In this post, I'll share some of the most commonly asked questions about technology, business, and ethics. Most of these are simple, basic questions that need a simple answer.
But in reality, I'll explain the complexities of ethics in a digital world. There is no silver bullet. So it's up to you to figure out where to draw the line and when to bend the rules.
This is about more than ethical decisions - it's about making good choices so you don't fall victim to the next fad or exploit loopholes.
This is the part of my series called The Ethics of Technology. In this series, I talk about the things that make me uncomfortable with certain technologies and how we need to start thinking ethically now, even in a world where you can just Google things.
Questions I Get Asked
The majority of the questions I receive are about the ethics of using certain technologies, online businesses, or even specific products. These are common questions that arise from my personal experience, professional experience, and conversations with friends.
What's the Difference Between Online & Offline Businesses?
There's an entire class of business that's entirely online, and it's called an online business. The term "online" doesn't really tell the whole story.
An online business is just that - an internet-based business, whether it's on a website or in a mobile app. A physical business, on the other hand, exists somewhere that has an address.
It's also important to understand that both physical and online businesses can be structured the same way, with one major difference.
With an online business, you create an eCommerce website and sell products that you own or represent. Your company might offer services too, but it's unlikely.
As opposed to that, offline businesses take place somewhere in the real world. It could be a storefront where people go to buy your products, a brick and mortar store where they can touch and feel your goods, or it could even be a live concert in the park.
The big difference between the two is that offline businesses don't sell something that's out in the wild. They give something to people, in the form of a physical product. The only way you can earn money from an offline business is by selling people your products.
What's the Difference Between Products and Services?
Products and services are similar, but they are still different. They are, however, very often confused. It's easy to confuse services and products, especially if you've never been involved in ecommerce before.
It's important to know the difference between the two so you don't end up losing clients. People might even believe that you're offering a product when you're really providing a service. This can be damaging to a business.
Consider this scenario: you sell an iPhone case, but it's not working and you want to refund the product. What happens to your customer?
Very interesting