an e t h i c a l dilemma
Ashley West is a key account manager for Custom
Transportation, a multimodal company specializing in
providing inbound and outbound transportation
needs of Fortune 1000 companies worldwide. Over
the years, West has developed strong relationships
with members of the buying teams at each of the 13
companies that comprise her account list. Interlake
Heavy Industries, a worldwide producer of large metal
castings and forgings, has become west’s largest
account. In fact, Interlake alone accounts for just over
28 percent of her total annual sales volume. Last week,
west took Interlake’s director of purchasing—an avid
golfer—out for a day of golf at one of Chicago’s best
private golf clubs. On the tenth tee, West hit her best
drive of the day and the Interlake buyer began
admiring West’s driver. It was a brand new club—
(the technologically advanced TaylorMade Model r7
460) which she had paid $499 for only a few days
earlier. At the next tee box, West handed the club to
the buyer and insisted that he try it out. He did and
drilled a beautiful shot straight down the fairway—and
the ball went a good 40 yards longer than any previous
drive. The buyer handed the driver back to West with
many positive exclamations including the comment
that he could not wait to get one for himself. At that
point, West tossed the driver back to the buyer saying,
‘‘. . . it’s in your bag. Just remember to think of me
every time you use it.’’
What do you think about West’s latest efforts at
building relationships with the Interlake buyer? How
would you have handled this situation in you were in West’s place?