During their start-up days, many Inc. 500 CEOs tell half-truths to win over customers, while others tell outright lies.
Are some lies worse than others? Using the lies described in the article, which ones do you think are harmless to the public and helpful to the business? If a customer is misled by information, but is ultimately not harmed, does that make the lie acceptable? Is there an ethical difference between posturing and overt deception? Does it matter? Why or why not?
Does our capitalist system force entrepreneurs who are starting small businesses into a position where they can only succeed if they exaggerate and posture? If they have no track record and tell the truth about their size and experience, how can they compete with established businesses?