Mamet's Assertions About Ethics in Marketing

Within Mamet's Glengarry, Glen Ross assertions about ethics in marketing were made.

Most of us have formed a negative stereotype regarding sales people. We think of them as smooth-talking, blood-suckers who are out to support themselves in any way possible. Mamet plays on this stereotypical outlook and portrays his characters dealing with ethical situations.

The salespeople in Gelngarry, Glen Ross sell property. The property they sell does not exist. In the process of selling the fictitious land the men never take into play the situations of their customers, they simply are out for money and recognition as the top seller.

The unethical practices that the sales people within the play are known for are:

- Promising clients more than they can deliver, and lying to get the sale.
- Knowingly recommending products to the customer that they know is not in their best interest.
- Steering customers toward a higher-priced solution when a more reasonable option exists.

The unethical decisions that the characters within Mamet's play make are common ethical dilemmas which salespeople still deal with today. Although the ethical landscape is changing within corporate sales departments, these ethical problems still exist within the people employed. Greed and the fight to make commission get in the way of making the ethical decision within those employed, therefore further tarnishing the way sales careers are viewed.
Continually pushing company ethics and ridding sales departments of commission pay will help to deter people from making unethical decisions and encourage them to hold to company wide ethical standards.