There are right ways and wrong ways to conduct Competitive Intelligence and Marketing Research. The Society of Competitive Intelligence Professionals is a great resource. Here’s SCIP Code of Ethics for CI Professionals
1. To continually strive to increase the recognition and respect of the profession.
2. To comply with all applicable laws, domestic and international.
3. To accurately disclose all relevant information, including one’s identity and organization, prior to all interviews.
4. To avoid conflicts of interest in fulfilling one’s duties.
5. To provide honest and realistic recommendations and conclusions in the execution of one’s duties.
6. To promote this code of ethics within one’s company, with third-party contractors and within the entire profession.
7. To faithfully adhere to and abide by one’s company policies, objectives and guidelines.
While this may look like a pretty ‘white bread’ list of behaviors, a couple deserve note:
Item 2 – One trick is knowing just what the local laws do and do not allow. Clients – You need to know that simply hiring a 3rd party doesn’t get you off the hook, if they break the law. You’re just as liable when your agent breaks the law as if you did it yourself.
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