Monthly Archives: January 2011

A Match Made in Heaven, or Somewhere

Goldman Sachs has put together a $50-billion deal with Facebook and a Russian investor.  The company that paid a $550-million fine as it promised to disclose that it often bets against its clients is working with the company that can’t … Continue reading

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Follow the Rules Because When You Don’t, Well, We Assume the Worst

For the first time in decades an airline has been kicked off a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation process.  The NTSB has bumped American Airlines for its breach of protocol in the investigation of its jet sliding 600 feet … Continue reading

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Weak Boards — Redux

Robert C. Pozen proposed “A New Model for Corporate Boards” in a Wall Street Journal op-ed piece on December 30, 2010.  Add to the dashboard school yet another feeble quantitative measure that promises to provide the glorious solution to the … Continue reading

Posted in Seven Signs in Action | Leave a comment

“I have heard every excuse on the planet – except a good one.”

Althought offered by fitness guru Bob Greene, the line is one that works on ethics.  The Barometer has heard it all when it comes to businesses and business people discussing earnings management, sales puffing, and out-of-control stuff given to land … Continue reading

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The Truth About Social Networking: We Lie

USA Today has some interesting thoughts on our social networking, namely that we lie.  When asked how honest they were on their social networking sites, folks responded as follows: Totally honest                                                 31% Fib a little                                                       26% Flat-out lie                                                      22% Total … Continue reading

Posted in Data and Studies on Ethics | Leave a comment

New laws — as of 2011

There are some new laws that took effect January 1, 2011  — 31,500 to be exact.  Here are a few highlights from around the country: Connecticut now imposes an $11,000 fine against companies that violate consumers who are registered on … Continue reading

Posted in For the legal side | Leave a comment