Introduction
The film, The Secrets of my Success, is a viewed as a comedy that presents a young and determined business man who continues his business ambitions by strategizing on business oriented plans that consequently brings his company into a better position and outweighing the competitors. By just reading an email that passed through his hands, Fox devises a defined and brilliant project of streaming his uncle’s multinational corporation. The film presents the ladders that brilliant business individuals should undertake in moving a company to better heights. However, one can clearly see the integration of personal issues in business where Britney interacts sexually with a fellow financial worker, but latter we find the combination move the company to better position in the world market.
There are several ethical issues presented in the film and this paper aims at analyzing these issues with respect to the society’s view of business ethics as presented in the film, The Secrets of my Success. The paper targets at redefining the important of business to the society, and the moral and ethical issues that business should consider in creating a good and lasting rapport with the society, thereby strengthening the business reputation.
Business Ethics and Ethical Issues Presented in the Film
The success in any business organization is determined by the efforts, skills and the managerial knowledge owned by the managers, decision makers and other parties involved in the organization’s practices and operations. The society’s perception and view towards an organization also determines the proficiency of the organization with respect to the ethical issues and the way they are presented by the organization towards the customers, suppliers and the general community (Friedman, 1970). It has been proven that good working with the community and creation of a defined and appropriate reputation with the society aids immensely in determination of the perception that the society has towards an organization and consequently the growth and expansion of the firm (Kingsolver, 2008).
The managers and the stakeholders of Business Corporation need to understand the moral and ethical issues that affect the organization and those issues which might tarnish the company’s reputation. These issues range from business language used in the organization, the moral factors with inclusion of the dressing code, inter-workers relationship, the communication forms and medium employed in the organization to customer-workers relationships (Roger, 1987). As evident in the film, poor relationship and interactions between the workers and workers, managers and directors and staff and workers contribute to ineffectiveness of operations and this brings the organization performance down.
It is the obligation of the stakeholders, managers and directors of an organization to ensure that business ethics and moral values have been integrated in business and well managed to ensure confidentiality and reliability of the products and services offered by the organization are gained by the society. Below is an unfathomable and profound interpretation of the film, The Secrets of my Success with consideration of the moral and business ethics exhibited in the film (Roger, 1987).
The language and communication skills employed in the organization presented in the film are initially poor and this had led to the unacceptable performances in the operations of the corporation. This is evident from the ranking and the managerial strategy used in the company, which indicated that there was a stiff communication barrier between the top managers and the junior of the firm (Roger, 1987). The interactions between the workers and the managers and directors were at the minimum level, and this prevented smooth flow of ideas and changes within the company. To my understanding on the business language, there should be open communication in an organization to allow effective flow of information and business ideas, as this consequently improves and maintains the performance of the company higher than that of the competitors.
The moral quality exhibited in the movie is low, considering the fact that the executives kept personal issues in business as we find Brantley and Prescott engaging into sexual relationship with another worker, Christy which initially lowers the innovative ability of Brantley after realization that he could not beat Prescott over Christy. In addition, Brantley had used another approach of spying another employee (to whom he had assumed his responsibilities) in attempt to win Christy back (Roger, 1987).
Christy on the other hand is evident to seduce Brantley which is immoral considering the fact that they work in the same organization, and they may end up bringing the personal and family issues into business and in return, this pulls the performance of the company down. To my point of view, it is an ethical and immoral in business organization to include relatives in management and in executive body as they make almost similar decisions or some ends up agreeing on some decision, not that they are appropriate or beneficial to the company but because of the individuals who have made the suggestions and the fear of the unknown (Roger, 1987). Honestly, none of the characters in the movie has moral or professional dignity. However, at the end of the movie, we find the combined efforts and ideas of Brantley and Christy work effectively both in personal being and professional sector.
Though we find the movie having less moral and less business ethics considerations, there are some great lessons that we gain from the main character, Brantley. These lessons are beneficial to any business individual who may want to improve the performance of their respective organization (Roger, 1987). Regardless of the funny part evident in the movie, Brantley enables one to understand the following.
