What are some of the best practices for avoiding conflicts of interest or bias in sponsorship sales?

2 Disclose any relevant information

Another important practice is to disclose any relevant information that might affect your sponsorship sales process or outcome. This includes any personal, financial, or professional ties or interests that you have with the sponsors, prospects, or beneficiaries of the sponsorship. For example, if you are selling sponsorship for an event that is organized by your friend, family member, or former employer, you should inform your client and potential sponsors about this connection. By being transparent and honest, you can avoid any misunderstandings, accusations, or legal issues that might arise from undisclosed conflicts of interest.

3 Seek feedback and guidance

Sometimes, you might face situations where you are not sure how to handle a potential conflict of interest or bias. In such cases, it is advisable to seek feedback and guidance from your peers, mentors, managers, or experts in the sponsorship industry. You can also consult the best practices, policies, or standards of your organization, association, or sector. By seeking feedback and guidance, you can gain new perspectives, insights, and solutions that can help you resolve the issue in a fair and ethical manner.

4 Respect the rights and interests of others

Another best practice is to respect the rights and interests of others involved in the sponsorship sales process. This means that you should not use your position, influence, or information to gain unfair advantages, benefits, or favors for yourself or others. You should also not engage in any activities or behaviors that might harm, deceive, or exploit the sponsors, prospects, clients, or beneficiaries of the sponsorship. For example, you should not accept or offer bribes, kickbacks, gifts, or commissions that might compromise your objectivity, integrity, or professionalism. You should also not make false or misleading claims, promises, or guarantees that might misrepresent the value, quality, or impact of the sponsorship.

5 Review and evaluate your actions and outcomes

Finally, a best practice is to review and evaluate your actions and outcomes regularly and critically. This means that you should reflect on your sponsorship sales performance, results, and feedback, and identify any areas of improvement, learning, or development. You should also acknowledge and address any mistakes, errors, or complaints that might arise from your sponsorship sales activities or decisions. By reviewing and evaluating your actions and outcomes, you can enhance your skills, knowledge, and experience as a sponsorship sales professional, and also demonstrate your accountability, responsibility, and commitment to ethical sponsorship sales.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?