Ethical Code
Ethical Code
This Code of Ethics forms part of the Company’s Policies & Procedures and all other regulations and agreements currently in place, which binds every Independent Business Owner (IBO). Any serious breach of the Code, Policies & Procedures, regulations and agreements in place will involve action(s) being taken by the company in accordance with the company Policies & Procedures.
The Code of Ethics explains proper conduct of business for IBOs to practice.
Additionally, the Company encourages all IBOs to obtain and observe the Code of Ethics that has been provided by any Company in their respective countries if and where applicable.
It is a mandatory requirement that IBOs comply with the Code of Ethics at all times.
Section 1 – CONDUCT
DEALING WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC
1.1 Contact & Communications
An IBO:
(a) Will at all times, when contacting anyone either from a telephone list or by other means, respect the privacy and wishes of the person contacted.
(b) Will never engage in objectionable or abusive conduct, unfair or aggressive conduct when contacting or dealing with any other person in relation to Hopestake or opportunity it provides.
(c) Will offer the opportunities of, and association with Company, on its merits without exaggeration, concealment, curiosity or misrepresentation.
(d) Will ensure they maintain their personal presentation in dress, language and documentation to the highest possible standard.
(e) Will observe the provisions of the law and good manners regarding times and days when making the call and appointments.
1.2 Presenting Opportunity
An IBO presenting the Business Plan at any time, conducting a Training Event or Seminar or any Official Meeting will:
(a) Not falsely represent to any person any details regarding the financial rewards available under the Hopestake Plan.
(b) Not make any false or misleading representations about the features of Company’s products, services and programs, including as to their standard, quality, value, characteristics, accessories, uses for a particular purpose, merchantability or benefits.
(c) Not make any false or misleading representations about the price of Company products or services.
(d) Not engage in conduct that is liable to mislead anyone as to the nature, manufacturing process, characteristics, suitability for purpose or quality of any Hopestake products or services.
(e) Not make any false or misleading representations concerning the need by anyone for products or services.
(f) Make it thoroughly clear to any person to whom the IBO discusses the opportunity that financial rewards to person are based on a Person’s individual performance.
(g) Use official literature as approved by Company including forms, scripts and other tools.
1.3 Conducting Business
An IBO must not at any time:
(a) Take advantage of another person’s disabilities or weaknesses, such as illness, age, infirmity, lack of education or unfamiliarity with language.
(b) Actively solicit or demand orders for Hopestake products by anything other than an offer to collate any order an IBO wishes to make, including by the use of physical force, undue harassment or coercion.
(c) Refuse to identify them when requested to do so.
1.4 Explaining the Business Plan
When presenting or discussing the Company Business Plan and the Benefits which might be available, an IBO must generally rely for reference on Company’s literature and observe the following regarding the contents of the Business Plan:
(a) If predictions as to profitability are made, they should reflect what an average person carrying on the Business would achieve under normal circumstances.
(b) If any estimates of profits are made, the assumptions on which they are based should be clearly stated.
(c) Where there is no previous experience on which to base expectations as to profitability, this should be stated when making the representation.
When presenting or discussing the Company Business Plan, an IBO must not make false representations concerning:
(a) Any risks likely being associated with carrying on the Business.
(b) The amount of time the average person would have to devote to carrying on the Business.
(c) The annual expenditure and the annual gross income which the average person carrying on the Business might expect and the method of calculating those figures.
Section 2 – OBLIGATIONS
GENERAL OBLIGATIONS
2.1 Authorization Limit
Authorization of an IBO is limited. They shall refer any matter pertaining to Company to the designated Company Representative. An IBO shall not interfere in any decision making process without prior written approval from the Company Representative.
2.2 Poaching Independent Representatives
Company does not condone the intentional poaching of other competitor IBOs or IBOs from another line of referral ship within the Company Business.
Section 3 – USE OF COMPANY PROPERTY
As trademarks, logos and service marks are registered and owned by Company and/ or its affiliates, all written materials are the copyright of Hopestake (Pvt) Ltd. The use of trademarks, logos or service marks or the publication of copyright materials may only be undertaken with the written authorization from Company and not otherwise.
Section 4 – PRODUCT CLAIMS
Company publishes detailed data about its products which is verifiable, accurate and complete. An IBO must not make claims about any Company products or services unless they are sourced from appropriate official Company literature and accurately reflect the information contained in the appropriate literature.
