Code of ethics

The manager plays a key role in the success and development of the company and the country. This is particularly true in cases where the state's intervention in companies is declining. In such cases, the actions of the manager, particularly those in the most responsible positions, such as general managers, is of crucial importance. The post must, therefore, be performed responsibly and in line with ethical principles. Respecting these principles leads towards greater humanity and successful management and, above all, towards the creation of a common business culture among the members.

This Code of Ethics will make our day-to-day decision-making more reliable and enable us to distinguish more easily between various (sometimes imaginary) contradictions, such as profits and wages, manufacturing and friendly environment, employment and productivity.

The Code has been compiled for profit-making organisations. However, it may also be used by other organisations. The Code comprises 12 ethical principles for management.

All our efforts are directed towards the continuance of prosperity, not merely for the advantage of employees but for all those whose material position depends on the operations of our company.

Prosperity shall be understood to mean an abundance of material goods which, in the long term, provide the opportunity for an improved quality of life.

The continuance of prosperity requires profit. This means giving today in order to see a better tomorrow.

We shall, therefore, strive not only to create profits, but also to utilise these profits in such a manner that will truly perpetuate prosperity.

In the search for profit, we shall strive to achieve a balance between present and future prosperity. In this endeavour, we consider that there can be no prosperity without profits, and no profits without prosperity. Thus, we shall not attempt to create profits at the expense of discontented associates, discontented clients, or discontented shareholders. We also believe that today's prosperity must not be created at the expense of tomorrow's.

Just as we believe that profits are necessary for the creation of prosperity, we also hold the view that prosperity can be achieved without money, namely, with non-material goods, such as friendly inter- personal relations, satisfaction with work, and so on.

We shall strive for greater freedoms in pursuing the interests of the company and simultaneously consider the interests of the state and other affected parties, whilst respecting the agreed "rules of the game".

In asserting our interests, we shall not limit or stifle the interests of others.

We shall strive to create an economic order in which the state is able to foster favourable conditions for the healthy and consistent development of an entrepreneurial spirit, whilst at the same time allowing companies to operate independently within the scope of the rules.

We shall strive to ensure that the state does not impose, but rather harmonises its interests with the corporate sector.

We shall strive for freedom and order within the state and economy.

We represent the view that the state should pursue the healthy and consistent natural development of enterprise by fostering a spirit of competitiveness. The struggle for survival under conditions of domestic and foreign competition should direct enterprise towards success.

We shall strive to ensure that the companies we manage shall be capable of surviving international competition and that Slovenia joins the European Union.

We shall strive to ensure that the company plays as beneficial a role as possible on the market.

It is our duty to define a role for our company that will be comprehensible and beneficial to the market and, in accordance with that role, to set measurable objectives, which we shall harmonise responsibly with other affected parties, and attempt to realise them consistently.

We shall create such a role of our company that will enable to exploit its advantages to the full as well as opportunities on the domestic and foreign markets.

We shall continually monitor all events in our business environment and adapt the role and goals of our company accordingly.

We shall foster conditions conducive to securing our own innovations as well as enabling us to apply the innovations of others more rapidly.

We shall strive to improve our own capabilities and qualifications. We shall therefore monitor all novelties and care for our health.

We understand that management as a profession requires special expert knowledge. We shall therefore continue to educate ourselves and exchange experience with others.

We understand management to be a cultural, inter-personal entity.

We realise that the success of our work also depends on our well-being. We shall therefore provide for adequate rest and relaxation and sufficient time for socialising and friends.

We shall strive to understand the needs of consumers, to direct them towards positive and human goals and ensure their satisfaction with competitive prices.

We shall strive for the sale of safe, harmless and useful products. In trying to encourage sales, we shall not mislead the consumer or otherwise endanger their health.

We shall strive to ensure that our associates develop into pleasant personalities who are satisfied to be working in our company. We shall consider that there can be no efficiency without humanity and no humanity without efficiency.

We shall respect and regard the people under our management as human beings and associates.

We shall not understand this first managerial code of ethics in Slovenia as a right to do as we wish with other people, within the extent of the law.

We shall ensure that each associate receives a clearly defined role that is compatible with their knowledge and capabilities, and a useful role in the company, as well as a measure of independence in realising goals.

We shall strive to plan the personal development of our associates and make provisions for their continual training. We shall help them realise their personal development, as agreed.

We shall promptly inform all our associates of relevant matters with regard to their duties and position in the company.

We shall strive to create a more pleasant working environment that will not be detrimental to health.

We shall assist our associates materially and advise them in the event of an accident.

We shall strive to protect the interests of the shareholders, regardless of the type of their assets.

Their interests shall be harmonised with the interests of the employees and other affected parties.

We shall strive to understand to the fullest extent possible the interests of the shareholders and to harmonise them with the long-term interests of other affected parties and make them the goals of the company.

We shall consider that in order to achieve lasting profits, the company must operate in accordance with the interests of the shareholders and other affected parties, and that these interests must be harmonised. Our basic duty is therefore to harmonise the interests of all and not merely to represent the interests of the shareholder. This will be in the long-term interests of the shareholders.

We shall strive to remain independent in realising our goals. Our duties and responsibilities will be clearly defined.

We shall strive to create such a profit that will award the shareholders for their investment risks and encourage them to make further investments.

We shall strive to create conditions that will attract foreign investment in our company.

We shall create a partnership with our clients and suppliers that will be based on mutual trust.

Mutual trust shall be built by consistently fulfilling all that has been agreed upon. Quality, delivery on time, fair prices and services are the basis for good mutual relations.

We shall enter into contracts under conditions that we are able to fulfil and in accordance with good business practice.

We shall promptly inform our suppliers and clients of those plans concerning our future co-operation.

We shall be fair to our competition, meaning that we shall follow all regulations, business practices and business morals that determine the "rules of the game".

We shall participate in making the "rules of the game" with regard to competition. We shall not hinder the state in its prevention of monopolies. We shall protect trade secrets from competition.

We shall not attempt to achieve advantages over the competition through cheating or other immoral methods.

Members of the Association Manager shall be mutually sympathetic and ensure mutual assistance and support in implementing and protecting their rights and interests, in accordance with the acts of the Managers' Association of Slovenia.

We realise that we are a constituent part of the public. We shall therefore devote some of our time to public work.

We shall keep the public promptly informed.

We shall harmonise the interests of the company with the interest of the public, nation and state.

We shall voluntarily assume public, and especially humanitarian functions.

We shall strive for an environment that is friendly to human kind and other creatures.

We shall strive to prevent the pollution of the environment with products, waste materials, packaging and so on.

We aim to reduce harmful emissions and waste.

We shall use raw materials and energy sparingly and thus lessen the encroachment of nature necessary for their procurement.