I made the comment the other day:

http://www.theeroticreview.com/discussion_boards/viewmsg.asp?MessageID=188895&boardID=6&page=1

Moethebully in response said:

Something I learned a long time ago:

                   “People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world
                                   is also a confession of character.”

(Ralph Waldo Emerson)

One of the concepts drilled into me by more than one business professor is the notion that morality and business ethics have nothing to do with each other. You can be a person of ethics in an immoral business just as easily as you can be an immoral person in an ethical business. Only someone who is an absolute thinker would see the two as mutually exclusive when, in reasonable reality, they are not.

I have always found it amusing when a woman runs an agency, she's a madam yet, when it's a man, he's a pimp. We can bandy around textbook definitions of words or, we can deal with the real ideas behind them.

By functional classification, agencies and true pimps are not in the same universe. Granted, in every barrel, you can always point to a couple of bad apples but, it doesn't change the fundamental precept that one is an apple and the other is an orange.

A well run agency doesn't trap, coerce, or recruit women from bus stations or other places I can't mention. There is only one way to end up on our team: you must apply. Even then, only 1.5 % of all my applicants even make it to an interview. Less than that go through training. If an applicant lies, fails a background check, or are simply desperate for money, I won't work with them. Desperate people make poor decisions and that puts everyone at risk.

You state that you "find it hard to believe that" I, as an agency owner, would be primarily concerned with an applicant's character. I accept your disbelief. Let's be clear here; your assumption has everything to do with YOUR model of the world, not mine.

Our business model is about the "total package" woman .The women I work with are the kind of women you *can* take home to the family. 75% of them have degrees, or are currently working on one, or have run their own businesses. For us, it is a three part equation of mind, body, and spirit.

If an associate has no character then, everything is about her and she cannot be spiritually trusted and because of that, she can't be trusted within my business. There is NO WAY IN HELL I'm going to expose my clients to a person that isn't trustworthy. I have a commitment to protect them as well as my associates. Just as I can guarantee certain conditions for my associates, I can assure clients that their privacy is paramount and I will go through great lengths to make sure that it is respected and kept.  

Your supposition is that this business is all about one thing and for some providers, your view would apply. However, for many other women, your absolute assertion would be considered crass, degrading, and very myopic.
This is a business. Any smart agency owner or independent would establish the social class they want to function in, the kind of service they offer, and the baseline personality types they want as clients before they go after their specific target audience. Granted, not all of us put that much time and thought into it, but there are those of us who do.

Simply put: professionalism; there are those who have it and many who don't.

While I'm on the subject, my associates stay because they understand what we're about and like the conditions we create. If an associate of ours wanted to become an independent and walked out the door the right way (without drama, stealing, etc), she'd get the full support and might of our network. All of my women know this.

The presumption of exploitation is ridiculous at best. However, don't just take my word for it; ask them yourself face-to-face.


Lee Dreams

Edamus, bibamus, gaudeamus.

Business Ethics 101  Everyone(Providers and Hobbyists should read this detailed response)

After reading your response to "moethebullly" and your previous post on the premium you place on the charactor of your applicants and staff I have to say that I'm impressed with your outlook on life. I've found that the biggest blocks to progress is having a zero sum attitude. If a person is of the opinion that someone is out to get over on them, then they will never come to trust or work well with anyone.  I see this every day in the plant where I work where one department will work against another to the detriment of the smooth operation of the plant.  Frankly there is alot that managers in legitimate businesses could learn from you.

Forgive an interloper from Georgia, but I had to comment on your response. It was splendid. I have only one thing to add. What is the difference in ethics and morals? A wise man once told me that an ethical man knows it is wrong to steal. A moral man will not steal.

Jim

You are always articulate and insightful, however, this has to be one of the best posts of the year!  You have captured the essence of excelence in this business and not let it be overlooked !  Often times, I am afraid it is.  Though of us who make it this far, conduct ourselves this way, may not be moral, in some peoples eyes, I am always ethical!  Thanks, Lee!

This is the most amazing quote I have seen in quite a while.
"Let's be clear here; your assumption has everything to do with YOUR model of the world, not mine. "

Simple, clear, and universally true and applicable to EVERYTHING.

END OF MESSAGE

Thank you  all,  for taking the time to read it and respond.


Sincerely,

Lee Dreams

Edamus, bibamus, gaudeamus.