Section 5 – OBLIGATIONS OF IBOs
5.1 Promote Ethical Business Practice
An IBO will:
(a) Ensure the IBO in his/ her group are aware of this Code and at all times carry out their Business relationships either within the group or with IBOs of the public in a lawful manner, with courtesy and integrity, and in accordance with this Code.
(b) Ensure they remain well informed regarding laws applicable to the Business and duties of an IBO including other essential facts and public policies or regulations which may affect such Business and duties.
(c) Keep confidential and not unethically use information that may be of detriment to another IBO’s Business.
5.2 Company’s Obligations
Company will ensure that:
(a) Its management at all times will act in a manner which does not conflict with the best legitimate interests of an IBO and carry out duties in accordance with professional courtesy and integrity.
(b) IBOs are kept well informed regarding laws applicable to the Business and duties of IBOs and other essential facts and public policies which affect such Business and duties and will comply with all the requirements thereof.
(c) Full cooperation of its management is given to IBOs with respect to advising them about matters which affect them.
(d) It acts in the IBO’s legitimate interest to the best of its abilities.
Section 6 – APPLICATIONS
APPLICATION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS
Company and an IBO will accept the Code of Ethics entirely and observe its provisions.
6.1 Compliance
Company and an IBO will ensure full compliance of the Code:
(a) In Company’s case by Directors, Executives and all other management.
(b) In the IBO’s case by the IBO and their Down lines.
6.2 Administration
Company will administer its dealings with IBOs in a manner that is conducive to compliance of the Code of Ethics.
Section 7 – ETHICAL CONTACT
IBOs must not:
(a) Tout for or on behalf of another Affiliate Company or Direct Selling Company.
(b) Divulge confidential information to unauthorized persons or for unauthorized or unethical purposes.
(c) Discuss financial aspects of other IBO’s Businesses.
(d) Encourage another IBO to change line of referral ship.
(e) Engage in Cross Lining or Poaching.
(f) Encourage or induce any other person to engage in Cross Lining or Poaching.
(g) Use Company’s sponsored Functions, Literatures or CDs to support Cross Lining or Poaching.
Section 8 – POTENTIAL IBO ASSISTANCE
An IBO, either with or without an Up line’s assistance, must at all times complete all relevant parts of an Application in the presence of the Prospect.
8.1 Explanation to Prospect
A Sponsor or Up line must explain to the Prospect, and complete in their presence, the details of the Application Forms so that the Prospect comprehends that they are personally introduced by the Up line or Referrer.
COMPLAINTS
If an IBO becomes aware of a breach of this Code, and wishes to proceed to lodge a complaint, the complaint should be made in writing in accordance to Hopestake Policies & Procedures.
Section 9 – “I AM COMMITTED TO MY SUCCESS”
“Good Business ethics starts with ME, the Leader. As a Company’s IBO, I will:
(a) Be honest and fair in my dealings with Hopestake.
(b) Perform all my professional activities in a manner that will enhance my reputation and the positive reputation established by Company.
(c) Present the Compensation Plan accurately and honestly, clearly portraying the level of effort required achieving success.
(d) Present realistic income possibilities only, and solely in relation to the appropriate effort involved.
(e) Present the benefits and information of the business as stated in the Company’s official literature and from my own personal experiences.
(f) Accept and carry out to my best effort all duties expected of an IBO and Referrer, including training and supporting the Down lines in my organization.
(g) Abide by all Policies & Procedures that are applicable to the operation of my business.
(h) Strive to ensure that my Down lines are satisfied with my service and leadership.
(j) Answer the questions and queries of prospects and down lines fairly and honestly.
(k) Refer only those people that I have developed as my own down lines and/ or business prospects.
(m) Always encourage prospect(s) developed by their initial referrers to be referred by them as well.
(n) Be clear that Hopestake is an Affiliate opportunity in which my income is related to my Hard Working and leadership skills as well as my own personal efforts.
(p) Treat all prospects, down lines and associates with respect, goodwill and professional courtesy.
(q) Not entice down lines from outside my Line of Referral ship to sign under my organization.
(r) Not misrepresent the Company business in any way.
(s) Not use any advertising that I know may be false or misleading.
(t) Be fair and just to my down lines and associates, and not engage in practices that may reflect unfavorably on myself, my organization, the Company, and/ or the industry.
(u) Conduct myself in such a manner as to reflect only the highest standard of integrity, frankness and responsibility because I recognize that my actions as an IBO with Company have far-reaching effects.
(v) Use the information contained in all Company websites for my personal, non-commercial use only.
(w) Not create any unapproved or illegal websites, which may tarnish the image of Company and its related companies.
