REALITY
CHECK
Perception is Important!
During the recent Calgary Flames surprise playoff run, I
was in a large retail outlet that was holding a free
draw for some sets of playoff tickets. Winners had
to be present or else another draw occurred. As I
waited, I noticed a number of staff entering the
contest.
My immediate thought was...what if all the tickets are
won by staff members? How will that look to all
the shoppers and members (this organization has
members).
Associations can be involved in draws and other means of
awarding prizes, etc. Some may allow staff to be
winners, and some may not.
What is the right way to handle these situations?
Well, the following private sector restriction is pretty
common with corporate promotions --
Employees of XYZ Corporation, affiliates,
subsidiaries, sponsors, advertisers, advertising and
promotion agencies and their immediate family members
and/or those living in the same household of each are
not eligible. Decisions of the judges are final.
Associations could avoid problematic situations by
developing a similar policy (or contest rule) in
advance, and making sure everyone knows it.
In the example described above, the organization would
have been better off to keep one set of tickets for a
staff-only draw than to mix staff and shoppers/members
in the same draw.
However, even with a mixed draw, the issue would have
been somewhat less problematic if the eligibility rules
were clearly identified for anyone participating or
contemplating participation.
The bottom line is...that perception matters.
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