So, based on the law, competitive intelligence is completely legal. Gathering information by not disclosing who you are to a competitor or by lying would be considered unethical, but it’s not illegal. The best competitive intelligence professionals don’t conduct their practice through illegal or unethical means.

A person’s intentions are important, but if nothing is done, then the intentions don’t really matter. However, if an action has a negative result, then the intentions behind it don’t matter as much. The intentions still matter, but they do not change the outcome. Actions are what generate effect in the real world.

Ethics just can’t be a top priority.” Unfortunately, in many cases this view seems to be winning. There is a high road to success, one where people live and work according to a set of values, ethics and principles that can make them feel good about themselves and the job they do.

In addition to these well-known business practices, companies that implement a management philosophy that relies heavily on business ethics are proven to be more successful than those that operate in an unethical manner.

While some businesses survive public knowledge of a lack of ethics through reimaging and advertising campaigns, many lose a key customer base. Customers that abandon a company because they are dismayed by poor ethical practices will find other products and services to meet their needs.

Ethical decision making is a process fundamental to a professional practice of counseling. Counselors foster clients’ independence in decision making. Beneficence means that as professionals, counselors are called to do good and to promote the general health of their clients.