Would this be a Conflict of Interest, or unethical?

I am a newly licensed Insurance Agent who will be working for a Health Insurance company starting this week. Next week won't be a problem, since I will be at corporate headquarters for a week of training.

My wife and I also signed up for an MLM...Prepaid Legal to be exact.

While I am selling insurance, which will be mostly to the senior market and during the daytime, I will be selling insurance, however, during my 'off' time in the evenings, would there be any reason why I shouldn't market or sell Pre-Paid Legal at other times?

They don't directly 'compete' against each other.

I am contracted to sell only my insurance companies insurance, but it doesn't say anything about also selling widgets or something else that isn't competing with them directly, which I don't see how this would be.

What do you think?

I have different kinds of advice. The first is to not do both at the same time. Pick one or the other and go 100% at it. This is especially true if you are brand new in both - don't start brand new in both - you'll not serve either very well meaning you won't serve you very well.

Another piece of advice is if you were to attempt both find out precisely if you can work another sales business while you sell insurance. If you can't don't do it.

More advice: you could put the MLM business in your wife's name but there would be an ethical concern if you did that business against the rules of the insurance company using your wife as a shill - I put that crudly but I advice against that.

Network marketing is a very challenging business and very few ever create a five figure income - very very few ever create a six figure income and it's rare in the MLM world for anyone to create a seven figure income. Obviously not top earners in insurance also begin in five figures and into six and seven are the exceptions.

I favor MLM or network marketing as that's what I've done with one company for twelve years. Knowing what I know, I'd never do both at the same time - an exception would be if I'd established a solid insurance business, it was okay with the insurance company for me to be in another sales business, and I had extra time not conflicting with my insurance obligations.

The best to you.

MitchM

When you signed-up with the insurance company (the "day job"), you were provided with guidelines (eg. non-compete, confidentiality, etc.). The fact, for example, that you know you can ONLY sell their policies is just such a guideline.

IF there is an issue (with selling other offerings), the company needs to spell it out in advance. It's not incumbent upon the employee to advise the employer. It should not be something which can be interpretted.

I learned from corporate counsel (at Apple), that you write agreements "to exclude" (versus include). Because you simply cannot think of everything in advance. So, if you have nothing in-hand which excludes the type of offering which you're describing, it seems apparent that it is okay.

Obviously, you need to be careful with company resources (eg. computer, paper, toner, etc.). And, you need to be sure to be available for company "needs" (eg. appointments, team events, after-hour sessions, etc.).

The question of how many ways you can split your time is an entirely separate topic which you need to resolve in advance (versus finding out the hard way). No excuses about being tired!!

Good luck & Good selling!
Pat

Not unethical, but have you thought about this?

What would you do if you have the same customer interested in doing business with both companies you represent? At the very least, you may be in an awkward position as far as your image goes with this customer.

If you have to ask yourself this question it means that you have to present it to the client and let them determine if there are any issues. The client will love you forever because of it and you will at least sell 1 of the products/services.

Success,

Rory Wilfong
ProspectMX

I think I will let the MLM be my wifes thing and the job be my thing. I will assist her where I can, since she is actually the primary and she wants to do it. (She likes selling too) If I come across anyone who brings up law stuff, I'll refer them to her and she can refer any insurance (in my area to me) I think though that 'no man can serve two masters' and I need to be as effective as I can in one area as opposed to wishy washy in two areas.

"I think though that 'no man can serve two masters' and I need to be as effective as I can in one area as opposed to wishy washy in two areas" -- Boxurian

That's good advice you've given yourself. The only exceptions I've seen are highly unique individuals who can put 100% of themselves into two ventures at the same time or they've built one then diversify into other areas.

I believe you are making a good choice. The best to you.

