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    #1

    Business Ethics Question

    Scenario...

    (Names have been changed)

    One of our customers is owned by a good friend of mine (John). John is a great guy and has been honest with me about several things that have had a big impact on my business. His business partner (Frank) hired a guy that I don't trust whatsoever (Bill). Bill used to work with one of my employees (Tom) at another company and they are still good friends.

    Tom came into my office today and showed me a piece of marketing material that Bill had created for his "new" company. The new company will be in direct competition with his current employers, John & Frank. Bill is still employed by my customer and my employee is a good employee.

    Question...do I call my friend up and let him know that his employee is positioning himself to be a competitor in the near future? Do I respect the implied confidentiality with my employee?

    Suggestions?
    Tags: None
    #2
    Whats your gut feeling telling you to do?

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      #3
      Originally posted by Charles View Post
      Whats your gut feeling telling you to do?
      My gut is telling me to call my customer because I think he would call me if the roles were reversed. However, I believe my employee told me in confidence not knowing the relationship.

      Comment

        #4
        Honestly my first reaction from the outside looking in would be to let nature take its course, as things usually tend work out like they should...but if this was happening to one of my friends I would probably give them a heads up..

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          #5
          Originally posted by Bowdidley View Post
          Honestly my first reaction from the outside looking in would be to let nature take its course, as things usually tend work out like they should...but if this was happening to one of my friends I would probably give them a heads up..
          Without going into a ton of detail...the longer this guy is employed, with the intention on competing, the more information he can siphon from them to help him in his new venture.

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            #6
            I'd give your customer a heads up. If he finds out later that you knew and didn't tell him he probably won't be your customer anymore. The guy is a thief stealing someone else's business.

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              #7
              If the role was reverse would you want your friend to tell you?

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                #8
                Let him know he has a leak in his boat. I would bet that he wouldn't need a whole lot of specific information to start poking around. He would recognize the gesture.

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                  #9
                  In your heart you know the answer. If he's truly your friend, you need to tell him.

                  Comment

                    #10
                    Originally posted by M16 View Post
                    I'd give your customer a heads up. If he finds out later that you knew and didn't tell him he probably won't be your customer anymore. The guy is a thief stealing someone else's business.
                    Explain how he's a thief. I agree I would give my customer a heads up. But the other guy is free to start up his own company if he wants, not sure how it makes him a thief. If the customers decide to choose his new business over the current one good for him.

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                      #11
                      Friendships and business are two separate things....

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                        #12
                        Originally posted by Buckley99 View Post
                        Without going into a ton of detail...the longer this guy is employed, with the intention on competing, the more information he can siphon from them to help him in his new venture.
                        Like I said if it was like a good personal friend I would tell them whether it was considered unprofessional or not. If it was someone I just conducted business with often I would stay out it. If you think something is off with the guy for whatever reason your probably not the only person who sees it. He can siphon all the info he wants, if he is a squirrel other people will see it too and won't want to deal with him. Nothing wrong with going out on his own, but there is a right way and wrong way. If he were to go about the wrong way it would likely catch up to him.

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                          #13
                          Originally posted by Buckley99 View Post
                          John is a great guy and has been honest with me about several things that have had a big impact on my business.
                          Nuff said. Call him up.

                          Comment

                            #14
                            Call him...

                            Comment

                              #15
                              Originally posted by bk913 View Post
                              Explain how he's a thief. I agree I would give my customer a heads up. But the other guy is free to start up his own company if he wants, not sure how it makes him a thief. If the customers decide to choose his new business over the current one good for him.
                              He's a thief if he's working to start his own business using contacts not his own while accepting money from his employer on. If he wants to start his own business, that's fine. Do it like I did, quit your job, take the risk, and do it on your own dime. That way, you can sleep at night.

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