One of the problems is that ethics is never a business issue or a social issue or a political issue. It is always a personal issue. People say they want integrity. But at the same time, ironically, studies indicate that the majority of people don't always act with the kind of integrity they request from others.

It's ironic that the same person who cheats on his income tax or steals supplies from his office actually wants honesty and integrity from the politician he votes for, the company he works for or the financial institution he entrusts with his investments.

This sort of mindset seems to be starting early with our children.

"A significant percentage of teenagers who are confident in their ability to make ethical decisions regard dishonest and even violent behavior as necessary for success..."

We as network marketers can't effort to have this type of mindset. Whether we like it or not, we need to be more ethical then the average person because of others that came before us.

Let's expand our thinking to a global community.

Let me ask you this question, "When you are building your network marketing business outside of your home country, do you still use the same ethical system as you do at home?"

The answer should be easy, if you are using a ethical system at home that is win-win for everybody.

Polls have shown that when people are asked about doing business abroad, what ethical customs should be used, the large majority of the responders indicate that they would use a combination of their own ethics and that of the country in which they are doing business.

What? Please do not confuse the concept of ethics with that of local customs.

It's easy to discuss ethics and even easier to be disgusted with people who fail the ethics test - especially when we have been violated by the wrongdoing of others. It's harder to make ethical choices in our own lives. When we are faced with unpleasant choices, what are we going to do?

We know that it's always harder when it's you having to make the choice.

My next article entitled "Ethics in Network Marketing and the Bottom Line" will examine the concept of reverting back to the basics and making decisions based on what is right.

See you on the Beaches of the World,

Kevin McNabb

Kevin McNabb is the author of The Responsible Network Marketer Series.
He is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Toronto-based Global-Networking-Online.com,
and GlobalHealthMgmt.com, he offers live seminars and Internet training programs on personal development for the
Network Marketing industry. Details can be seen at www.KevinMcNabb.com.
He can be reached at 416/536-0123 or e-mail to kevinmcnabb@rogers.com.com

For more information see http://www.global-networking-online.com/Ethics.html
To purchase "The Responsible Network Marketer's Guide to Ethics,"
see http://www.global-networking-online.com/Ethics_Invitation.html (Includes a FREE Chapter)