It may seem elementary, but tough times are a reminder to take a fresh look at the basic traits vital to success in business (and life).

Work is defined as physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something; the means by which one earns one’s livelihood, a trade, craft, business or profession Work is an action verb. It means to be doing, making or performing. There is an expected result of the work activity in which we engage.

Ethic or ethics means any set of moral principles or values; also rules or standards governing the conduct of the members of a profession. Ethics, then, are the moral quality of a course of action. Ethics are a standard of expected conduct.

So a work ethic describes the standard of behavior in the workplace, but certainly can be extended to anything in life that requires the doing, making or performing of something. Work ethic can be applied to the boss or the employee.

Back to business basics:

• Attendance – This one is about as basic as you can get. Show up whether it’s physically or virtually, whether it’s a set or fluid time schedule. In the case of a sole proprietor, attendance is even more crucial because if you don’t show up to make your business happen, who will?
• Character – I’ve talked a lot about character in previous blogs so I won’t elaborate here. It goes without saying that how you perceive tough economic times will influence whether you pass, fail or excel in the months ahead. Are you seen as a person of character in your dealings with your colleagues, employees and customers?
• Communication – A plethora of books, articles, teaching manuals, DVD’s, etc have been developed on effective verbal and nonverbal communication. Do your communications skills need a tune-up? Does your communication style effectively display your leadership abilities? If need be, get thee to a bookstore or a seminar or whatever it takes to brush up. How can you be sure if you are an effective communicator? Ask your colleagues, employees or significant other.
• Respect – Blues queen, Aretha Franklin, once sang a song about respect. Rodney Dangerfield bemoaned the fact that he couldn’t get any. People listen to people they respect. Are you respect-worthy? Do you treat others with respect? Do you respect yourself and your ability to rise above tough economic times?
• Teamwork – Again, I have already addressed teamwork but remember that a strong team multiples your effectiveness. That team could be your company’s workforce or that team could be your personal board of directors. What are you doing to keep your team dynamically engaged in your business?

This is just a refresher course. Authors far more knowledgeable than I am have written thousands of words about work ethic. The important thing is to take a fresh look at your work ethic and see if it has the staying power to get you through, and even excel, in tough economic times.

Tough Times Call For will be continued in my December 2008 newsletter. It’s free, all you have to do to receive it is sign up! Thanks to Alice Arredondo from the Department of Economic Security who penned an article in the Arizona Republic on work ethic and from whom I received inspiration for today’s blog.