Imagine you're planning to attend a professional gathering including social events. The social activities are co-sponsored by an organization whose business you are in a position to influence in a material, significant way. Is it okay for you attend the social event they've sponsored? What steps would you take in this situation? Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
As a Senior VP in the highly-scrutinized banking industry, you should go out of your way to avoid any appearance of impropriety, real or imagined. You can be sure someone is out there who would use your attendance at this event against your organization, no matter how innocent it might be. If your organization must send a representative, make sure it’s someone with no decision-making power regarding the organization hosting the events.
...
1 reply by Gary Hamilton
Mar 14, 2017 7:43 AM
Gary Hamilton
...
I agree. I personally go out my way. A lesson my grandparents taught me long ago, "avoid even the appearance of inappropriateness"... The post is intended to engage what others opinion are, when they are faced with the situation.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Frankly speaking, I second and agree with Eric's opinion. Unfortunately, we live in a world where everyone watches everyone and interprets their actions from their own angles. If you can avoid this meeting as a senior management member and send a representative in lieu then this would be best in my humble opinion.
...
1 reply by Gary Hamilton
Mar 14, 2017 7:47 AM
Gary Hamilton
...
Sending a delegate interesting. The situation is not one I am faced with, but often today, we read news stories where this situation causes politicians and others to "make headlines" based a similar situation where they made a bad decision. I was curious what actions others may take, if it came up.
Drew CraigSr. Agile & Product Coach| VanguardPhiladelphia, Pa, United States
Fully agree with what has been stated. Sometimes it can be viewed as - if you're asking the question, you probably already know the answer. Saving Changes...
S RajasekarSenior Project Manager| AllscriptsBangalore, Karnataka, India
Your inner voice has been echo'd by others, now you got your answer double confirmed. Saving Changes...
What do you mean when you say you are in a position to influence the business in a material, significant way?
I'm no lawyer, but I'd be more concerned about a conflict of interest if your presence could be viewed as an attempt by the event host to sway a decision you need to make that could materially affect their business. For example, if I needed to choose a vendor for portfolio management software and was planning to attend the local PMI Professional Development Conference where one of the vendors was hosting a social event and they were paying for food and/or drinks and possibly gifts, it might be best if I avoided the social event.
However, if the host of the event was a company whose business I was trying to get (I want them to select my company instead of my competition), I don't see a conflict of interest. Networking is one of the foundations of business relationships.
Does one of these scenarios match your situation?
...
1 reply by Gary Hamilton
Mar 14, 2017 7:50 AM
Gary Hamilton
...
I do agree, each specific situation needs to be analyzed in order to evaluate the appropriate steps to take to avoid a potential COI.
Unfortunately, you can not control the attendees and sponsor of the event's perception of your attendance. I agree and would not attend. Saving Changes...
As a Senior VP in the highly-scrutinized banking industry, you should go out of your way to avoid any appearance of impropriety, real or imagined. You can be sure someone is out there who would use your attendance at this event against your organization, no matter how innocent it might be. If your organization must send a representative, make sure it’s someone with no decision-making power regarding the organization hosting the events.
I agree. I personally go out my way. A lesson my grandparents taught me long ago, "avoid even the appearance of inappropriateness"... The post is intended to engage what others opinion are, when they are faced with the situation. Saving Changes...
Frankly speaking, I second and agree with Eric's opinion. Unfortunately, we live in a world where everyone watches everyone and interprets their actions from their own angles. If you can avoid this meeting as a senior management member and send a representative in lieu then this would be best in my humble opinion.
Sending a delegate interesting. The situation is not one I am faced with, but often today, we read news stories where this situation causes politicians and others to "make headlines" based a similar situation where they made a bad decision. I was curious what actions others may take, if it came up.
...
2 replies by Rami Kaibni and Stéphane Parent
Mar 14, 2017 11:30 AM
Rami Kaibni
...
I honestly won't attend at all to avoid any issues as it seems that it is a very sensitive situation.
Mar 14, 2017 11:49 AM
Stéphane Parent
...
And that's why you should always ask yourself: if my picture at the event showed up on the front page, what would it do or say about me?
Community Champion
