Is this ethical?

[JosephLeo]

I am currently a one man show. But I am wondering if it's ethical to make myself look more that a "computer guy" and more of a company by saying things like "We at Nerds for Hire" or "I'll send it back to the office" meaning my garage outfitted to be an office.

I feel a bit naughty, but I do plan on opening a shop by the end of the year. I found some great deals in my area, a 900sq. ft. $1,200/mo. NNN retail shop located in a strip mall around the corner from me. It's still being built and won't be finished till the end of the year. I also plan to involve one of my old friends here in Lakewood in my business as a staff member very soon as well.

But let's say I don't go through with all of this. Would it still be ethical?

 

[14049752]

What's wrong with just being honest? You can still say "workshop" or "office" or whatever if you have a home office.

I'm also not implying that what you're saying is dishonest or unethical...but I see no reason why you should purposefully hide that you're a one-man operation.

 

[Cybjun]

If you have a business license then it proper to refer to use "we" to refer as a part of the business. as far as the using a garage as an office. I dont see anything wrong with that work space is work space.

 

[Martyn]

I asked this recently to a friend of mine who is an entrepreneur. He said always say we as this gives the impression you are a company not a one man band. Companies like the idea you have the resources. He said you can always turn work down but it's better to get the offer than to not get it at all.

You can always say if they do find you are a one man band you plan to expand shortly. I plan for my son to join me when business picks up.

 

[Rider]

"Back to the office" is no problem, it's your garage, you can refer to it as an office if you like. "We" is a bit misleading but you can justify it if you have a family member or girlfriend that acts in a support role. For instance, does your girlfriend occassionally take calls for you? There's your "we" right there. Symantics is an art. I despise lieing and I avoid it at all cost. I will, however, state something in a way that means one thing but strongly suggests another. Another for instance, "I'll take this computer back to the office and a technician will get right on it." As long as you get right on it, that is not a lie what so ever. It does, however, imply that someone other than you will look at it.

Back to the girlfriend, you can also say "I'll take this back to the shop and make sure a technician gets right on it. And, as is company policy, someone from the office will keep you updated on the progress and notify you the moment it is ready." This statement is entirely true and although you alone are the company, it certainly doesn't sound that way. It also implies you have considerable infrastructure, a shop (the garage) and an office (the corner where the phone is).

Big business uses symantics all the time so it's certainly ok for the little guy to do the same. Just don't lie.

Rider

 

[Majestic]

I am currently a one man show. But I am wondering if it's ethical to make myself look more that a "computer guy" and more of a company by saying things like "We at Nerds for Hire" or "I'll send it back to the office" meaning my garage outfitted to be an office.

I feel a bit naughty, but I do plan on opening a shop by the end of the year. I found some great deals in my area, a 900sq. ft. $1,200/mo. NNN retail shop located in a strip mall around the corner from me. It's still being built and won't be finished till the end of the year. I also plan to involve one of my old friends here in Lakewood in my business as a staff member very soon as well.

But let's say I don't go through with all of this. Would it still be ethical?

First of all if you're operating a business you can simply say your office. It really makes no difference whether you have a retail shop or not as long as you can get the job done. Don't feel self-conscious about this, it's not necessary. Furthermore, until you expand enough where it justified the need for the extra overhead expenses why even bother to open up a shop? When you're ready do it but there's no point to expand without the need to.

Be confident, no need to justify yourself. You don't need the approval of your clients. You need to make yourself a solid reputation to begin with.

Majestic

 

[iptech]

I am currently a one man show. But I am wondering if it's ethical to make myself look more that a "computer guy" and more of a company by saying things like "We at Nerds for Hire" or "I'll send it back to the office" meaning my garage outfitted to be an office.

I feel a bit naughty, but I do plan on opening a shop by the end of the year. I found some great deals in my area, a 900sq. ft. $1,200/mo. NNN retail shop located in a strip mall around the corner from me. It's still being built and won't be finished till the end of the year. I also plan to involve one of my old friends here in Lakewood in my business as a staff member very soon as well.

But let's say I don't go through with all of this. Would it still be ethical?

Not really, but I'm sure you'll do it anyway.

Thanks for asking us to condone your lack of professional ethics.

