Ethics training: What’s the ROI-part 2

Part 2 has to deal with the ROI, return on investment. I have found very few organizations that use the term “investment” with any type of ethics training. For most, ethics training is a cost, a line item. When the term “cost” is used, one needs to think about the motivation and reason of why ethics training is being done and what type of training employees will get.
What is the difference between something that is a “cost ”or an “investment”? When one makes an investment, one thinks very carefully about how their dollars will be used, what is the process for investing and will this investment truly reflect the values and the mission of the organization. An investment, in its most fundamental concept, is a proactive process involving thought, design, format and commitment.
A cost tends to reflect something that needs to be done, but money dictates every decision on how much, when, why something needs to be done. It is a reaction to a law, an external source that states this is a requirement or dictate that this needs to be done. So what happens? One is given a limited budget and then everything else is made to fit that number. This is approach get you exactly what you pay for! Sometimes, “miracles” are expected to happen with limited funds. Not going to happen!
An investment happens when due diligence is made to research the best resources, formats, training options, etc., that will support the values and mission of the organization. Based on that information, a budget is created to meet those training needs. This is an investment.
So is the result you want a Return on investment or a return on cost? Be clear on what you’re paying for why and what you will get in return.

fbucaro

Like you, business ethics and ethical leadership expert, Frank Bucaro has seen the challenges and problems of corporate leadership, particularly over the past few years in regards to poor decision-making, SEC violations, and record breaking financial settlements in a number of different industries. With over two decades of executive training, speaking, writing and with real life experiences, his view and approach to ethics in the workplace is uniquely different. He emphasizes that ethics is a moment-to-moment choice and has little to do with position, titles, personalities or education. Ethics is everybody’s responsibility from the top down. His goal is to help organizations to: a. Strengthen their ethics training initiatives in order to significantly decrease the odds of an ethical/compliance violation. b. Energize, train and motivate employees to understand the value of consistent “high road” behavior as a business advantage. c. Support individuals and thereby the organization by contributing to its success by quality, ongoing values based leadership development. Frank is known for his very practical, slightly irreverent, yet somewhat humorous approach to ethics and leadership development. His conversational style and real life stories connect with his audience in a personal, intense and practical level. Companies such as Bayer Healthcare, BP, ReMax International, EnMax Energy, Danone, etc. have partnered with Frank when they want to proactively stress the message, tools, insights and practical applications that good ethics IS good for business!