I started in the work force at the age of 18 cleaning hotel rooms in a small tourist town. The job was straight forward, clean up the mess and try and do it in the least amount of time possible. Every once in a while I look back on that job and think “Boy, I had it made!”. You show up, do your job and go home. No irate customers, no one wanting to be paid, no calling looking for payment and no dishonesty.

Today is one of those days. It has been building for weeks now. I am fed up with the business tango. My feet hurt and I want to go home. I have always prided myself on being honest with my customers, my colleges and my vendors. If something is not going to work, I will tell you. If I don’t know how to do something, I will tell you. If something is going to be late, I will tell you. If you are going to be over budget, I will tell you. It has been brought to my attention that this is not the normal business model.

We are now the generation of the runaround. Don’t have the money to pay bills, lie. Customer is going over budget, lie. Let them figure it out. What ever you do, do not miss out on that sell. Even if you have to throw every moral value your mother installed in you out the window, sell, sell, SELL.

Sure, I’m in business to make money but I’m also in business because I like helping people. I like creating things. I like helping my customers get one step closer to their dream. If you are in business just for the money than you are living a sad life. Business is more than just money. It is about people. Without the people you would have no one to sell to.  Without honesty there are no people. You can fool people the first time and maybe even the second time but after a while they stop coming back and soon you find yourself out of business.

I challenge my generation to revolt. Conduct yourself in business as you would conduct yourself anywhere else. Treat your customers as you would want to be treated at any store you frequent. Treat your vendors how you wish your customers would treat you. The golden rule applies to business as much as it applies on the playground and in your social life. Honesty and integrity are easy to lose and harder than granite to get back, guard them closely.