Code of Conduct governs how we interact.
Here’s what we expect.
IBO evaluates its Members and requires superior attention to business ethics and practices. IBO has adopted the following broad policies to assist in harmonic interaction of all Members.
Business Culture
Members should promote a culture of fairness, respect and personal accountability and perform business operations in an honest and ethical way. Participants will avoid actual or apparent conflicts of interest.
Laws, Rules and Regulations
Members should perform business operations in accordance with relevant laws, rules and regulations and should never attempt to acquire a competitor’s trade secrets or other nonpublic information through unlawful means, such as theft, spying or breach of a competitor’s non-disclosure agreement by a customer or other party.
Members will not offer or accept bribes or other means of obtaining undue or improper advantage and no Associate, or its representatives or employees, should offer a kickback, favor, gratuity, entertainment or anything of value to obtain favorable treatment.
Competitive Spirit
Competition is the mother of our American way, and we must all profit to maintain healthy business operations and to provide support services for clients. While conducting business, IBO expects the following:
- Members should treat competitors fairly, honestly and with respect.
- Members should avoid even the appearance of improperly acquiring competitive information. Appropriate sources including publicly available information, industry shows or conferences, industry consultant surveys, and competitive research.
- Members should not use deception or threats of diminished support to discourage clients from using competitors’ products and services.
- Members should not establish artificial obstacles or financial penalties to discourage clients from using competitors’ products and services.
- Members should not disparage others but should promote their own products and services through fair and accurate competitive comparisons (based on competitors’ currently published materials or other factual data), the strength of their products and services, and their own company reputation.
- Members should not comment on the character, financial condition, or potential legal or regulatory problems of competitors and should accurately represent themselves and never misrepresent their identity when gathering competitive information.
Personal Conduct
While attending IBO sponsored events and conferences, Members should conduct themselves in a professional and lawful manner. Specifically they should not:
- Sexually harass or assault anyone
- Display unruly, aggressive or destructive behavior
- Cause property damage
- Engage in disruptions that affect others that may or may not be part of IBO
- Disregard for personnel at hotels, off-site venues, transportation, security or IBO management
Dress Code
Business casual, please no shorts or flip flops.
Failure to comply with any of these expectations may result in removal from participating in group activities and the IBO organization.
This Associate Code of Conduct may be amended from time to time by IBO.