I’ll lay out a scenario and then I would love to get feedback based on that scenario. As a designer you are engaged by a client, in this case the landlord, to assist with the design of a nice size commercial space (20,000 + sf). They want to provide all of the furnishings in order to sweeten the deal for their potential tenant. Over the course of 6 months you lay out the space, assist with FF&E and provide budgetary numbers for everything while lease negotiations are going on. All the while the client assures you that you are their designer. You feel so good about it that you don’t have them sign anything. You know one of the players involved. You’re going on both your and their “good word”. Then a few days after the lease is finally executed they inform you that the tenant wants to get the most out of the “numbers” that the landlord has agreed to for TI (your numbers) and that they are opening everything up for bids. Since you have worked so hard for the last six months they are going to graciously allow you to be one of the bidders! Hot Damn! Your bid package is in the mail. How do you handle it?
Are ethics in business complete fantasy these days? Is everyone only concerned about themselves and to hell with right and wrong? Does anyone even know the difference between right and wrong anymore? Is it all about ME and anyone who provides a service is expendable?
About Barry BinghamBarry Bingham is the CEO of Image South Fine Art and the creator of www.imagesouthfineart.com. He blogs, he travels and he speaks. He loves good food, great wine, golf, his three golden retrievers and his wife Deneen.