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A Question of
Business Ethics
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Q.
I am an independent contractor for a company that sells art related
products (not MLM). I am certified to teach the correct use of the materials.
I teach classes, certify others to teach and also sell the products. After
a certification class, all of the contact information for each student is
forwarded to corporate offices.
It has recently come to my attention that the corporate office is sending
invitations to my students, (and those of other instructors as well)
soliciting business from these students for more classes and to purchase
product.
Corporate insists that there is nothing inappropriate in this behaviour. I
(and other instructors) are up in arms. Is their behaviour appropriate or not?
Sincerely,
Karen
Arkansas USA
Advice
by Yvonne Buchanan
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Dear Karen:
If your concern is for your students, an opt-in clause on
their enrollment forms for more information would protect you and those who
do not wish to be contacted. If your concern, however, is that you are
providing corporate with leads, and corporate is capitalizing on that to
your detriment (selling to students directly rather than through you), then
you have a legitimate beef. If you and other instructors are bringing money
in for corporate, you have a solid place from which to set some ground
rules. For instance, for any leads you generate, corporate should provide
you with some type of commission. You need to get together with the other
instructors, determine an equitable arrangement, and present a united front
when you make your case.
Best wishes to you, Karen. Let us know how it goes.
About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide:
 Yvonne
Buchanan is a 20-year veteran of public relations, marketing and advertising.
She teaches public relations courses online for career changers, freelancers
and students through The PR Academy www.learnpr.com
and is co-founder of Real-World PR www.realworldpr.com
, a public relations information provider for small businesses. Real-World PR
offers public relations toolkits (manual/CD combinations) that allow small
business owners to create and maintain their own public relations programs.
The opinions expressed in this column are those of the
author, not of PowerHomeBiz.com. Users should not treat the Guide's response as
legal, accounting, or professional advice as all answers are intended to be
general in nature. Such advice can only be properly given by qualified
professionals who are fully aware of a user's specific geographical areas or
circumstances, such as an attorney or accountant.
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