 

[JosephLeo]

What's wrong with just being honest? You can still say "workshop" or "office" or whatever if you have a home office.

I'm also not implying that what you're saying is dishonest or unethical...but I see no reason why you should purposefully hide that you're a one-man operation.

I guess there is nothing wrong with being honest. But it just sounds wrong when I say "I at Nerds for Hire" of course, I could just skip the "we at" or "I at" part and just put Nerds for Hire.

If you have a business license then it proper to refer to use "we" to refer as a part of the business. as far as the using a garage as an office. I dont see anything wrong with that work space is work space.

I don't have a business license unless you mean a D.B.A. which I do have.

I asked this recently to a friend of mine who is an entrepreneur. He said always say we as this gives the impression you are a company not a one man band. Companies like the idea you have the resources. He said you can always turn work down but it's better to get the offer than to not get it at all.

You can always say if they do find you are a one man band you plan to expand shortly. I plan for my son to join me when business picks up.

Thanks for the advice. It does sound more professional, at least in my ears.

"Back to the office" is no problem, it's your garage, you can refer to it as an office if you like. "We" is a bit misleading but you can justify it if you have a family member or girlfriend that acts in a support role. For instance, does your girlfriend occassionally take calls for you? There's your "we" right there. Symantics is an art. I despise lieing and I avoid it at all cost. I will, however, state something in a way that means one thing but strongly suggests another. Another for instance, "I'll take this computer back to the office and a technician will get right on it." As long as you get right on it, that is not a lie what so ever. It does, however, imply that someone other than you will look at it.

Back to the girlfriend, you can also say "I'll take this back to the shop and make sure a technician gets right on it. And, as is company policy, someone from the office will keep you updated on the progress and notify you the moment it is ready." This statement is entirely true and although you alone are the company, it certainly doesn't sound that way. It also implies you have considerable infrastructure, a shop (the garage) and an office (the corner where the phone is).

Big business uses symantics all the time so it's certainly ok for the little guy to do the same. Just don't lie.

Rider

I see, thanks. Well yes my wife (not legally married, so I guess girlfriend is correct) does in fact answer my phone. But isn't that going off a long shot. Plus she won't be on any records as she isn't an employee since there isn't any company other than Joseph Leo d.b.a. Nerds for Hire.

First of all if you're operating a business you can simply say your office. It really makes no difference whether you have a retail shop or not as long as you can get the job done. Don't feel self-conscious about this, it's not necessary. Furthermore, until you expand enough where it justified the need for the extra overhead expenses why even bother to open up a shop? When you're ready do it but there's no point to expand without the need to.

Be confident, no need to justify yourself. You don't need the approval of your clients. You need to make yourself a solid reputation to begin with.

Majestic

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.



Thanks everyone so far for the insightful advice. Anyone else have any meaninful input?

 

[Xander]

If you get in the habit of find phrasings and sticking to them, you don't have to play up the fact that you're a one-man band.

"I'll take it back with me to the office and put it on the (not 'my') work bench for testing."
"At eHousecalls, your data's safety is a priority" (rather than '...we consider your data...')
Voicemail: "Thanks for calling... you'll be called back ASAP" (rather than "I/we will call you back...")

Personally, when face to face with a customer, I play up the fact that it's just me. I'm personable, friendly, and never talk down to them. I'm not a faceless corporation.

 

[K007]

correct, if you have a business that is LLC or LTD or INC, then there is we.
1 is the director (in some cases 2 directors are needed)
2 is the secretary
3 is the company itself which is an entity.
Saying we, means your company
Saying we at "My Comapany Name" means at least you and the secretary
Technically speaking is correct to say we.
Misleading, maybe... but what is not misleading in commerce today?
Few examples:
- £9.99
- £199.99
- Was 70.99 now 40.99 (yeah right, as soon as it went on the shelf they put the price label you see now)
- Buy one get second for half price (Sorry, can I buy just the second one please????)
- 5 for 4
and the list goes on....

Edit:
By the way, did any of you read that book called "200% Of Nothing"?
Oh, and another one... "we at company name put 110% effort into keeping our customers satisfied"

 

[Corbin]

I was once told if you have to question something be ethical after you ask once then its most likely not. It was good advice but I don't think its the most ethical to go by.

