try to accomplish our work. Sister Dew mentioned it is impossible to lead people if they do not trust you. I, 100%, truly believe that. A business could not thrive. 

We also were asked to read a case study about Magdalena Yesil, she was a woman who came to the United States from Turkey. Her goal and dream was to study technology in the States. This path took her on many different career paths. She grew a love for entrepreneurship and accomplished much in the business world. I learned a lot this week about how important it is to be true to yourself, your goals, and your dreams. When you put your mind to it. You can achieve your heart's desires. It's also important that as I go down this entrepreneur career path, it's vital to be someone worth working for and to own a business that can be enjoyable. I have much to learn and I look forward to the knowledge I am learning each week. There is much I did not know about entrepreneurship!