Innovation & Job News

Ethics of entrepreneurship, Q&A with Chris Hall

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Ypsilanti

Business and job growth are seen as paramount when it comes to the local economy, but where does developing a local set of business ethics for all of this new commercial activity fit in? Chris Hall has an idea or two about that and plans to make them public at Eastern Michigan University's Ethos Week today.

The president of RepairClinic.com, online appliance parts retailer, will speak about "Ethics and Entrepreneurship" at 5:30 p.m. in Room 114 at the EMU's College of Business. The former appliance repairman will elaborate on the ethical challenges facing today's entrepreneurs as they navigate a tough economy, while sharing his own experience as an entrepreneur for the last decade.

Hall recently answered some ethics questions for Concentrate via email. Think of it as a taste test of what you can expect to hear from him this evening.

The Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area has a developing entrepreneurial ecosystem that is seen as crucial to the development of Michigan's new economy. What ethical issues will or should this ecosystem confront as it develops?

As we move further from our manufacturing roots in Michigan, and more into a service economy, I believe we need to relearn what it means to serve others - whether customers or employees. We, as a nation, have become too self-absorbed. Too often we put business interests ahead of the people those businesses are supposed to serve.

The line between university research and spinning off that technology for commercial purposes is not always clear. What ethical pitfalls should the local academia and entrepreneurial communities be in the new economy wary of while developing this relationship?

Michigan has a rare and unique opportunity. We have a strong manufacturing and technology base in our universities and businesses. And, we know that auto manufacturing isn't going to support Michigan single-handedly in the future. I believe we can become the leader in green technology. To do that, universities and businesses are going to have to share more of their research with each other. As a nation, we're leaning more toward protectionism. As a state, I believe we need to do the opposite. There are many entrepreneurs that would be able to move some of the green technology forward if they were given the chance.

When it comes to ethics and entrepreneurs, where should Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti look for guidance?

In our own backyard there are two large companies that I believe have been exceptional models of ethical leadership - Ford and Whirlpool. While they haven't been perfect, overall they have set a good example of how to do the right thing by their customers and their employees. On a smaller scale, Zingerman's in Ann Arbor sets a great example of how to do the right thing.

Name one thing would you change about the local business area when it comes to business ethics?

I would love to see the local communities get together and develop a code of ethics. Then, have local businesses opt in to be randomly audited for compliance to that code of ethics. Finally, build a website where local residents could check out the rankings of a business, and submit complaints for resolution. Kind of like the BBB but with a better resolution process and more transparency in the rankings.

Source: Chris Hall, president of RepairClinic.com
Writer: Jon Zemke

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Ethics of entrepreneurship, Q&A with Chris Hall

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