Ethics 101 (Continued) -- What 's Right for My Client?

Policy vs. Independence... Last week's Dispatch (July 24), Ethics 101: Do the Right Thing, Please, triggered a bunch of interesting e-mails.  Remember, the question raised was: To what extent could a company encourage its employees to push the use of company-funded technology? 

Here's what an executive at a major service provider wrote: "Regardless of investments made by your parent company, property professionals should constantly be looking for faster, more efficient and better ways of delivering service.  This is the crux of survival today.  These tools must demonstrate their own value proposition, or they will not be adopted regardless of an employers' 'tactics of encouragement.'  For this reason, I have not required our professionals to use tools offered by companies in which we have invested, unless they believe in the value propositions and our clients support their decisions..."

Two vendors (perhaps not surprisingly) took a bit harder line.  Both asked to remain confidential.  The thrust of their arguments was two-fold: First, what good is a new technology tool if it's not used?   Why not motivate people to use it, especially if top management believes that it will add value?  Second, employees have an ethical commitment to their employers to perform their duties to the best of their abilities, provided they're not asked to treat customers unethically or unlawfully.  So employees should toe the company line.  Hmm.  It's the old carrot and stick debate.

PikeNet Featured Links... So is it ethical for me to promote PikeNet advertisers?  Hope so!  Hey, I depend upon this revenue.  So let me thank all the Featured Links in the Brokers "Channel." ... Staubach Company, Marcus & Millichap, CB Richard Ellis, CCIM Institute, Colliers International, CORE Network, CRESA Partners, Cushman & Wakefield, Insignia/ESG, Jones Lang LaSalle, NAI, and Trammell Crow Company. ... If you'd like to join them, please me send e-mail.

--Peter Pike / ppike@pikenet.com