Dear Preston:
I run a very successful event design company. One of my managers left the company and opened up their own design business. This person is now a direct competitor. Initially, I was supportive of this move. My thoughts were that there was enough business for everyone. A recent discovery changed my opinion. I have been made aware that this person is now using images of work they executed while working for me and claiming they did it on their own. This tactic has worked to help them steal clients from me.
What should I do?
Feeling Betrayed
Dear Betrayed:
First, I am so sorry this has happened to you. It is an unfortunate reality that acts of betrayal are common amongst those without a conscience. That said, this is so unacceptable that I do not even know where to begin. I, myself, have had many employees leave my company and start their own business, yet there always a decorum of respect. We agreed they would always ask for my written permission to use images of work they did under the umbrella of my company.
That said, I have also stood in your position. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do aside from waiting it out. My advice to you is to have all of your current employees sign a confidentially/non-compete agreement which will protect you from having them do the same thing (for a specified period of time).
Lastly, I want to remind you that most of us will be betrayed in our lifetime. The trick is to learn from the experience and not allow it to destroy your ability to trust others in the future. I am a firm believer that God does not like ugly. I’ll close by saying that the two people who did this to me are no longer in business.
Readers: If you had worked for someone, do you feel that you have the right to show photos of collaborations as your own? What would you advise “Betrayed” to do in this situation? Have you ever been betrayed professionally? Please share your story.
I look forward to reading your comments.
Preston
(Photo Courtesy of Pinterest)
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George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Carolyn Shepard
October 8, 2012
I have been in your spot, Betrayed.
After having nurtured young talent, and supported them in every way possible, both professionally and personally, I know how you feel. I even had a non complete/non disclosure agreement in place. While I could have enforced it, I took the high road and decided to let them eventually circle the drain by their own hand…and they did.
PB is right. While it’s tough to do, wish them all the best, let it go, and let karma bite them in the behind. And trust me, it WILL!
Happiness and continued success without them, is the best revenge!
Best of luck to you!
Carolyn
David Beahm
October 8, 2012
I, too, have had beloved employees leave to do their own thing – and you know what? Change in inevitable. Upon retrospect, change needed to happen long before it actually did.
Yes, as Preston and Carolyn said, karma will let the chips fall as they may (many years ago, when I started my business, my former boss, Philip Baloun, said “It’s easy to start a business, what’s hard is to keep it going!”) – but that is no longer any of your concern and you simply cannot let anger cloud YOUR business or emotions. Take the high road and move beyond the hurt – and stop calling it betrayal. It’s just change.
One of my favorite mantras is: Don’t look in the rearview mirror unless you want to go that way.
Bless them with love, move on – and be better.
What goes around comes around, sometimes it takes awhile!
October 8, 2012
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY?
Jenny
October 8, 2012
I see this as foolish and absolutely nothing to fret about especially if you are a “very successful event design company.” Everyone will copy each others ideas. There is nothing new with that. I don’t understand why successful people would think that their clients are being “stolen.” Clients have minds of their own and can choose whomever they feel to design their event. Try not to worry too much about it b/c that would harm you more than it will harm them. We are floral designers and event planners for a reason…to make people happy. It’s not about how many people you get and it’s not about how much money you make. If this industry is all about being competitive instead of helping each other and learning from one another, than I’m sorry to call that act as being selfish. Don’t let that person that “betrayed” you get in the way of what you’re doing and what your real goal is. Did you expect that person that have worked under you to follow you forever? Of course they’re going to try to branch out ONE day. That’s just reality. Think of it this way, if it weren’t for the “betrayer” or anybody that has worked and helped you out that is on your team…would you even be as successful as you are now?
Forget the pettiness and try to enjoy each moment and continue to do what you LOVE!
Budding Beauty
October 9, 2012
Jenny,
Per the note: “My thoughts were that there was enough business for everyone. A recent discovery changed my opinion. I have been made aware that this person is now using images of work they executed while working for me and claiming they did it on their own”.
The issue is “using images of work they executed while working for me and claiming they did it on their own”.
Having a company’s designs and/or images of a company’s designs used, as if they are rightfully owned by another business, to represent and promote their business is unethical – if not worse.
Can legal action be taken? I’d say it is not worth it, however, a call to this former manager asking that they not use designs that were contracted through their former employer as a representation of their new business, may remind of the small world that we live in (especially with the internet).
To describe the situation as”foolish” and “pettiness” ignores the validity of expecting professional and ethical behavior amongst everyone in the industry.
From my experience, this former manager would be “foolish” to burn bridges with their former employer, as there are often times jobs that need to be referred out to trusted associates.
rose
October 11, 2012
IT LOOKS LIKE IN THIS INDUSTRY THAT’S THE NORM. I HAVE HAD MY SHARE OF THAT, BUT THE BEST THING IS TO HAVE MEASURES THAT WILL PROTECT YOU. I DONT THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO USE IMAGES OF PROJECT EXECUTED BY ANOTHER COMPANY JUST BECAUSE THEY PARTICIPATED IN IT.
Anonymous
October 12, 2012
I have been betrayed. Lead…only designer, met with bride, ordered flowers, made flowers, shopped for items needed…set up on Sunday…..all was perfect but 1 paper lantern, out 0f 50, had blue oriental writing on it…..the bride wanted an adjustment o the owner took it out of my pay. So. I did all this for free