BBB Serving Southeast TN & Northwest GA 2023 Student of Integrity Scholarship Recipients

An excerpt from Alyx’s outstanding essay: “Without the presence of values and principles within firms—no matter how big or small—consumers cannot be assured they will be handled justly. Ethics allow business owners to conduct dealings without the threat of customers being mistreated. Business owners can use their values to outline how their selected employees work.

With ethics in place, communities can have unspoken guidelines for how they will be run. With this, communities will be able to work together to see change. Whether this change consists of creating businesses, starting initiatives, or planning events, certain values and principles will allow the community to build upon what already exists.

Considering that these values serve as guidelines for all aspects of life and conduct, they are essential and vital to seeing success in every facet of life.”

An excerpt from Tyler's essay: “One of the primary reasons that ethics are so important in business is that they help to build trust and credibility. When customers and stakeholders know that they can trust a company to behave in a fair and ethical manner, they are more likely to do business with that company and recommend it to others. Conversely, when companies engage in unethical behavior, such as lying, cheating, or taking advantage of others, they quickly lose the trust and support of their customers and stakeholders, and their reputation suffers as a result.

Ultimately I believe that ethics and integrity are not just important for individual businesses or communities, but for society as a whole. By prioritizing ethics and ethical behavior, we can create a world that is more just, more equitable, and more prosperous for everyone.” 

Here’s an excerpt of Matthew's essay: “Ethical behavior must happen in two different places: the workplace and the home. The community and business sectors are interrelated in many complex ways, and this means having an ethical code and ethical motivations in the home will have a positive effect on business, and having ethics in the workplace will have a positive effect on the community.

Having an ethical decision-making process is essential in both business and community affairs. Firstly, ethics are essential in both of these capacities because community decisions affect business, and business decisions affect communities. Ethical business decisions protect community members and ethical consumer decisions protect businesses.

Secondly, ethics transcend logic in that ethical decisions and ethical codes not only positively affect the present, but they also protect and preserve the future of communities and businesses that implement them. 

Here’s an excerpt from Anna's essay: “Some business ethics are established by law. Environmental regulations, minimum wage, and restrictions on insider trading and collusion are all examples of the government establishing minimum business ethics standards. However, ethics established through leadership and the way a company decides to run its daily procedure are just as vital to have.

When a company operates ethically, it helps to promote fairness, integrity, justice, accountability, and equality, all of which are important values in a prosperous society. This can lead to a more positive relationship with the community and a sense of purpose for employees who are proud to work for an organization that is making a positive impact. A community that values ethics and ethical behavior is more likely to be cohesive and long-lasting. When members of a community act ethically, they are more likely to form strong relationships and partnerships, which can lead to a more prosperous and thriving community.”

Here’s an excerpt from Joanna's essay: “The law, the human conscience, and often religious beliefs advise beings to advance through life with positive ethics. Honesty and transparency are critical ways to demonstrate ethics and can be vital in making a business or person reputable. From forming a bond of trust between a company and a consumer to lasting positive impacts in communities, ethics and morals are incredibly significant, especially within businesses and communities.

Centuries ago, Aristotle developed the rhetorical triangle: a tool to improve communication between a speaker and an audience, and one of the three parts of the rhetorical triangle is ethos, comprising ethics and credibility. Centuries later, ethos and ethics are still used and heavily respected, and reasonably so. The benefits of ethics in business provided to consumers, businesses, and employees showcase the power and importance of the continued use of ethics. In our local community of northwest Georgia and southeast Tennessee, we are lucky enough to enjoy relative peace, which can be largely credited to ethics and morals.”

Here’s an excerpt from Daycia's essay: “Growing up my parents always told me to do what is right, even when no one is watching. The greatest example of this mantra came from my step-father, John Morris. John was a chiropractor and owner of Morris Family Chiropractic..

John always told me that the key to a successful business was building relationships with customers, and making them feel valued and respected. He emphasized the importance of integrity in handling customer accounts and not placing the greatest value on money, but rather in ethical dealings with the community.

John passed away in 2022. At his funeral countless patients and community members attended. Each had a story of a good deed done and expressed their deep gratitude for such integrity. Thanks to John, I understand that the value of ethics is not simply doing what is right, even when no one is watching, but in fact is the ripple effect that will impact a good portion of the community due to the simple act of morality in a business encounter; that is what I define as the importance of ethics in business and community.”

Here’s an excerpt from Anna's essay:  “Businesses operating with integrity have the opportunity to make the world a better place. Communities built upon integrity have the opportunity to improve the lives of others. Whether through supporting those in need, challenging government rules, or contributing monetary support to causes worldwide, businesses acting with integrity change the communities where they reside for the better.

Operating with integrity makes all of us better human beings. “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can” —John Wesley.”  

Here’s an excerpt from Parth's essay: “Ethical behavior in business and community is essential for building trust and maintaining a positive reputation. A company that operates with high ethical standards is more likely to be trusted by its customers, employees, and investors. This trust translates into increased loyalty, repeat business, and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. Consequently, ethical companies are more likely to attract and retain industrious employees, as people want to work for organizations that share their values and beliefs.

Additionally, ethical behavior is also elemental for promoting social responsibility and creating a positive impact in society. This means businesses should not only focus on generating profits, but also consider the broader impact of their actions on society. For instance, companies can reduce their carbon footprint, invest in sustainable practices, and support local communities.”

Here’s an excerpt from Coty's essay:  “When we dive into what ethics really means to a person and what it involves, we commonly think of six things. These include: honesty, loyalty, integrity, respect, selflessness, and responsibility. When we measure those things in connection to what it means in review and use of a business, it means so much more. Our community can only thrive on  good ethical businesses.

Ethics in regard to integrity and respect go hand in hand. If a business is said to have strong integrity, they are said to have strong moral principles. In turn, that would usually always mean they have respect for their customers. If a business does not lie and cheat to get business, they in turn have the respect of our community. It means they have integrity. ”

Here’s an excerpt of Natalia's essay: “As a moral compass that guides organizations and individuals to make the right decisions, ethical behavior is fundamental to success. In both businesses and communities, ethical practices create fairness, build trust, and encourage innovation in society.

 Ethics can make businesses successful by promoting fairness and equal opportunities. In treating all stakeholders, employees, and customers with respect, ethical business practices can lead to higher levels of employee engagement and customer loyalty. Ethical standards can also foster an environment of equal opportunities, promoting inclusion and diversity. When businesses act ethically, they encourage others to do the same—creating a ripple effect that positively impacts the community.”