Panoton Code Of Professional Conduct
Members of The Panoton Academy have pledged to uphold, promote, and uncompromisingly adhere to the standards set forth in The Panoton Academy's Code of Professional Conduct. As such, The Panoton Academy represents some of the most responsible and competent entrepreneurs in the world.
– an Academy of entrepreneurs?
The Panoton Academy exists functionally as a home for the Panoton Code of Professional Conduct and symbolically as public recognition of individuals who represent the highest standards of professionalism and competence. Membership is voluntary. To join, An Entrepreneur need only read, consider, agree, and publicly pledge his or her promise to conform in every respect to the Panoton Code.
As an effort toward improved professionalism, we urge service organizations to adopt this Panoton Code without substantive alteration.
The Panoton Code
– of Professional Conduct
The Panoton Code of Professional Conduct is an effort to address the many moral and rational inadequacies of general practices found in the service provider world. The Panoton Academy’s Code of Professional Conduct is uncompromised by immoral ideals, irrational requirements, and irrelevant nods toward social activism; all of which compromise or distract from professionalism.
The Panoton Code draws from similar codes by the American Bar Association, AIGA, The American Institute of Architects, and others.
Membership
– is voluntary, and a privilege
Panoton Academy membership is maintained through consistent individual behavior in meeting the obligations defined in the Panoton Code. As there is no governing body for the entrepreneurs, a member’s standing is measured by their integrity, as clear to all with whom they work.
To join the Academy is to willingly invite scrutiny, to assume the onus of significant and codified obligation, and to be held to account by peers, colleagues, and clients.
PREFACE
Professionalism.
Integrity.
Competence.
Entrepreneurs have certain fundamental obligations to society, to clients, to the profession, and to peers and colleagues. The Panoton Code of Professional Conduct states guidelines and rules for the conduct of entrepreneurs in fulfilling those obligations. The Panoton Code is arranged in three tiers of statements: Precepts, Ethical Standards, and Rules of Conduct.
- Precepts are broad principles of conduct.
- Ethical Standards are more specific goals to which entrepreneurs should aspire in professional performance and behavior.
- Rules of Conduct (Rule) are mandatory; violation of a Rule is grounds for dismissal from The Academy. Rules, in some instances, implement more than one precept or ethical standard.
The Panoton Code applies to the professional activities of all categories of entrepreneurs, across the many industry disciplines. Membership in The Panoton Academy is voluntary. By accepting membership, An Entrepreneur assumes an obligation of self-discipline above and beyond the requirements of laws and regulations.
Compliance with the Panoton Code, as with all laws and rules in an open society, depends primarily upon understanding and voluntary compliance, secondarily upon reinforcement by peer and public scrutiny, and finally, when necessary, upon enforcement through disciplinary action against members who fail to comply with the Rules. The Panoton Code does not, however, exhaust the moral and ethical considerations that should inform An Entrepreneur, for no worthwhile human activity can be completely defined by-laws or rules. Even so, the Panoton Code is wholly concerned with ethical constraints for professionalism; the Rules are not compromised by elements concerning social agendas or activism, but simply provide a moral and rational framework for the ethical practice professional service.
Where it appears, the commentary is meant to clarify or elaborate the intent of a rule. The commentary is not part of the Panoton Code and is included to assist those seeking to conform their conduct to the Panoton Code.
This Code is intended to promote the highest quality of practice in all forms of service and to strengthen public confidence in the profession. Toward that end, The Panoton Academy sets forth the following.
SECTION 1
GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
PRECEPT: Entrepreneurs should maintain and advance their knowledge of the art, craft, and science of IT support, respect the body of professional service provider accomplishment, and contribute to its growth. Entrepreneurs should exercise learned and uncompromised professional judgment over any other motive in the pursuit of the art, craft, and science of IT support, even at the expense of personal advantage.
Ethical Standard 1.1
KNOWLEDGE & SKILL
Entrepreneurs should strive to improve their professional and technical knowledge and skill.
