Today, during Sales Management lecture, the topic was on Building Trust and Sales Ethics. It got me thinking for awhile.. Ethics, Morals and Society's expectations.. What is right or wrong? And then you have the 'in-between' .. the gray area..

Ethics is what the society deems as right and wrong, while morals is what YOU deem as right and wrong. But sometimes, there is this gray area whereby, you wonder if what you are doing is right or wrong. My lecturer was describing about some of his past sales experience in different countries. Because of the different cultures, the way a sales transaction is done between a seller and a buyer (organisation, institute, etc..) is different. Often, drinking comes into the picture, like what we see on the television when a sales person tries to make a deal with a company, and then they'll go to a pub or somewhere for a drink, etc... And also about how some sales people use underhand means to make a deal.. How some practices which is considered illegal in certain countries may be considered legal in other countries, etc.. And also the dilemmas that we may face next time.

My lecturer asked a question, "At the end of the day, what would you do?" It really boils down to your own choice and decision i guess, and to know what is right or wrong morally and ethically and to stand by firmly to them. And i guess another thing that comes into play is your own principles. I feel that in the modern society today, it can be a challenge to stand and remain firm about your own morals, ethics and principles, because sometimes, under pressure and being in the 'rat-race culture' .. it can be easy to lose oneself to the world.

Today's lecture has kind of made me reflect... I pray and hope that, in the future, when im out there in the working society, in face of pressure and circumstances, i can remain level-headed and firm about what i believe in, firm about my morals, principles and values.