Know When To Walk Out The Door
August 28, 2009 by Steven Seppinni
I was invited to be a guest on a global Internet radio program. They asked to interview me for an hour regarding the topic of Internet marketing. I agreed to go on the show and went down to the radio station today.
When I arrived I was asked to sign some documents prior to going on the air. To my absolute surprise one of them was a non-compete agreement. Basically stating that I would not enter into the online radio business now or in the future. When I inquired why they would want me to sign a non-compete just to be a guest on the show the reply was this is our standard agreement.
At this point I was pissed. I said there is no way I would sign a non-compete just to be a guest. Can you imagine NBC or CBS saying to a guest if you appear on one of our shows you cannot be in the TV business. Ridiculous is the first word I think of.
Now I currently do not have any intentions of starting an online radio business but that really does not matter. What matters is I am not willing to limit my future business prospects because someone tells me this is their standard agreement.
I stated to this person I would be a guest but I refused to sign their non-compete. So a phone call was made and the response was that I had to sign in order to go on the show. My response was to say good-bye and I walked out the door.
Are there times a non-compete agreement is reasonable? The answer is certainly yes however both parties need to benefit in order to enact such an arrangement.
I never let anyone bully me into signing anything or agreeing to limit my future prospects to suit their selfish desires. Nor should you. Sometimes it’s best just to walk out the door. Your next opportunity is always closer that you think.
I wish you mentioned the name of the internet radio company. That way others can be warned before wasting time, energy, gas, etc driving there or dealing with anyone. Plus this is exactly the kind of thing which needs to spread virally on the net. It’s so wrong on so many levels. Obviously they don’t think so, but let enough people blog about it and they will change their policies. How can anyone with any expertise on anything agree to never have their own net radio show? These people will have a harder time to find people to speak and in many cases, find advertisers and listeners because this is very negative energy. They are out of touch with all the current thought and policies.
I doubt if the non-compete clause is legal or would hold up in court. I believe in California it’s quite illegal. Well, if they think they can stay in business with such unethical and unreasonable demands, good luck with that!
Thanks for encouraging people to use their common sense rather than be swept off their feet because they’re about to do a radio or television show! Your article is a great reminder for everyone that their personal knowledge is worth something.
I appreciated the distinction you offered as a guideline. I’ll be back for more
of your insights…sounds like you really know what you are talking about..LOL!
Audrey Wegner
http://audreywegner.com
The people of the radio program seem to be paranoid. I don\’t know what else to say. Abide by the rules?
Rivkah
Hello Stephen – got the notice that you were following me on Twitter (thank you!) and came over here to \"check you out\" as I am wont to do before following anyone back. Had to make a comment on this post: First – good for you! That was absolutely ridiculous of them to have that stipulation. Never, in any of the interviews I have done (Not as many as you, I\’m sure, but still probably close to 100 times on everything: radio, magazine, newspaper, blogs, book includes and TV) have I ever been asked to sign a thing. Again, way to go for having not only the presence of mind but also the confidence to stand up and say no.