Professional ethics is perhaps the most fundamental foundation of a professional's career and his or her every day-to-day responsibilities. Surveys show that clients look upon ethics as the most important part of their decisions to award services to professionals. The public at large look upon ethics in deciding whether or not they can trust the work of professionals when it comes to issues of public concern. The surveys* make clear that 70% of those who have to choose professionals rely upon ethics in determining whether or not to award services, whether or not to go with the proposals which have been offered.

Ethics is like a life raft, as long as you are on the raft, then you can keep your head above water. As soon as you took the raft in one direction or other, you are in danger of falling into the water. If you fall into today's waters, you are likely to disappear. I would believe firmly that no matter the economic situation, the highest standard of ethics is an absolute must for any professional.

*Quoting from "Hunting - who cares about socially responsible business practices? Seventy percent of customers, that's who" by Gayle Sato Stodder, 1998.