Subscribe to my Feed
Archive for August, 2009
« Previous EntriesAt Goldman Sachs, it seems some investors may be more equal than others
Monday, August 31st, 2009The Wall Street Journal reported last week that investment house Goldman Sachs has been giving about fifty of its top investors early stock tips and analysis that its other investors didn’t receive. According to the Journal, Goldman’s analysts meet weekly at a “trading huddle” to share insights and recommendations. Tips generated in those [...]
The Apology Center is fun … but is it effective?
Thursday, August 27th, 2009My friend Tom recently called my attention to a website that made PC Magazine’s list of the top 100 most interesting sites. At www.apologycenter.com, you’ll find hundreds of apologies posted by individuals who want to say they’re sorry for just about everything (and it’s amazing what some people have done). You’ll also have [...]
Senator Kennedy and the ethicist’s dilemma
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009Last night, Senator Edward Kennedy died at the age of 77 from cancer. His passing marks the end of an era for those of us who grew up in the age of Camelot. The story of his life underscores the biggest challenge for those of us who focus on ethics.
The youngest child of a [...]
Put safety first!
Friday, August 21st, 2009Continuing my Friday series about keeping your business out of court, let’s move from the contractual realm to the physical. If you have a brick-and-mortar business, various people come in and out of your facility: customers, employees, vendors, and anyone else who happens to drop by. If one of them gets injured on [...]
For great advice on ethical marketing, check out Principled Profit
Thursday, August 20th, 2009Long-time readers of this blog will remember the name of my friend Shel Horowitz, whose business ethics pledge was featured in one of my posts a few months back. Shel’s a talented and prolific writer, and I particularly enjoyed his book Principled Profit: Marketing That Puts People First.
Apparently, I’m not alone. [...]
Another day, another inadequate disclosure of investment risk …
Monday, August 17th, 2009The Washington Post reported today that New York Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo has filed a fraud suit against brokerage firm Charles Schwab. The suit reportedly accuses Schwab of failing to adequately disclose to investors the risks associated with “auction-rate securities.” If you have no idea what those are, you’re not alone. [...]
Create an apology-friendly workplace
Friday, August 14th, 2009Continuing my Friday series about keeping your business out of court, here’s a tip that may surprise you. To reduce your litigation risk, make sure you establish and maintain a workplace where it’s safe for your employees to apologize. Why? Read on:
Lawsuits frequently occur because someone in a company makes a relatively [...]
Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing as responsible litigation risk management
Thursday, August 13th, 2009Last week, I had the pleasure of appearing on Good Morning, Maryland to talk about using my book, The Art of the Apology, to make effective apologies. (If you’d like to see the clip, go to YouTube and check out Lauren Bloom TV.) While waiting in the green room to go on, one [...]
Hey, New Jersey, what took you so long?
Monday, August 10th, 2009When word broke last month about the massive corruption sting in New Jersey, it seemed almost too colorful to be true. City mayors and state assemblymen grubbing for campaign contributions, rabbis laundering money, knockoff designer handbags and trafficking in human organs, for pity’s sake? If you made the movie, nobody would believe it. [...]
The customer isn’t always right - but be careful how you say so!
Friday, August 7th, 2009Continuing with my Friday series on keeping your business out of court, let’s talk about a risk that you may not have considered. Recently, a veterinary nurse called to answer some questions I had about caring for a chronically ill pet. The first words out of her mouth were an apology that she, [...]
« Previous Entries