Courtesies Between Braxton Network Members

Common courtesies should, at all times, be observed between
members, which specifically include the following:

Marketing Materials
Care should be taken in a member firm’s marketing materials,
whether brochures, adverts or mail shots, to act in a professional
manner and not make disparaging remarks about other professional
firms. When meeting with potential clients or influencers similar care
needs to be taken when discussing other, potentially competing,
members of Braxton Network.

Staff
There are times, particularly in those countries where we have
more than one member firm, when an individual currently employed
by one member firm approaches another member firm for
employment purposes.
Where both firms have properly promoted the Braxton Network name, that individual should be aware that both firms
are members of the network.
However, regardless of this, the firm to whom the application for
employment has been made should not contact the employing firm
without the permission of the individual. Having obtained this
permission, the firm should make direct contact with the employing
firm as soon as is practical.
A member firm should under no circumstances approach individuals
in another member firm with a view to them joining their firm without
the consent of the other firm.
This policy should be made clear both internally within the firm and
to any human resource or other employment consultant(s) hired to
assist in a member firm’s recruitment processes.

Partners
Under no circumstances should a member firm approach a partner
in another member firm with a view to making them an offer to
move firms.
Where a partner in an existing member firm makes an approach to
another firm, the firm to which the approach has been made should
require that the partner’s current firm is made aware of the situation
before proceeding with discussions. In all cases, care must be
taken to maintain the confidentiality of information belonging to the
firms involved.

Existing Clients
Under no circumstances should a member firm make a cold
approach to an existing client of another member firm with a view to
providing services to them currently provided by that other member.
Where such an approach relates to services not currently provided
by that member, it should only be made after informing the other
member, who should be made aware of all relevant details
pertaining to the issue.
Where an existing client makes an approach to another member for
the provision of services already being provided by the member,
care needs to be taken not to breach confidentiality rules, clients’
rights or professional ethics. Members should consider carefully the
contents of any proposal submitted to the client.

Competing for New Business
Occasions may arise where two or more member firms find
themselves bidding for the same client engagement.
It is imperative that every care is taken to ensure that the
tendering process is undertaken professionally and having regard,
at all times, to the fact that the other bidders include another
member of the network.

Resolving Conflicts
Inevitably, there will be circumstances where a conflict arises between
the interests of one member firm and another. To a certain extent this
can be limited by ensuring that all clients and members of staff are
fully aware of the firm’s membership of Braxton Network, what
the network represents and the way in which it operates.
Where a conflict arises, and if deemed appropriate by those
involved, the chair of the relevant regional advisory council should be
contacted to assist in the mediation.