We gave mortgages to people who couldn't pay

I used to work for a sub-prime lender. I would look the other way while our LOs and managers would falsify documents, create them from scratch (including W2s), and lie on loan applications. We did a lot of good for some people (self-employed people, especially), but we really screwed a lot of others. Particularly the people in fixed-rate loans that were desperate for cash; we'd take them from a 6.25% fixed, to a 8.75% ARM w/2 points. I'm really glad to have left that industry (and banking in general), but in light of the current economic crisis I always feel a little guilty.

SRF Global Translations Special: $98 Blog Post and Response Translation

A wrong translation of a foreign language blog post could land your company in a public relations minefield. Even the wrong translation of a positive post could have unforeseen consequences on your firm's reputation. Don't depend on machine translations by Google and BabelFish, which are not adequate for business.

To demonstrate the difference between SRF Global Translations' nuanced multilanguage translation and an automated Google or Babel Fish translation, SRF will translate a non-English blog post that mentions a company's name, and a response, for the special price of $US 98. (Back translations are US $125.)

How SRF Global's multilanguage blog post translation process works:

Upload a Chinese, Spanish, Italian, or French blog post of up to 200 (or so) words that mentions your company name

Receive a certified correct edited version of the post in English

Use this form to write and upload the company's response to the translated post so SRF Global can translate it into the original language and you can post it on the blog or

Upload an English blog post and response that mentions your company and needs to be translated into Chinese, Spanish, Italian, or French.

Or you can phone Sloan at 212.291.7525

Related Ethics Crisis blog entries: - SRF Global Translations Demonstrates the Difference Between Machine and Human Translations

- CAT vs Machine Translations: Cardiologist vs Proctologist

I set up my boss so I could have his job

I anonymously made allegations through the business practices anonymous 800 # that my boss was hiring vendors based on favors. He was investigated and consequently fired even though none of the allegations were proved. I was promoted to his position after he was fired.

Bad Translation: Funny, But Bad for Business

You know your translation is bad when it ends up in the comedy section of YouTube with the caption, "They should pay for a better translator, if you ask me." And what's up with the pet store owner and that little dog?

I Lied to Get New Business

In an effort to obtain business from an existing client I claimed we were working with several clients (6) in the same industry. One of the clients I listed is not currently a client but one we have spoken with for two years now. Turns out the person I am selling to knows the CEO of the company I'm talking to. I realize I misrepresented the truth. I lied.

South Korea Writing Robot Code of Ethics

Even robots have to worry about ethics codes.

An ethical code to prevent humans abusing robots, and vice versa, is being drawn up by the government of South Korea, where millions of dollars are being devoted to robot research. South Korea is one of the world's most high-tech societies and authorities there say that robotics are a key economic driver. The Ministry of Information and Communication has predicted that every South Korean household will have a robot by between 2015 and 2020, according to BBC News.

The new guidelines could reflect the three laws of robotics put forward by author Isaac Asimov in his short story Runaround in 1942.

Continue reading "South Korea Writing Robot Code of Ethics" »

Clueless!

I had received an e-mail from an account manager whom I loathed for her inability to do her job correctly, even at the most simple level. After receiving this ridiculous e-mail from her, I wanted to send it to a peer of mine whom I had vented to to witness firsthand just how bad she really was. I flamed intensely on the forward, and then sent it off -- only to realize that I had REPLIED to the e-mail, not forwarded it.

Continue reading "Clueless!" »

Kiss Sarbanes-Oxley Goodbye?

When the new Congress began its session in January, two familiar faces were not present: Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes and Rep. Michael G. Oxley, who are both retiring (after 30 and 26 years, respectively.) Many companies think their main legacy, The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, ought to be retired with them.

Sarbanes-Oxley has seriously harmed American corporations and financial markets without increasing investor confidence, say critics.

If It's Not There It Didn't Happen, Right?

I got an email attachment at work that had information about salaries in my department that I knew was proprietary. But I was up for a raise, so I printed it out and then deleted it from my email. Otherwise, it would be backed up that night if left online and then other people in my department would have access to information that gave me a wage negotiating advantage.

Ethics Light

via NoisyRoom.net

Translation: Good Enough to Eat?

Photo of a Chinese menu item translated into English in China, Mmm. Love those cowboys.

via Rahoi.com