- An intelligent manager should always have a “Plan B” in business as he demonstrates when he missed the job he was called upon in New York through horrible takeover. He takes an alternative strategy, which is long-term as by the end of the movie, Brantley is not only rich but has great business ideas that enable him to take the corporation from Prescott and wrest another corporation (Roger, 1987).
- A brilliant business man/lady should demonstrate self-confidence- According to his statements when seeking for a job, Brantley convinces the recruiters that he has the ability and capability of accomplishing anything if offered an opportunity or a chance to do it. He also convinces his distant uncle to secure him a job and he achieves this by making him remember his life as a beginner in the career (Roger, 1987). With the mind that we come from nothing to something, his uncle is convinced and offers Brantley a job in his firm and this consequently enables him realize his potential in business (Joanne, Clancy & Robert, 2008). This directs connects to moral responsiveness as understanding and sympathy are evident in the relationship between the uncle and the nephew.
- One needs to be aware of the unwritten rules. According to the co-worker who was training Brantley, such a junior worker like him was not required to speak to the “suits” unless they spoke first but such a statement is never found in the employee handbook. Thus, every employee needs somebody who can train them on the unwritten codes of conduct and the traditions of an organization to ensure ethical and moral values are sustained in an organization (Thomas & Patricia, 2010).
- Answer the phone when it rings- We find Brantley answering a call in an empty office and he secured himself a job with another identity. A better job to be precise. This is an indication that you should not ignore a phone call as we never know what lies on the other end of the phone.
- Always have a mentor- The relationship between Brantley and his Aunt Vera creates a good opening for Brantley’s career as his aunt realizes of the potential and his business savvy. She helps him with financial power which in return, he utilizes accordingly and wisely to build his business foundation and a move in his career. It is thus ethical to have a mentor who is ready to help and correct when one is misguided (Pinnington & Lafferty, 2002).
We also find a range of ethical qualities presented in the film with inclusion of honesty whereby Brantley is honest with his Aunt and this greatly promotes his career and financial position in the business world. Respect and dignity are not well practiced in the film as we find the relationship between Brantley and his Aunt Vela not as expected as they engaged in a more than aunt-nephew relationship. We also find sexual relationships between a several workers within the company which is unethical and lowers the dignity of an individual both as a person and professionally (Roger, 1987). Confidentiality is preserved in the organization presented in the film as we find a poetic justice scenario at the end of the movie where Brantley and his financial brokers owns the company, an indication that there had been secret operations taking place.
Conclusion
In the main, the film brings one to the world of business and allows one to understand the moral, language and ethical issues that need to be considered to improve the functioning of an organization. One is also subjected to the immoral and unethical practices that should not be integrated in business operations as it tarnishes the company’s reputation as well as personal and professional dignity. A dream can always come if worked upon and one dedicates his conscious and potential into meeting the dream. This is showed in the film, The Secrets of my Success, from the character Brantley who is dedicated and determined to achieve his business dream regardless of the means that he takes. However, it is always advisable to observe the moral and ethical issues involved in business to buy the confidentiality and trust from the society and the larger business community.
References
Friedman, M. (1970). "The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits". The New York Times Magazine.
Kingsolver, A. (2008). Capitalism. Encyclopedia of Race and Racism. Melbourne: Oxford University Press
Pinnington, A. H. & Lafferty, G. (2002). Human Resource Management in Australia. Melbourne: Oxford University Press
Thomas, D. & Patricia, W. (2010). Ethical Issues in Business: A Philosophical Approach. New York: Wiley & Sons
Joanne, C., Clancy, M. & Robert, S. (2008). Honest Work: A Business Ethics Reader. Oxford: Oxford University Press
Roger E. (1987). The Secret of My Success. Retrieved on 23rd January 2013 from: http://www.fernbyfilms.com/2012/05/31/movie-review-the-secret-of-my-success/
