Ethics of multiple clients in same biz?

["Geoff Hart (by way of \"Eric J. Ray\" <ejray -at- raycomm -dot- com>)" <ght -at- MTL -dot- FERIC -dot- CA>]

Beth Weise Moeller is <<...wondering how other consultants handle
working with more than one firm in the same industry.>>

The only real ethical concerns I see here are (i) whether promoting
one firm would somehow prevent you from promoting another firm to
the best of your abilities and (ii) whether you're trying to hide
this from the clients. This suggests two solutions that will let you
work with multiple firms in the same industry, at least occasionally:
1. Commit to giving your best effort to any client, irrespective of
whether you also work for their competitors.
2. Full disclosure up front. If the client knows you may be working
for a competitor, then it's the client's decision whether to work
with you. (That is, don't cut off your own business until someone
makes you do it... then charge them for the privelege of making you
lose business.)

There are obvious peripheral issues you must address, such as
confidentiality and coming into the possession of strategic
information, but you'll have to judge each of those on a
case-by-case basis. Many of the issues can be solved quite simply by
asking a simple question: "What information do you want us to work
with that you don't want your competitors to know about?" If the
company can't identify anything, and says so in writing, then you're
reasonably safe.

Since the problem you pose is common in advertising, it would be
worth your while to locate an advertising LISTSERV on the 'net and
solicit their opinions. I'm sure the more successful firms have
worked out ways to resolve any potential conflict of interest
without losing business.
--Geoff Hart @8^{)}
geoff-h -at- mtl -dot- feric -dot- ca

"Patience comes to those who wait."--Anon.

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