Aggressive Business Strategies

Aggressive Business Strategies Outreach the Perimiters

 of Ethical Standards.

 

 

Consider, for example, a recent headline from ‘Business Bloomberg’ “Goldman Sachs Sues 7 Wealth Managers ‘Pirated’ by Suisse.”

 

According to the report, the court complaint alleged that Credit Suisse had offered

millions of dollars to 7 Wealth Managers at Goldman Sachs to induce them to join

Credit Suisse.

 

In another story on this case, CNBC used the term ‘Poaching’. Whether ‘pirated’ or

‘poached’, this is risky business and serious business of a standard business practice:

Recruiting. It represents an extraordinary enticement tactic outside the normal rules

of play in business.

 

 

Days later a subsequent report noted the dismissal of the law suit, and likely involved

some backroom conversations.

 

Aggressive strategies in business are mostly admired with a positive view, especially when revenue gain is the result. Just as in sports athletic type moves in the business world stimulate envy and admiration. However, in sports there are ‘penalties’ when

players go beyond the normal bounds of fair play. There are foul shots for basketball, yardage losses for football, penalty strokes in golf, and game suspensions in baseball. Referees impose these penalties.

 

Accomplishment and achievement can yield high rewards. Yet it is Ethics and Fair

Business Practice that make a trophy shine when accomplished.

 

I personally would rather encounter business exchanges that result for all parties with a value added capability, respect among participants, along with a sense of truth and trust.

 

In the business worlds there is no one appointed referee, but altogether ethics and fair

business practice will strengthen business exchanges, enhance, and further preserve the

competitive spirit.

 

Walt Lopus

Ethics Chair 2010