New training DVD helps British companies create anti-bribery culture

LONDON - July 1, 2013 - PRLog -- A new DVD training resource, designed to help British companies create an anti-bribery culture, is now available from learning content specialist Video Arts.

Called 'Ethical and Effective', the new resource offers guiding principles and procedures to help individual managers comply with the UK’s Bribery Act and respond appropriately to the ethical dilemmas and challenges that can arise when expanding internationally or working with partners overseas.

“If your company operates overseas, or plans to, you need to create an anti-bribery culture because unethical business practices pose a considerable threat to your reputation,” said Steve Webster, head of sales at Video Arts. “The UK has the most stringent bribery laws in the world, so sometimes what others call ‘doing business’ would actually be seen as a bribe in this country. This training resource can help all of your managers to understand and operate within the law, whether they are involved in purchasing, contracting, distribution or marketing.”

The 'Ethical and Effective' DVD features a video case study showing a senior manager in a fictional company working with an international partner. When important ethical considerations, covered in the Bribery Act, arise - including the issues of giving gifts and making ‘facilitation payments’ to ‘fast track’ administrative processes or resolve ‘technical issues’ - the manager faces a series of dilemmas. Trainers can lead group discussions about how the manager should proceed. The DVD then shows the consequences of making ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ decisions.

“The drama scenarios are engaging and they put you under the spotlight so you have to decide what to do next,” said Steve Webster. “The different scenarios illustrate unethical behaviour as well as behaviour which is ethical but ineffective and also behaviour which is both ethical and effective.”

Under the Bribery Act, which came into force in July 2011, individual managers can now be held personally accountable for offering, authorising or accepting bribes. The penalty can include a prison term. Companies convicted of unethical business practice risk prosecutions and fines, as well damage to their reputation.

“The issue of ethics is not simply about complying with the law, it is about being sensitive to personal and cultural issues and making the right decisions,” said Steve Webster. “An individual may know the difference between what’s right and wrong but it takes courage to follow through on this, especially if they have a strong desire to close a deal or succeed. In any ethical dilemma, you have to assess the situation, exercise good judgement and maintain your integrity. This resource shows you how to do that.”

Created by Principled Business, a specialist in ethics training and consultancy, the 'Ethical and Effective' DVD resource is available for annual rental for £995. It includes a facilitator’s pack and materials that will enable companies to create their own training course - including their own bribery prevention policies and procedures - around the DVD content. An e-learning version of Ethical and Effective is currently in development.

For further information, please contact Video Arts via www.videoarts.com or call +44 (0) 20 7400 4800.

Background notes: Founded in 1972, Video Arts is the world’s leading provider of video-based learning. It delivers management and soft-skills training, via e-learning, mobile learning and training videos, in 40 languages to clients in 50 countries. The company has won over 200 awards for its learning content and is now part of the Tinopolis Group.