Program I: "Business Ethics and Globalization: How can we best serve the interest of both?"

Speakers: Kevin Gibson, Associate Professor, Marquette University & Stephen Liccione, Director, Corporate Compliance, Johnson Controls

Program I will explore the dynamic nature of business ethics in the era of globalization where jobs can be outsourced, products are made of components from scores of countries and sweatshops often provide the cheap goods the public demands.  We will take an in-depth look at the relationship between ethics and the globalization, and how we can best serve the interests of both.  Some of the topics covered will be the following:

• Risk assessment 101 for businesses
• Tone at the Top isn't Enough - Mood in the Middle matters
• Global bribery prohibitions and the high costs of (large and small) bribes
• How do I know what gifts are acceptable to give?
• Dealing with officials in other countries
• Conducting due diligence to identify and address regulatory risks (i.e. bribery, prohibited foreign trade, etc.)
• The Importance of Being Audited

We will look at how a philosophical groundwork can be applied to a wide range of issues in ethics and business, and discuss how to assess dilemmas critically and work to resolve them on a principled basis. Using case studies drawn from around the world, we will examine topics including stakeholder responsibilities, sustainability, corporate social responsibility.

Our two speakers, Kevin Gibson, Associate Professor, Marquette University and Steve Liccione, Director, Corporate Compliance, Johnson Controls, have an in-depth knowledge of Business Ethics from an academic, legal and corporate perspective and will share with you the challenges they have seen in our global workplace.

Program II / Dinner Speaker: "Expanding a Global Business into Southeast Asia"

Steve Rettler, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development for A.O. Smith Corporation, plans to share the story of how A. O. Smith became the #1 water heater brand in China, as well as how the company applied the lessons learned in China to their most recent expansion in India.

To read more about MWTA's October speakers, click on the name below.

Kevin Gibson, Marquette University, Associate Professor

Steve Liccione, Director, Corporate Compliance at Johnson Controls

Steve Rettler, Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, A.O. Smith Corporation