Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

This is kind of a long story, but basically someone who is local, my competition, and runs in the same circles contacted me today to "partner with" my designer for her projects because she really `likes the clean look" of our websites. Now, after being so shocked as to have someone who I have competed with for many projects just basically ask me to hand over my artist ... how would you respond to such a request? (I`m going to still run into this person often ...)

What do you do when your competition so boldly tries to lure away your employees?

(FWIW, I know he`s not going to leave.)

"I`m flattered you asked, but we have several large projects coming in and I`m going to need him dedicated to those"

Even if that`s not the perfect answer, starting with, "I`m flattered you asked, but...." will work.

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The Virtual Company Blog ●●●●● 2002 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year ●●●●● 2004 Inc. 500 ●●●●● Spare Bedroom to NASDAQ in Five Years ●●●●●

Nikole,

How did you respond?

R@

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

Competition is always trying to lure away employees. Your employees are your assets. What have you done to protect your intelectual assets if the employee moves to another employer?

I haven`t. I was really quite shocked!

My goal is always to do something better. If I see something I like, I want to do it better and put my own spin on it. So to have someone just want to "borrow" (ok, take) what it is that we are doing well ... well, I wondered if this was some kind of prank!

I guess I was also taking the afternoon off to pat myself on the back that my "rival" thinks our artwork is better than her own ... enough to want to have it for herself!

I`m not sure what you mean. The "asset" in this case is my artist`s own talent. I worked very hard to find him. And I intend to work hard to keep him as well.

Nikole,

Okie dokie. Well, I can`t say it any better than Mark above. Love his response.

R@

PS: It isn`t really stealing ... all`s fair in love and war ... and business. At least they did it to your face - better than most cases I can cite.

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Richard Arnold · Key Concept Writers · Business Communication: The "Key" To Success· Law of Attraction Blog · Life Ain`t Brain Surgery Blog

I think that was part of the shocking thing. His name is right on the site ... if she wanted him so bad, why not just contact him? (He would have even told me about it anyway.)
It seems even weirder to me for her to contact me!

I can understand your shock and probably frustration. My situation is a little different than what you are experiencing right now, but it is still very aggravating. It is hard when you have put all your heart and soul into something so close to you and then have someone think they can just waltz in and get in on the action.

I had something like this happen when I first started. Most of my frustration is that I actually played a part in this, I just didn`t see it coming. My "Ex-Friend", was very eager to help and I welcomed the help, we are now competitors. When I first started she was excited and wanted to do something also. It was great as we could share some travel expenses and things. I made some suggestions and helped her come up with some products (not food) but she soon realized where the money was, food. Before I knew it things got out of control and she was dabbling in the same business as I was. Unfortunately, we are no longer friends. Fortunately for me, she only has a few of my mix concoctions, she does not cook and to date has not been able to come up with any additional products so she has remained somewhat stagnant, but, she has copied my logo and everything as far as packaging. She has not been able to attain the level of sales that we have reached, and I really don`t consider her competition anymore, but It Still Sucks . I learned a valuable lesson the hard way.

I also try not to be bitter about this, it cost a good friend. I can`t blame her for doing this, she saw a good thing and went for it, isn`t that what we all want? What I struggle with the most is that we were friends and she doesn`t seem to have a conscious in regards to what she actually did and that she somehow thinks what she did is ok.

So be careful from both sides, the competition stealing ideas/employees and also make sure the employee is as faithful as you think and that you have all your bases covered in both these instances. We had been friends since middle school, who`d of thunk it. . .

I worked for an employer once who had a situation where he had a painter who had worked for him for years. One of his bread and butter moves at this company was to attach his own number to certain paint mixtures. This way if one of his clients wanted to change sign companies they would call to get the paint numbers and all he would give them was his paint number. Of course they were expecting a shirwin williams color or a PMS color, so his number did not help them out any. Anyway, long story short, his main painter left to work for another company. This painter knew many of the colors and was able to get his new employer more business because he shared exclusive information with the new company that allowed them to bid on jobs that were previously owned by the first company. This is what was meant by intellectual property. Its good that you trust your employee, but what if he went to another company? Do you have a written policy that states any and all graphics designed by him for your company is the sole ownership of the company? IF not, he owns any art work he has developed for you and should he move on, could use it in development of websites, whatever, for another company. Is he privy to any sensitive information that would help your competition get an upper edge on you later on? Do you have a set policy on sharing information? Again, its good that you trust your employee, but should this competition contact him directly and he accept their offer, do you have it set up to have all of your bases covered?