Ethics vocabulary and modal verbs
English for Professional Purposes
Vocabulary
Provide definitions of each of the following terms, which are relevant to discussing culture and ethics in business.
Integrity
Transparency
Accountability
Fairness
Compliance
Sustainability
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Conflict of interest
Bribery
Corruption
Insider trading
Whistleblower
Stakeholders
Ethical dilemma
Code of ethics
Ethical leadership
Corporate culture
Due diligence
Risk assessment
Mitigation
Modal verbs for Ethics
For each of the following scenarios, write a sentence conveying advice, using a suitable modal verb.
Maya’s company is about to launch, but she just discovered a key supplier engages in environmentally harmful practices. Advise Maya on what she absolutely needs to do.
Maya’s investors value ethical practices, but are hesitant about the higher costs fair-trade sourcing demands. Advise Maya on a potential course of action.
Maya wants to prioritise local suppliers, but finds their selection limited. Offer a possible solution that isn’t a strong imperative.
Maya finds smaller ethical farms, but to remain competitive, she’d have to slightly increase prices. Advise her on a crucial step to take.
Maya receives a credible tip about bribery within her supply chain. Advise her on the immediate step she needs to take.
Maya struggles to balance her ethical goals with the financial realities of the business. Advise her on a way to move forward that involves her team.
Maya’s approached by a large competitor interested in buying Origin Grounds. They have a mixed record on ethics. Advise her on what factors she needs to consider before making a decision.
Maya feels her ethical sourcing puts her at a disadvantage compared to less scrupulous competitors. Advise her on a less direct way she might address this.
Maya’s learned a lot about ethics in business through trial and error. Offer her a guiding principle for future decision-making.
Maya notices that her café generates a lot of food waste. She’s interested in making changes but doesn’t know where to start. Suggest a first step without making it seem too daunting.
After some research, Maya realises one of her past suppliers might have had questionable labour practices. While she can’t change the past, advise her on a potential course of action in the present.
Maya wants customers to understand her ethical commitment extends beyond marketing. Advise her on a concrete way to demonstrate this transparency.
Maya feels her focus on sustainability is a strength, but struggles to communicate this effectively to her customers. Advise her on a way to highlight this aspect of her business.
Things are going well for Maya, but she worries about potential ethical pitfalls as the business grows. Advise her on proactive steps to take to stay on track.
A customer accuses Maya of her ethical focus just being a way to charge more. Advise her on how to respond in a constructive and respectful way.