The Global Business Oath

Felix Salmon is in Davos and he points us to something that truly cannot be parodied, the Global Business Oath:

As a business leader I recognize that
* The enterprise I lead must serve the greater good by bringing together people and resources to create value that no single individual can create alone,
* My decisions can have far-reaching consequences that affect the wellbeing of individuals inside and outside my enterprise, today and tomorrow,
* As I reconcile the interests of different constituencies, I will face choices that are not easy for me and others.
So I promise that
1. I will manage my enterprise diligently and in good faith and will not let personal considerations and compensation supersede the long-term interest of my enterprise and society at large,
2. I will understand and uphold, both in letter and spirit, the laws and contracts governing my own conduct and that of my enterprise,
3. I will respect and protect the human rights and dignity of all people who are affected by my enterprise and will oppose all forms of discrimination and exploitation,
4. I will respect and protect the right of future generations to enjoy a clean and resourceful planet,
5. I will not engage in nor tolerate bribery or any other form of corruption,
6. I will represent the performance and risks of my enterprise accurately and honestly to each of the constituencies that are affected by it,
7. I will actively engage in efforts to finding solutions to critical social and environmental issues that are central to my enterprise, and
8. I will invest in my own professional development as well as the development of other managers under my supervision.
In exercising my professional duties according to these principles I recognize that my behavior must set an example of integrity and responsible conduct.
This pledge I make freely and upon my honor.

I pledge to use inane sound bites, empty slogans and boring cant in the service of all humanity.
P.S. I misread the title of Felix’s post. “Youthful swearing at Davos” didn’t mean what I had hoped.

Posted by on January 28th, 2010 at 2:03 pm


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