Ethics Articles

Business » Ethics | By Marc Choyt @ Wednesday, 17th October 2007 @ 9:57 PM

A Google search for \"fair trade jewelry\" will bring up numerous companies, many of which sell ethnic jewelry produced in small villages in the developing world. The concept draws the socially responsible shopper, yet the third party labeling organization, Fair Labeling Organization (FLO) - of which Transfair USA is a member - does not currently list jewelry. Apart from that, some large players in the mainstream jewelry industry are beginning to tout concepts such as \"fair trade di... more...

Business » Ethics | By Marc Choyt @ Wednesday, 17th October 2007 @ 9:50 PM

In 2006, Carmen Iezzi, was named executive director of the Fair Trade Federation, which represents more than 250 fair trade businesses in North America. An Alumni of American University, she knew she had an important and significant job to do. She envisioned her role as the youngest person there; to lead the group with fresh eyes and new energy, working towards an important cause during a key time of growth. I conducted this interview with her over the telephone and through email... more...

Business » Ethics | By Marc Choyt @ Friday, 12th October 2007 @ 6:42 PM

I conducted this interview with Steve D\'Esposito: MC: Given EARTHWORKS\' highly charged \"Dirty Gold\" campaign which many perceived as hostile to the jewelry industry, how it is now that you have now coalesced support to sponsor this jewelry summit? Can you outline, briefly, what led you to this position and the role of the Madison Dialogue? SD: That\'s a misperception. The campaign calls for \"No Dirty Gold.\" It\'s not a campaign against gol... more...

Business » Ethics | By Obinna Heche @ Friday, 12th October 2007 @ 12:25 PM

You wanted to have that second cup of coffee from your favorite mug and you will only be a few minutes late. Whats the big deal. It is a big deal to be late by five minutes or an hour. When you are late for work, every minute counts. Each minute missed effects the flow of a business. Businesses run on a schedule to prevent conflict and to insure that everything runs smoothly. When an employee is late it automatically alters the schedule and the days events. An example of this is a person... more...

Business » Ethics | By Obinna Heche @ Tuesday, 9th October 2007 @ 3:07 PM

You wanted to have that second cup of coffee from your favorite mug and you will only be a few minutes late. Whats the big deal. It is a big deal to be late by five minutes or an hour. When you are late for work, every minute counts. Each minute missed effects the flow of a business. Businesses run on a schedule to prevent conflict and to insure that everything runs smoothly. When an employee is late it automatically alters the schedule and the days events. An example of this is a person... more...

Business » Ethics | By Obinna Heche @ Tuesday, 9th October 2007 @ 2:19 PM

Working in a stockroom can be a dirty job and someday you hope that your efforts will be noticed and you will get the chance to prove what you can with a promotion into a supervisors role. However, if supervisors watching the operation see everyone dressed for the part of throwing freight around the back room, they will generally place them all in the same category. Working harder is one way to get promoted but having someone who matters notice your extra work can take a long time and may... more...

Business » Ethics | By Dave Origano @ Tuesday, 9th October 2007 @ 2:58 AM

Have you heard the phrase fake it until you make it? It\'s something which is increasingly common among business owners, especially on the internet or in direct mail. The basic idea is someone sells you a program or course teaching you how they made millions- only they haven\'t yet made the millions, they hope to do so by selling thousands of copies of the course they sold you. They were lying about being rich to begin with, but if all goes to plan they\'ll get rich in the end. Od... more...

Business » Ethics | By Marc Choyt @ Monday, 3rd September 2007 @ 4:22 AM

Laurens Mare is CEO of the South African Jewelry Counsel. The interview was conducted by Marc Choyt. Through the nonprofit organization, Vukani-Ubuntu, you have created a wonderful model that trains economically disadvantaged people from townships into the jewelry trade. Let\'s start with what year you were founded and how many people are involved in your program now? This started in 1999. I joined Demos Takoulas (current CEO) in late 1999. At that stage there was just one... more...

Business » Ethics | By Marc Choyt @ Thursday, 23rd August 2007 @ 5:42 PM

We now have the opportunity to pro actively address the shadow, or toxic side of the jewelry industry in a truthful way. The emotional trigger issues, such as mining, blood diamonds and a host of other concerns actually make our industry a very easy target. As jewelry designers and manufacturers, we can embrace this opportunity or we can continue to live in denial. If we choose the latter, we run the risk of unsympathetic people running full page ads in the New York Times, simplify... more...

Business » Ethics | By Richard Bliss @ Friday, 17th August 2007 @ 11:56 AM

It used to be the stolen kisses in the cleaning closet and the joint business trips, but today\'s tracking of illicit employee behavior has reached a new level of surveillance. Almost every communication and every message is tracked, recorded and cataloged by a company\'s IT department. Here are three things to watch out for if you are personalizing your work communications: Email - In the US, organizations own the email that their employees use to conduct work. They own all the... more...