Trust is the foundation of Netcetera’s success

"A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world." - Albert Camus.

Interview with Stefano Borioli, Head of Compliance and Risk Management at Netcetera, speaking on the importance of ethical behavior. Global Ethics Day aims to encourage individuals and organizations to explore the role of ethics in their lives and communities. Sometimes, it can be only a regional or organizational initiative rather than a global observance; however, it has a global importance.

 

How do you relate the Global Ethics Day and its significance for Netcetera?

Global Ethics Day, observed on the third Wednesday of October, reminds us of our commitment to ethical practices. It’s not just a day on the calendar; it’s an opportunity to reflect on and reinforce our ethical standards across all levels of our organization and with all our stakeholders.

To innovate and be sustainable, we have to first be ethical. Since we are dedicated to promoting and integrating sustainability in all of our operations, we encourage an ongoing commitment to ethical practices and serving and caring for our clients, partners, and people daily.

 

How do you actively promote ethical behavior in Netcetera?
Ethics is a fundamental part of our ESG strategy. Our Netcetera Code of Conduct serves as a cornerstone, providing basic rules for our daily work and clear guidelines for ethical decision-making. We also conduct regular employee ethics training and have a Whistleblowing system to report concerns and misconduct. Additionally, we’ve integrated ethical considerations into our decision-making processes, for example by having an Ethics Commission to be consulted on business topics with challenging or unclear ethical aspects.

 

What message do you have for our employees regarding ethics in their daily work?

Ethics isn’t just about following rules; it’s about making the right choices and acting accordingly. I encourage every employee to pause and consider the ethical implications of their decisions. If unsure, don’t hesitate to contact your colleague, manager, or the compliance team. Remember, ethical behavior builds trust, and trust is the foundation of Netcetera’ s success.

How do our ethical practices extend to our relationships with external stakeholders?

Our commitment to ethics doesn’t stop at our office doors. We ask our suppliers, partners, and contractors for the same high standards. We’ve implemented a rigorous Risk Assessment for new partnerships and regularly audit existing ones to ensure alignment with our standards. Transparency in our operations and communications is key to maintaining trust with our stakeholders.

 

Are there any new ethical initiatives or challenges you’d like to highlight?

Leading by example and fostering an ethical culture starts from the top. We’re launching various initiatives for our Board of Directors and Management team, focusing on this topic.

The rapid pace of technological advancement currently presents new ethical challenges, particularly in AI implementation and Data Privacy. We’re looking deeply at those topics and developing guidelines to address these emerging issues.

Remember, ethics isn’t a one-day affair. Let’s use Global Ethics Day to strengthen our ethical foundation throughout the year. Together, we can build a company culture where integrity, sustainability, and innovation go hand in hand for a brighter future.

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