I believe that the answer to the question about a shop's behaviour is that "it depends".
Perhaps, there could exist an assumption that there are two types of shops. It consultant shops, and product specialist shops. The shop that only considers one solution is a "product specialist". An ethical dilemma exists if the shop was not clear with their client which type of shop they are. So to answer the question, if the shop indicated that it was a particular solution provider and perhaps had initials after the business insignia indicating such, then it would not be unethical for not considering any other vendors. Nathan Black Messaging Consultant -----Original Message----- From: John Matteson [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Tuesday, December 23, 2003 9:07 AM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: RE: Greg's Utterly Fascinating Views on Ethics No. John Matteson Geac Corporate ISS (404) 239 - 2981 Atlanta, Georgia, USA. -----Original Message----- From: Martin Tuip [MVP] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Posted At: Monday, December 22, 2003 1:51 PM Posted To: Exchange Discussion List Conversation: Greg's Utterly Fascinating Views on Ethics Subject: Re: Greg's Utterly Fascinating Views on Ethics Does that make the shop unethical now for not considering any other vendor ? -------------------------- Martin Tuip MVP Exchange Exchange 2000 List owner www.exchange-mail.org www.sharepointserver.com [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "Erik Sojka" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "Exchange Discussions" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, December 22, 2003 10:45 AM Subject: RE: Greg's Utterly Fascinating Views on Ethics You seem to have a fundamental misunderstanding of the types of consulting engagements. One such type: "I want to put in a new email system. Please tell me which system from all of the major players would fit in my environment." Another such type: "I've already decided that Lotus Notes is the email system for me. Please draw from your vendor-specific expertise and help me with my deployment." There are others of course. You seem fixated on the ethical problems that might arise with a vendor-biased consultant being hired for the first of my examples. In this first example, you are completely correct in pointing out the very real conflict of interest. I cannot and should not expect completely neutral recommendations from a person who markets themselves as an expert in $vendor's technology. Logic would dictate that the consultant would recommend the technology that they are affiliated with. You have completely and repeatedly ignored the possibility of the second (and IMO more frequently occurring) type. If I am already running a $vendor shop, I want to hire the best talent I can. I would expect that the best talent I can find would be familiar with $vendor technology. The decision to use a particular vendor has already been made. By me. Without any prodding or cajoling by said consultant. (Remainder of post clipped and recycled) _________________________________________________________________ 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] _________________________________________________________________ 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]