“Rule 1.11”
In practicing the service, entrepreneurs shall demonstrate a consistent pattern of reasonable care and competence and shall, at minimum, apply the professional and technical knowledge and skill which is ordinarily applied by entrepreneurs of good standing practicing in the same locality.
Ethical Standard 1.2
STANDARDS & EXCELLENCE
Entrepreneurs should continually seek to raise the standards of technical and functional excellence, education, research, training, practice, and professional excellence.
Ethical Standard 1.3
HUMAN RIGHTS
Entrepreneurs should uphold human rights in all their professional endeavors.
“Rule 1.31”
An Entrepreneur shall refuse to engage in or support discrimination against individuals on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.
Ethical Standard 1.4
PROMOTION OF entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurs should promote the profession and contribute to the knowledge and capability of the entrepreneurs as a whole.
SECTION 2
OBLIGATIONS TO THE PUBLIC
PRECEPT: Entrepreneurs should embrace the spirit and letter of the law governing their professional affairs and should promote and serve the public interest in their professional activities.
Ethical Standard 2.1
CONDUCT
Entrepreneurs should uphold the law in the conduct of their professional activities.
“Rule 2.11”
Entrepreneurs shall not, in the conduct of their professional practice, knowingly or unknowingly violate the law.
Commentary: As ignorance of the law offers no mitigation of offense or punishment under the law. Therefore, ignorance offers no mitigation of this rule.
“Rule 2.12”
An Entrepreneur shall neither offer nor make any payment or gift to a public official with the intent of influencing the official’s judgment in connection with an existing or prospective project in which the professional service provider is interested.
Commentary: This rule does not prohibit campaign contributions made in conformity with applicable campaign financing laws
“Rule 2.13”
An Entrepreneur serving in a public capacity shall not accept payments or gifts which are intended to influence their judgment.
“Rule 2.14”
An Entrepreneur shall not knowingly engage in work where the aim or result is misleading, deceptive, or false by intent or substance.
“Rule 2.15”
An Entrepreneur shall not engage in conduct involving fraud or wanton disregard of the rights of others.
Commentary: This rule addresses serious misconduct whether or not related to An Entrepreneur’s professional practice.
“Rule 2.16”
If, in the course of their work on a project, An Entrepreneur becomes aware of a decision exercised or prescribed by their employer or client which is fraudulent or violates any law or regulation, the professional service provider shall: (1) advise their employer or client against the decision, (2) refuse to consent to the decision, and (3) report the decision to the appropriate authority, unless the professional service provider is able to cause the matter to be satisfactorily resolved by other means.
“Rule 2.17”
An Entrepreneur shall not counsel or assist a client in conduct that the professional service provider knows, or reasonably should know, is fraudulent or illegal.
Ethical Standard 2.2
CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY
Entrepreneurs should be involved in civic activities as citizens and professionals, and should strive to improve public appreciation and understanding of and the functions and responsibilities of entrepreneurs.
“Rule 2.21”
Entrepreneurs making public statements on service provider issues shall disclose when they are being compensated for making such statements or when they have an economic interest in the issue.
“Rule 2.22”
An Entrepreneur, while engaged in the practice or instruction of professional service, shall not knowingly do anything that constitutes a deliberate or reckless disregard for the health and safety of the communities in which he or she lives and practices or the privacy of the individuals and businesses therein.
“Rule 2.23”
An Entrepreneur shall consider environmental, economic, and cultural implications of his or her work and endeavor to minimize the adverse impacts.
“Rule 2.24”
An Entrepreneur shall not knowingly make use of goods or services offered by manufacturers, suppliers or contractors that are accompanied by an obligation that is substantively detrimental to the best interests of his or her client, other individuals, or the environment.
SECTION 3
OBLIGATIONS TO CLIENTS
PRECEPT: Entrepreneurs should serve their clients in a competent and professional manner and shall otherwise act in the client's best interest within the limits of professional responsibility.
