Welcome to Episode 92 of the #Add A Zero Podcast, presented by Jay Allen and brought to you in association with My TrueNORTH, the UK’s leading ethical coaching company. In this thought-provoking episode, Jay dives deep into a subject critical to every business—ethics. Do ethics truly matter in business, or are they just buzzwords thrown around in mission statements and sales pitches? Join us as we challenge assumptions and explore a powerful real-world example that shows exactly why ethics can mean the difference between life and death—not just for public image, but literally.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why ethics, culture, and standards should be in place from day one

• The risks of neglecting business values and code of conduct

• A real-life (though anonymized) case study showing the tragic impact of unchecked unethical practices

• The importance of validation and accountability in business procedures

• How My TrueNORTH leads by example in the realm of business ethics

• Practical takeaways for business owners wanting to ensure authenticity and ethical standards from the ground up

Episode Overview

Most business owners assume that ethics, culture, and codes of conduct are things you deal with after you’ve grown—something to install “when you get to X size.” But as Jay Allen shares, this mindset is dangerously flawed. Using the fictional company “LearnCo” as a stand-in for a real company, Jay tells the story of how prioritizing metrics and rapid growth over genuine ethical standards can have catastrophic consequences.

LearnCo positioned itself as an innovative online training platform, offering businesses like Costa Coffee a one-stop solution for staff development and onboarding. With impressive metrics at their fingertips and promises of seamless reporting, companies flocked to LearnCo’s platform. But when a barista’s lack of adequate training led to a fatal error—a child’s tragic allergic reaction—the very foundation of half-measures, unchecked boxes, and lack of validation exposed the immense risks of ethical negligence.

Why Listen to This Episode?

• Real-World Lessons: This episode isn’t theoretical. Jay’s storytelling makes the cost of ethics failure painfully clear—reminding us all what’s truly at stake.

• Inspiration from the Experts: Learn how My TrueNORTH was recognized for its unwavering ethical stand, and how you can apply these learnings to your own business.

• Actionable Takeaways: Whether you’re a solopreneur or a CEO, you’ll walk away with concrete questions and challenges to raise your own standards.

Who Should Listen?

• Business owners and entrepreneurs serious about building scalable and sustainable companies

• HR professionals and training officers responsible for employee development and onboarding

• Board members and C-Suite leaders concerned with reputational risk and organizational resilience

• Anyone interested in the intersection of business growth, ethics, and real-world impact

• Suppliers, partners, and procurement professionals looking to validate claims of authenticity and ethical practice

Listener Challenge

As you finish this episode, ask yourself:

• Are you living up to the ethics and standards your brand claims?

• How do you verify your suppliers’ and partners’ claims of authenticity?

• Are you validating more than “box-ticking” performance metrics?

Email your thoughts, stories, and questions to podcast@mytruenorth.biz – Jay and the team welcome your feedback and real-world challenges.