For Immediate Release
Contact: Chris Anderson
Bizmanualz, Inc.
(314) 863-5079 (tel)
(314) 863-6571 (fax)
Corporate Scandals Highlight Need for Business Ethics Programs
St. Louis, MO - January 6, 2005. Recent corporate financial scandals have highlighted the importance of business ethics and legal compliance. Yet a recent National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) survey of 280 corporate CEOs and directors found that "only one of three directors felt that they were highly effective in ensuring legal compliance".
This is why Bizmanualz, Inc., a business publications and consulting company based in Clayton, MO., now offers a manual for developing and implementing a Business Ethics and Compliance Program.
Most companies have realized that they need to develop and implement a business ethics and compliance program. But they need to take the first step and make the commitment.
So if a company’s board has committed to a strong business ethics and compliance program, the next step is to put this manual in the hands of corporate executives responsible for implementation. Used properly under advice of legal counsel, this efficient tool will yield a solid program that the board can understand, endorse, and monitor for effectiveness.
An effective program can:
- Establish a code of conduct that reduces risk of criminal behavior
- Detect wrongdoing, foster quick investigations, minimize consequences
- Demonstrate company’s ethical/legal philosophy during an investigation
- Reduce fines if company is found guilty of wrongdoing
- Enhance company reputation and stature
The manual is a highly effective tool for creating, organizing and implementing a sound business ethics and compliance program. It is the only manual of its kind to provide:
- Sample policies and procedures
- Step-by-step instructions for the development of your program a business ethics training program outline with classroom materials and a detailed session leader’s guide
- Business ethics and compliance officer position description
- Templates for employee involvement
- Sample Code of Conduct
Developing a program from scratch can be very time consuming and costly. Also, the company might not have the knowledge or understanding of the complexity involved. But hiring an external consultant is not always a cost effective option either. So what’s left?
By using a pre-written template or manual, many companies have found it easier to develop their business ethics program. And to do this, they look for what a strong program needs.
With step-by-step guidelines and accompanying examples of policies, procedures, training program, and employee survey, an effective tool provides an excellent road map for implementing an ethics and compliance initiative.
Written by Ethics and Compliance Strategies, LLC, an active NACD member, the 99-page manual includes a hard disk with sample documents and templates for policies and procedures.
Bizmanualz offers training, department manuals and process development consulting for: Accounting, Human Resources, and ISO Quality Management Systems. Bizmanualz Policies & Procedures products combine a printed manual with easily editable MS-Word documents on CD-ROM enabling executives to create and maintain internal controls. Products are available through the company's web site www.Bizmanualz.com, www.Amazon.com, www.bn.com and other affiliates. Dealer programs are also available.
For more information, contact: Chris Anderson, Bizmanualz, Inc. 314-863-5079 chris@bizmanualz.com
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Bizmanualz is a trademark of Bizmanualz, Inc .