Ethical Standard 3.1
COMPETENCE
Entrepreneurs should serve their clients in a timely, lawful, and competent manner.
“Rule 3.11”
In performing professional services, An Entrepreneur shall take into account applicable laws and regulations. An Entrepreneur may rely on the advice of other qualified persons as to the intent and meaning of such regulations.
“Rule 3.12”
An Entrepreneur shall undertake to perform professional services only when they, together with those whom they may engage as consultants, are qualified by education, training, or experience in the specific technical areas involved.
Ethical Standard 3.2
CONTRACTS, FEES & BILLING
Project contracts should embody clarity and be functionally comprehensive, and project estimates should be reasonably specific and accurate.
“Rule 3.21”
An Entrepreneur shall in the conduct of professional practice produce work only as clearly described in a mutually executed contract(s) that accounts for the project’s scope, deliverables, costs, terms, and the relevant obligations of all involved parties.
Commentary: This rule is intended to require that all professionally contracted work be performed according to a binding scope of responsibilities, rather than with mere verbal agreements or undefined elements. In short, all professional service work must be accomplished under clearly defined, legal, and mutual constraints.
“Rule 3.22”
An Entrepreneur shall not materially alter the contractually defined scope, objectives, or catalog of deliverable components of a project without the client’s consent.
Ethical Standard 3.3
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
Entrepreneurs should avoid conflicts of interest in their professional practices and fully disclose all unavoidable conflicts as they arise.
“Rule 3.31”
An Entrepreneur shall not render professional services if the professional service provider’s professional judgment or quality of performance could be affected by responsibilities to another project or person, or by the professional service provider’s own interests unless all those who rely on the professional service provider’s judgment consent after full disclosure.
Commentary: This rule is intended to embrace the full range of situations that may present An Entrepreneur with a conflict between their interests or responsibilities and the interest of others. Those who are entitled to disclosure may include a client, owner, employer, contractor, supplier, or others who rely on or are affected by the professional service provider’s professional decisions. An Entrepreneur who cannot appropriately communicate about a conflict directly with an affected person must take steps to ensure that disclosure is made by other means.
Ethical Standard 3.4
CANDOR AND TRUTHFULNESS
Entrepreneurs should be candid and truthful in their professional communications and keep their clients reasonably informed about the clients’ projects.
“Rule 3.41”
An Entrepreneur shall not intentionally or recklessly mislead existing or prospective clients about the results that can be achieved through the use of the professional service provider’s services, nor shall the professional service provider state that they can achieve results by means that violate applicable law or this Code.
Ethical Standard 3.5
SECURITY
Entrepreneurs should employ reasonable safeguards in systems and practices to protect the confidentiality of project materials—both analog and digital.
Ethical Standard 3.6
CONFIDENTIALITY
Entrepreneurs should safeguard the trust placed in them by their clients.
“Rule 3.61”
An Entrepreneur shall not knowingly disclose information that would adversely affect their client or that they have been asked to maintain in confidence, including all knowledge of a client’s intentions, production methods, and business organization, except as otherwise allowed or required by this Code or applicable law. Details of all work in progress prior to the completion of a project shall likewise be kept in confidence except as allowed by the consent of the client.
Commentary: To encourage the full and open exchange of information necessary for a successful professional project relationship, entrepreneurs must recognize and respect the sensitive nature of confidential client communications. Because the law does not recognize An Entrepreneur-client privilege, however, the rule permits An Entrepreneur to reveal confidence when a failure to do so would be unlawful or contrary to another ethical duty imposed by this Code.
Ethical Standard 3.7
INTEGRITY
Entrepreneurs should uncompromisingly maintain their integrity.
“Rule 3.71”
A client or employer issuing instructions that involve a violation of this Code should be corrected by the professional service provider, or the professional service provider should refuse the assignment.
SECTION 4
OBLIGATIONS TO THE PROFESSION
PRECEPT: Entrepreneurs should uphold the integrity and dignity of the profession.
