Code of Ethics

Our Code of Ethics is Grow and Scale’s internal set of principles for guiding ethical conduct in competitive intelligence and secret shopping. This allows employees, partners and clients to establish their own ethical benchmarks. We encourage all stakeholders to uphold the Code, consistently demonstrating the highest levels of integrity and respect in their actions.

Set of Principles for Competitive Intelligence

Never pretend or lie about the intention of intel gathering calls

We ensure full transparency when conducting competitor calls by being truthful about their purpose and objectives. This means that while the nature of the call may be discreet, do not misrepresent its intentions or manipulate the conversation to deceive the other party. Ethical integrity is at the core of this practice, as honesty builds trust and maintains the credibility of the company’s operations.

Always exhaust secondary research possibilities before using an investigator or consultant to uncover additional information

Before resorting to more direct forms of intelligence gathering, such as employing an investigator or consultant, prioritize conducting thorough secondary research. This includes analyzing publicly available data, reports, and other non-intrusive sources to gather relevant information. Only when these avenues have been fully explored and deemed insufficient, turn to more advanced methods, ensuring minimal intrusion and maintaining ethical standards.

If the identity of the client is close to being revealed, cease the project immediately

In situations where there is a risk of the client’s identity being compromised during a intel gathering project, immediately halt the process. Protecting client anonymity is paramount, and we are committed to upholding confidentiality by canceling any activity that could potentially expose sensitive information. This proactive measure ensures the security and trustworthiness of the engagement.

Never offer gifts to competitor employees in exchange for confidential information‍

We maintain a firm stance against any unethical tactics, such as bribing employees of competing organizations to access confidential information. This practice is not only illegal but also fundamentally against our principles. The company relies solely on legitimate and ethical methods for gathering intelligence, ensuring that all actions align with professional standards and legal frameworks.

Never obtain passwords to a competitor’s site without authorization to research pricing and offerings information

Unauthorized access to a competitor’s website or systems, including obtaining or using passwords without permission, is strictly forbidden. We believe in maintaining fair competition and ethical boundaries when conducting research on competitor pricing or offerings. All investigations are done in compliance with legal regulations and industry standards, ensuring no breaches of cybersecurity or privacy.ebsite.

Never tap phone calls or hack competitor email accounts

We strictly prohibit any illegal activities, such as wiretapping phone calls or hacking into email accounts, in pursuit of competitive intelligence. These invasive tactics violate privacy laws and ethical codes, and we are committed to avoiding any practices that could compromise the reputation of the company or the privacy of others. All intelligence gathering is done through legal and transparent means.

Do everything in your power to protect identities

To safeguard the identities of all individuals involved in competitive intel, we employ comprehensive protective measures. This includes blurring out faces, redacting names, addresses, or other personal details, and editing audio recordings to remove any identifying information. These steps ensure that the privacy of all parties is respected, and that sensitive information remains confidential throughout the process.

Never breach NDAs if confronted with a client

We take non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) seriously and strictly adhere to their terms, even when faced with inquiries or confrontations from clients. The company is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all agreements, contracts, and business arrangements, ensuring that no proprietary information or trade secrets are compromised. NDAs serve as the foundation for trust, and we upholds them without exception.

Always use professional consultants with technical and/or domain expertise when gathering intel

Enlist only highly qualified professionals who possess the necessary technical knowledge and domain expertise when collecting intel. This ensures that the process is executed with precision and that the results are accurate and insightful. These agents are trained to conduct their work ethically and with the utmost respect for the involved parties, further enhancing the quality and integrity of the intelligence gathered.

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