You sir, are absolutely, 100% correct. Why others cannot understand this basic point is well beyond my ability to comprehend but I'm glad someone out there "gets it".
> Boy, I hate to jump in, but perhaps I can end this... > > Greg, in the absolute, you are correct. Accepting *anything* of *any* > value whatsoever from third parties that stand to gain from your > relationship to your client could be considered a breach of ethics - in > the absolute. Even if the "gift" (title, free software, pencils..) does > not influence, the perception of the relationship to the third party is > still tainted. > > Note I say "could be". The crux is in the context. Does your client > expect objectivity on your part? That is the critical difference. If an > IT professional bills themselves as providing the very best vendor > neutral solution, then accepting vendor gifts (even titles) could be > considered a breach of ethics.=20 > > Disclosure is another big factor. Has the relationship between you and > the third party been disclosed to the client? > > For example, If I hire a lawyer to sue a company, I would every right to > expect that the lawyer not be getting any gratuities whatsoever from > that company. If the lawyer were receiving anything of value (even > titles, which could enhance their status) from the company, that would > be a breech of ethics. Furthermore, I'd expect any past relationship > with the company be disclosed fully to me. Failure of this, even if the > lawyer's performance wasn't actually swayed in the slightest, would > still create a perception of impropriety. > > Now, if I call up the local Trane dealer for a new furnace, I certainly > don't expect any objectivity on from him/her. It is not a problem if > Trane has bestowed titles, free trips to the Bahamas, fish tacos, or any > other gratuity to him/her. In fact, the more the better, since that > means they are more than likely competent at what they do. > > I'd say IT consultants dealing with Exchange are in the second group. > Most pitch MS solutions, and make no claims of objectivity. Also, when > an IT professional uses something like Microsoft MVP after their name, > that serves as a disclosure to the client that there is an existing > relationship between the consultant and Microsoft. > > For sure ethics standards are a slippery beast and make for an ever > changing landscape. It would be simpler if the whole world adopted the > "not even the appearance of impropriety" standard, but that just isn't > going to happen. Therefore, every profession defines, and continually > redefines the "line" that divides ethical from unethical.=20 > > > > > _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/cgi-bin/lyris.pl?enter=exchange&text_mode=&lang=english To unsubscribe: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