 

[RegEdit]

Lots of plumbers and electricians operate out of their homes. Just refer to yourself by your company name.
Check local ordinances to see if you can legally have customers show up at your house. Some cities don't allow it and some do. In my area you are allowed no more than one customer per hour, you can't have signs out in front of your house, you can operate from 8 AM to 8 PM, you can't be a burden to your neighbors, etc. Having said all that, if it's illegal in your area it's probably like J-walking or illegal immigration -- rarely enforced.

 

[MobileTechie]

I don't think it's unethical to give the impression of being a more substantial concern as long as you don't actually lie or start saying things like "Sorry I'm just taking the lift to the 8th floor so I might get cut off...morning Sarah how was the wedding?....oh sorry about that I just talking to one of the admin girls".

You're not hurting anyone or taking anything from someone.

Almost all websites use "we" even if there is only an "I". Referring to the room you work in as an office or workshop is perfectly fine.

 

[Eddie]

I use the term "we" when referring to my company even though it's just myself working. It's just a habit I've got in to and have stuck with it.

 

[Hercomputers]

Not really, but I'm sure you'll do it anyway.

Thanks for asking us to condone your lack of professional ethics.

Ohhh...uh, ok-

Joe, I'm out of Central, NJ and it's me right now and I keep it that way (for now) At the same time I'm very general, like I may word my ad or site 'Someome from Her-Computer-Services will get right back to you'. Again, I keep it very general but I don't 'plural-ize' it.

I'm renting office space in a large building near the train station and I wish it was store-front but whatever you have, you can work with it. If, right now it's a garage but it's your's office or work space, you can word it as such. But just be honest...if you're not, it will bite you in the butt and people may be turned off by it. If you're dishonest with any of your advertising, potential customers may start to wonder what else you would be dishonest about. Just my three cents.

 

[K007]

I'm a bit angry now.... I use "we" but I don't rob people.

what a bunch of "concerned citizens" LMAO.
Your customer will come back to you if you did a good job, helo?
This is not a door to door business we are in.
On the other hand, if you ephasize the "I" then a customer could say you are one of those people who think the world about themselves. That is even more dangerous to your business.

Someone said the word "dishonest"....
Well guys, I say "we", and while I may be dishonest by saying "we" (by some standards) then I am more than honest with my prices, unlike some other fellow members who I am reading they are charging an arm and a leg for a hose call or a virus clean-up.
At the end of the day your honesty lies deeply in your customer's mind.
Don't boast about how honest you are, or how dishonest others are.
Ask your customers what they think, and you'll get the right picture.

@iptech
if the push comes to shove, just take it from me, is "I, Myself and Irene"

 

[Cerberus LLC]

No problem

I am currently a one man show. But I am wondering if it's ethical to make myself look more that a "computer guy" and more of a company by saying things like "We at Nerds for Hire" or "I'll send it back to the office" meaning my garage outfitted to be an office.

I feel a bit naughty, but I do plan on opening a shop by the end of the year. I found some great deals in my area, a 900sq. ft. $1,200/mo. NNN retail shop located in a strip mall around the corner from me. It's still being built and won't be finished till the end of the year. I also plan to involve one of my old friends here in Lakewood in my business as a staff member very soon as well.

But let's say I don't go through with all of this. Would it still be ethical?

If you have split personality disorder you are golden. Just kidding. I suppose there is a fine line to walk here. I just ask myself WWJD....oh no that's Jesus. I mean WWCD, what would a customer do? If he/she showed up at your garage/shop that is. Would that hurt you bad when he told everybody his desktop was sitting next to a grinder and some WD40? Or would he say you were being frugal and smart? Hard question to answer here. Just do what you think is right.

 

[K007]

If you have split personality ...

btw Brian are you a one man show?
If yes, then why do sign as President/CEO?
Chief Executive Officer of the board, which board is how numerous?

 

[BostonGeek1]

I would

Stop stressing out over stuff like this. Imagine yourself to be a 5 person shop. You can be Senior Technician, or Service Manager. I would inflate your duties by 1-2 steps to look like a larger shop, but I wouldn't say 'CFO, CEO', or any C-level stuff...that immediately says you're small time.

 

[iptech]

Yet another pointless thread that's dragging Technibble even further down the pan.