| How many times have you attended a business | | | | |
| networking event and observed the following: | | | | 1. Would anyone want to do business with a CPA, |
| - People talking on the cell phones when someone is | | | | attorney, dentist or real estate agent who cannot give |
| speaking from the podium? | | | | her or his focus for at least 30 minutes? |
| - People texting on their Blackberries or Treos or | | | | 2. Would I be confident in referring one of these |
| PDAs responding to text messages or emails? | | | | individuals? |
| - People with wireless Bluetooth ear pieces or similar | | | | Our behaviors demonstrate to the outside world as to |
| devices? | | | | our internal attitudes and the beliefs that drive those |
| - People talking on the cell phones in the lobby and | | | | attitudes. Sometimes, individuals forget that the rest of |
| letting everyone know that they are talking on the | | | | the world is watching from an entirely different |
| phone? | | | | perspective. |
| What does this really tell you about these individuals? | | | | If we look back 10, 20 and 50 years ago, was this |
| First, they have a lot self importance. Second, they are | | | | type of behavior prevalent. For the most part, no |
| rude and clearly do not have positive business ethics. | | | | because the excuse of technology was not available |
| Third, they are truly people I probably do not want to | | | | and people in general were far more polite and |
| do business with given their observed behaviors. | | | | respectful. Men took off their hats when the flag |
| During a recent luncheon honoring some local and | | | | passed or when entering a building and always in a |
| dedicated business leaders, I watched at my table (6 | | | | restaurant. Women also were more respectful in the |
| men and 3 women and none being physicians) five of | | | | marketplace from their dress to their own behaviors. |
| the men busy replying on their PDAs. One gentleman | | | | Business ethics is the sum total of your behaviors and |
| actually did leave the table and went outside to take a | | | | how you respond in public regardless if public means |
| call. My thought as I looked at all of this activity is that | | | | your place of work or public means a business |
| "No one unless you are the President of the United | | | | luncheon. As some would say, leave your ego with all |
| States or a physician on call, is that important!" | | | | of your own self importance at the door for you never |
| As I continued to watch this type of self importance | | | | know who is watching. |
| behavior, I began to have these two thoughts: | | | | |