Shakespeare is famous for once having written…”first, kill all the lawyers”. But even if that were to happen, the problem of Ethics in the workplace would still be with us. For we are all human.

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Years ago, when I was waiting tables at the 42nd Street Oyster Bar in Raleigh, visitors used to give me advice on what to say to businesses and corporations about Ethics. “Jim”, they would say, “it isn’t enough to tell people about your own story, what you did wrong and how you came back. Businesses want more than that. They want a listing of how to keep employees happy and honest and out of trouble. They want to know how to protect themselves.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to know those answers? But it is possible, and it happens every day. A business is only as good and honest as each individual employee or worker. What makes people that way? I believe it is passion, humility, acceptance of responsibility, telling the truth, happiness, humor, faith and even grace. I did not read about these in books, though perhaps I should have. I found them in my own very personal experience of being a successful trial lawyer and losing it all and then having to start all over.

"I was fortunate to hear Jim Blackburn speak at a Bank Directors meeting and I knew right away Jim would relate to our people. Jim's story conveys that no matter how low your life circumstances get, you never, never give up. He reinforces that wherever you are in your walk of life; your mountaintop successes or your deep valley lows, your faith, family, friends and your relationships with people are the most important aspects of life.

Boddie-Noell has a vision and values statement we strive to live by. At the heart of our vision and values is "Simply Doing What is Right". Jim did what was right in facing his problems and turning his life around.

What a GREAT story of having it all, losing it and starting over."

- Mike Boddie
  President, Restaurant Operations
  Boddie-Noell Enterprises, Inc.

Doing the right thing sounds good and easy. It isn’t always. But it is the only real way.

Corporate Ethics – let me talk with you about what I have learned.

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