BASE Code of Ethics and Conduct

The character and integrity of BASE Team Advisors, and their dedication to helping other alumni become successful entrepreneurs and business leaders must always and in all circumstances reflect the highest standards of conduct of Babson College, and of the global community of alumni and friends.  Therefore, it is imperative that Advisors conduct themselves in ways that serve the best interests of Babson College and its alumni. 

 

• Advisors shall always conduct their advising and other service activities in a manner that unequivocally places the interests of Alumni Entrepreneurs first.  Advisors shall make all reasonable efforts to provide the best possible assistance to Alumni Entrepreneurs, including assistance by other Advisors where necessary.

• Advisors shall at all times protect the confidentiality of business information provided by their Alumni Entrepreneurs.  No disclosure may be made of such information, or of the existence of a Advising relationship, without prior Alumni Entrepreneur approval.

• Advisors shall not advise two or more competing Alumni Entrepreneurs at the same time without the full knowledge and approval of all parties.

• Advisors shall not accept or participate in advising that creates a conflict of interest between the Alumni Entrepreneurs' and the Advisors’ outside business, financial, or personal interests.

 

• Advisors are unpaid volunteers.  Advisors shall not charge fees, nor accept honoraria or any things of value as payment or gratuity for any advising services provided through the BASE Team program.

• Advisors shall not accept payment or reimbursement from Alumni Entrepreneurs for travel or any other expenses directly or indirectly related to any advising services provided through the BASE Team program.

• Advisors shall not accept fees, commissions, honoraria or gratuities, or any things of value from third parties as a result of recommending any services, equipment, or supplies to Alumni Entrepreneurs; nor shall they recommend to Alumni Entrepreneurs the purchase of goods or services from firms in which they have a direct or indirect financial or personal interest.

• If advising Alumni Entrepreneurs about obtaining professional or other services or goods, Advisors shall identify, whenever feasible, several sources from which the Alumni Entrepreneurs may select.

 

• In the course of providing advice through the BASE Team program, Advisors shall not promote, recommend, solicit or propose Alumni Entrepreneurs use of the Advisors’ own professional services, or any products or services offered by businesses which employ the Advisors, or in which the Advisors have any direct or indirect interest.  Advisors shall not provide any such services or products to the Alumni Entrepreneurs, regardless of any direct requests by the Alumni Entrepreneurs.

• BASE Team advising may never be used as a source of or basis for developing business contacts for personal or professional gain.

• Advisors shall not directly or indirectly become officers, directors or shareholders, or provide funding (by way of investing, loans, or otherwise) to any Alumni Entrepreneur business or organization that is seeking advising assistance from the BASE Team, or from any Alumni Entrepreneurs that have received advising within three years of the end of the BASE Team advising project.