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Table of Contents

1. Editor's Musings
2. How to Build a Business Ethics Program by Chris Anderson
3. Recommended
4. Internet Sites Reviewed
5. Freebies and Other Good Deals
6. Joke of the Week

1. Editor's Musings

Belated Robbie Burns Day wishes to the Scottish among my readers (and those who wish they were!)

2.Article: How to Build a Business Ethics Program by Chris Anderson

Recent corporate financial scandals have highlighted the importance of business ethics and legal compliance. Yet a recent National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) survey of 280 corporate CEOs and directors found that "only one of three directors felt that they were highly effective in ensuring legal compliance".

Building an Ethics and Compliance Program

Most companies realize that they need to develop and implement a business ethics and compliance program.

An effective program can:

• Establish a code of conduct that reduces risk of criminal behavior
• Detect wrongdoing, foster quick investigations, minimize consequences
• Demonstrate company's ethical/legal philosophy during an investigation
• Reduce fines if company is found guilty of wrongdoing
• Enhance company reputation and stature

• Develop in-house from scratch
• Hire an external consultant
• Use a pre-written manual

And most of these companies learn a few lessons - sometimes the hard way.

Developing a program from scratch can be very time consuming and costly. Also, the company might not have the knowledge or understanding of the complexity involved. But hiring an external consultant is not always a cost effective option either. So what's left?

Developing Your Ethics Program

By using a pre-written template or manual, many companies have found it easier to develop their business ethics program. And to do this, they look for what a strong program needs.

A highly effective tool for creating, organizing and implementing a sound business ethics and compliance program should provide:

• Sample policies and procedures
• Step-by-step instructions for the development of a program
• A business ethics training program outline with classroom materials and a detailed session leader's guide
• Business ethics and compliance officer position description
• Templates for employee involvement
• Sample code of conduct

Implementing Your Ethics Program

If the company board has committed to a strong business ethics and compliance program, the next step is to put the manual in the hands of corporate executives responsible for implementation. Used properly under advice of legal counsel, this efficient tool will yield a solid program that the board can understand, endorse, and monitor for effectiveness.

With step-by-step guidelines and accompanying examples of policies, procedures, training program, and employee survey, an effective tool provides an excellent road map for implementing an ethics and compliance initiative.

Maintaining a Culture of Integrity

Companies should make certain that their ethics compliance manual provides fully editable MS Word files with sample policies, surveys, forms and training session outlines. Also, businesses should ensure their ethics compliance system manual is fully endorsed by The National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) as a tool to maintain a culture of integrity.

3. Product Recommendation: *** Monaco EzColor/Optix XR Calibration System ***

I saw this demonstrated over the weekend and I was impressed. This award winning product isn't an impulse purchase - but if you do much printing or scanning from your computer, you'll love what it does for your images.

The Monaco EzColor (combo hardware and software) calibrates your colors so the images you see on your monitor are exactly what you will see when you print your photograph or image. It's goodbye to disappointments and expensive waste of paper and inks when what you see isn't what you get. The scanner can be entered into the mix also - so you get the exact same color match from scanner, printer and monitor. I print many of my own digital photographs. This item is on my wish list. It's amazing.

Take a look at it here:
Monaco EzColor/Optix XR Calibration System

4. Internet Sites -- reviewed by June Campbell

*** Wireless Hotspots
Wireless hotspots where road warriers can connect to the Internet for free.

*** Kids Domain
Software downloads for kids. Freeware and trial versions.

*** Blogging Could Cost you your Career
Article about the dangers of blogging.

*** Picassa
A new, recently updated free photo management tool from Google.

5. Freebies and Good Deals

a. Receive 250 Business Cards, Absolutely FREE! You pay only shipping and handling.Visit this link for additional information.

b. FREE Gold Collection Package Software! Who Else Wants To Own And Make Money From A Superb Quality Collection Of Time Saving And Newbie-Friendly Webmasters Tools? ...Absolutely FREE!
Click Here To Register FREE and Receive These FREE Tools!

c. Did you know that subscribers to Bob Osgoodby's Free Ezine "Tip of the Day" get a Free Ad for their Business on his Web Page? Subscribe at:
http://adv-marketing.com
Great Business and Computer Tips - Monday thru Friday Instructions to place your ad are in the Newsletter.

6. Joke of the Week: Healthcare.

Bob and Betty Hill were badly hurt in a car accident while driving through Transylvania. The couple managed to crawl to a nearby farmhouse. Igor, a servant, opened the door and called to his master, a scientist. The scientist carried the Hills to his lab unfortunately they both died.

Saddened, the scientist left the lab and went to play his piano, leaving Igor to clean the lab. Soon, the astonished Igor noticed that both Bob and Betty were moving around.

"Master, master," he called, "The Hills are alive with the sound of music!"

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