Free Agent Accountability

By Paul Bednar
Posted Wednesday, December 29, 2004

The recent surge in corporate deceit and scandal should be a wake up call for free agents. Here are a few items to which every free agent should be accountable.

1. Be honest

This is as simple as doing what you say you're going to do. Don't promise something you can't achieve or deliver.

2. Charge a fair fee

Everyone needs to earn a living but don't be greedy. You're in this business for the long haul. Price gouging is very short sighted and negatively impacts your reputation.

3. Provide excellent customer service

When you're a small operation, service can be a huge advantage. Other organizations have a bureaucracy to work through to make decisions. Be more responsive and flexible. Use this speed to your advantage.

4. Have integrity

Don't be a "Yes" person. When you recognize an inappropriate situation, project, or a conflict of interest, do not get involved. A reputation takes a long time to build and a short time to crumble.

5. Have ethics

Follow a code of moral principles and values created by an organization or one that you developed. If you don't stand for something, you don't stand for anything.

About the Author
Paul Bednar publishes a free newsletter where each issue provides an informative article, answers a common question, and shares a lesson learned. To subscribe, visit his web site at (http://www.free-agent-information.com) or send email to mailto:subscribe@free-agent-information.com.