MitchM

	#1
Boxurian	Would this be a Conflict of Interest, or unethical? I am a newly licensed Insurance Agent who will be working for a Health Insurance company starting this week. Next week won't be a problem, since I will be at corporate headquarters for a week of training. My wife and I also signed up for an MLM...Prepaid Legal to be exact. While I am selling insurance, which will be mostly to the senior market and during the daytime, I will be selling insurance, however, during my 'off' time in the evenings, would there be any reason why I shouldn't market or sell Pre-Paid Legal at other times? They don't directly 'compete' against each other. I am contracted to sell only my insurance companies insurance, but it doesn't say anything about also selling widgets or something else that isn't competing with them directly, which I don't see how this would be. What do you think?

	#2
MitchM	My Advise I have different kinds of advice. The first is to not do both at the same time. Pick one or the other and go 100% at it. This is especially true if you are brand new in both - don't start brand new in both - you'll not serve either very well meaning you won't serve you very well. Another piece of advice is if you were to attempt both find out precisely if you can work another sales business while you sell insurance. If you can't don't do it. More advice: you could put the MLM business in your wife's name but there would be an ethical concern if you did that business against the rules of the insurance company using your wife as a shill - I put that crudly but I advice against that. Network marketing is a very challenging business and very few ever create a five figure income - very very few ever create a six figure income and it's rare in the MLM world for anyone to create a seven figure income. Obviously not top earners in insurance also begin in five figures and into six and seven are the exceptions. I favor MLM or network marketing as that's what I've done with one company for twelve years. Knowing what I know, I'd never do both at the same time - an exception would be if I'd established a solid insurance business, it was okay with the insurance company for me to be in another sales business, and I had extra time not conflicting with my insurance obligations. The best to you. MitchM __________________ Twelve Years Helping People Feel Better, Live Better, Do Better http://mitch-mitchsblog.blogspot.com/

	#3
OUTSource Sales "Top Sales Expert"	An Element of "Reasonable-ness" When you signed-up with the insurance company (the "day job"), you were provided with guidelines (eg. non-compete, confidentiality, etc.). The fact, for example, that you know you can ONLY sell their policies is just such a guideline. IF there is an issue (with selling other offerings), the company needs to spell it out in advance. It's not incumbent upon the employee to advise the employer. It should not be something which can be interpretted. I learned from corporate counsel (at Apple), that you write agreements "to exclude" (versus include). Because you simply cannot think of everything in advance. So, if you have nothing in-hand which excludes the type of offering which you're describing, it seems apparent that it is okay. Obviously, you need to be careful with company resources (eg. computer, paper, toner, etc.). And, you need to be sure to be available for company "needs" (eg. appointments, team events, after-hour sessions, etc.). The question of how many ways you can split your time is an entirely separate topic which you need to resolve in advance (versus finding out the hard way). No excuses about being tired!! Good luck & Good selling! Pat __________________ OUTSource Sales Consulting Visit us: www.OUTSource-sales.net

	#4
Wonderboy	My thoughts Not unethical, but have you thought about this? What would you do if you have the same customer interested in doing business with both companies you represent? At the very least, you may be in an awkward position as far as your image goes with this customer.

	#5
rwilfong	If you have to ask yourself this question it means that you have to present it to the client and let them determine if there are any issues. The client will love you forever because of it and you will at least sell 1 of the products/services. Success, Rory Wilfong ProspectMX

	#6
Boxurian	Thanks for the advice I think I will let the MLM be my wifes thing and the job be my thing. I will assist her where I can, since she is actually the primary and she wants to do it. (She likes selling too) If I come across anyone who brings up law stuff, I'll refer them to her and she can refer any insurance (in my area to me) I think though that 'no man can serve two masters' and I need to be as effective as I can in one area as opposed to wishy washy in two areas.

	#7
MitchM	Good Advice "I think though that 'no man can serve two masters' and I need to be as effective as I can in one area as opposed to wishy washy in two areas" -- Boxurian That's good advice you've given yourself. The only exceptions I've seen are highly unique individuals who can put 100% of themselves into two ventures at the same time or they've built one then diversify into other areas. I believe you are making a good choice. The best to you. MitchM

Would this be a Conflict of Interest, or unethical?

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