If you brief me and indicate that the information that we have discussed is confidential, I will not discuss it with others and I will not write about the topics that we have discussed.
If I blog about
things that we have discussed, because that was your goal for briefing me, you will have at least two (2) business days to respond before my analysis is released to the public or published. If you brief me on something and indicate that it is
embargoed until you make a public announcement, I will wait for your
announcement. My rule is to err on the side of caution.
If your firm has not signed a confidentiality agreement, your secrets are still safe with me. This includes, but it is not limited to the following items.
Information that I agreed (orally or in writing) not to discuss
or things that you told me in confidence
Sensitive information that has not
been publicly disclosed or reported by that company such as:
gain or loss of significant customers or
suppliers
revenue, profit, losses and other financial
information
earnings projections, quarterly results
internal forecasts
sales volume
Regardless of how I learn sensitive information (e.g.,
from a company insider, former employee of company, company consultant, etc.), I
won't discuss it or publish unless the information is public knowledge.
The More I Know, the Less I Know
If you brief
me on a pending merger or acquisition I can't talk about it until you
announce it publicly. If someone asks me about it privately, and you
have briefed me or indicated that you might be doing something in the
future I can easily excuse myself from speculating on the matter. If no
one from your firm has ever spoken to me, I can speculate on what you
might be doing. So be sure to brief me and I will guard your secrets.
So what will I discuss?
I
will
discuss industry trends that are backed by Network Trends Now survey
data. In addition, I have been told that interpretation of trends and
events is quite valuable.My contacts may help your firm develop a new
alliance for capabilites that can lead to mergers or other positive
developments.
