The Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation's vision is to make Rochester the "gold standard for ethical business cultures" through their annual ETHIE award that celebrates the all too often untold POSITIVE examples of ethical companies and stories of their ethical practices. Alan Ziegler is the founder of RABEF and was recently recognized for his dedication to ethics in Rochester with national recognition as one of four recipients of the "Being a Difference" award given by the Center for Public Trust. Studies show that high standards of ethics drive high performance and long-term profitability of companies. Alan and RABEF share the vision with Conscious Capitalism ROC that conscious, ethical business practices can be an economic development strategy for the region. Tune in to this interview to hear the vision for recruiting companies to Rochester based on our ethical companies and workers as well as the work being done to cultivate the ethical leaders of Rochester's future. Plus, learn about the process for applying for the ETHIE Award and why many have said that the process of applying was as valuable as winning the award!
The Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation's vision is to make Rochester the "gold standard for ethical business cultures" through their annual ETHIE award that celebrates the all too often untold POSITIVE examples of ethical companies and stories of their ethical practices.
In addition to a 30-year career in the sales and service of employee benefit plans and his current role as President and CEO of Futures Funding Corporation, Alan Ziegler is also the founder of the Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation (RABEF). In their 11-year history, they have grown to be one of the most important business programs in the Rochester community. In recognition of that work, he was recently one of four national recipients of the “Being a Difference” award, given by the Center for Public Trust.
Studies show that high standards of ethics drive high performance and long-term profitability of companies. Alan and RABEF share the vision with Conscious Capitalism ROC that conscious, ethical business practices can be an economic development strategy for the region. Tune in to this interview to hear the vision for recruiting companies to Rochester based on our ethical companies and workers as well as the work being done to cultivate the ethical leaders of Rochester's future. Plus, learn about the process for applying for the ETHIE Award and why many have said that the process of applying was as valuable as winning the award!
[1:30] The founding of the Rochester Area Business Ethics Foundation (RABEF) to "celebrate the good"
[3:45] Current programs of RABEF: The "ETHIE" Award, Scholarships and training programs to make Rochester "Recognized as the Gold Standard of Ethical Cultures"
[6:30] Research on how companies with ethical cultures have higher performance and profitability
[9:15] Ethics and Conscious Capitalism as Economic Development: What if GRE (Greater Rochester Enterprise) recruited companies to Rochester based on our ethical companies and workers?
[10:00] How winning an ETHIE Award made a past winner feel the responsibility to take their ethical practices to the next level
[12:00] How an ETHIE Award can be your best employee attraction tool
[14:00] The nomination and application process for the ETHIE Award
Feedback from past recipients: "Thank you for the award, but the most valuable part was going through the process"
[18:00] Alan's ethical role models, from early influences to Rochester role models including Foodlink's Tom Ferraro, The United Way's Jaime Saunders and the Rochester Area Community Foundation's Jennifer Leonard.
[21:45] Ethical dilemmas in the life insurance and employee benefits business and how Alan brings ethical practices into his own career
[26:50] Harnessing business for good
[29:00] Jack Bogle - "Battle for the Soul of Capitalism" - How reporting the quarterly numbers has had a negative influence on capitalism and how Japan writes 50 year strategic plans
[31:50] The future of RABEF: How to make Rochester the "gold standard of ethical cultures"
[33:20] How RABEF encourages ethics in the next generation through essays and scholarships
[36:15] Partnering with Junior Achievement to help students exercise their ethical reasoning muscles
[38:30] John Kennedy - "Profiles in Courage" - What are you willing to sacrifice to make an ethical decision?
[42:00] The importance of surrounding yourself with other ethical leaders
Learn more at www.RochesterBusinessEthics.com