Ethical Standard 4.1
COMPENSATION
Entrepreneurs should uphold the fundamental morality of profit, free from destructive interests or conflicts of interest.
“Rule 4.11”
An Entrepreneur shall work only for a fee, a royalty, salary, or another agreed-upon ethical form of compensation.
Commentary: This rule is meant to preclude the professional service provider from retaining any kickbacks, hidden discounts, commission, allowances, or payment in kind from contractors or suppliers.
“Rule 4.12”
An Entrepreneur shall not participate in work that, in aim or substance, denies or works to deny the inherent value of the service, the value of an individual’s genius, effort, or creation, or the value of an individual’s property.
Commentary: This rule is intended to compel entrepreneurs to carefully evaluate pitch invitations and preclude their engaging in any form of spec work.
“Rule 4.13”
An Entrepreneur speaking or writing in a professional capacity shall not knowingly make false statements of material fact.
Commentary: This rule applies to statements made in all professional contexts, including communications with clients, employers, and employees, in instructive articles and white papers, or while speaking to individuals or groups.
Ethical Standard 4.2
DIGNITY AND INTEGRITY
Entrepreneurs should strive, through their actions, to promote the dignity and integrity of the profession, and to ensure that their representatives and employees conform their conduct to this Code.
“Rule 4.21”
An Entrepreneur shall not make misleading, deceptive, or false statements or claims about their professional qualifications, experience, or performance.
“Rule 4.22”
An Entrepreneur shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that those over whom they have supervisory authority conform their conduct to this Code.
SECTION 5
OBLIGATIONS TO PEERS AND COLLEAGUES
PRECEPT: Entrepreneurs should respect the rights and acknowledge the professional aspirations and contributions of their colleagues.
Ethical Standard 5.1
PROFESSIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Entrepreneurs should provide their associates and employees with a suitable working environment, compensate them fairly, and facilitate their professional development.
Ethical Standard 5.2
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Entrepreneurs should recognize and fulfill their obligation to nurture fellow professionals as they progress through all stages of their career.
Ethical Standard 5.3
PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
Entrepreneurs should build their professional reputations on the merits of their own service and performance and should recognize and give credit to others for the professional work they have performed.
“Rule 5.31”
Entrepreneurs shall recognize and respect the professional contributions of their employees, employers, professional colleagues, and business associates.
“Rule 5.32”
An Entrepreneur shall not unreasonably withhold permission from a departing employee or partner to take copies of data, reports, notes, or other materials relating to work performed by the employee or partner that are not confidential.
Ethical Standard 5.4
HONESTY & COURTESY
Entrepreneurs should pursue their professional activities with honesty and courtesy.
“Rule 5.41”
In the course of pursuing business opportunities, An Entrepreneur shall not seek advantage by criticizing another professional service provider or company or attempt, directly or indirectly, to supplant or compete with another professional service provider or company by means of unethical inducements.
“Rule 5.42”
An Entrepreneur shall be objective in publicly criticizing another professional service provider’s work and shall not baselessly denigrate the work or reputation of a fellow professional service provider.
Panoton Code Of Professional Conduct
Make Your Pledge and Join The Panoton Academy
First: Read and carefully consider the Panoton Code of Professional Conduct
Next: Make a public announcement proclaiming your individual dedication to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and competence and your promise to uphold the spirit and letter of the Panoton Code, including a link to the Panoton Code of Professional Conduct page. This proclamation can be in the form of an about page page inclusion, blog post, website content addition, Facebook posting, Tweet, or other permanent publication.
Last: Complete and submit this pledge form.
Whereas entrepreneurs have certain fundamental obligations to society, to clients, to the profession, and to peers and colleagues, and…
Whereas in order to meet these obligations, entrepreneurs should conform their practice according to specific moral ideals and ethical practices…
I hereby pledge my dedication to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and competence in professional service practice and promise to uphold the spirit and letter of the Panoton Code of Professional Conduct through consistent practice and habitual reflection on my actions.