4 Nick Johnson manages information technology software for a mid-sized commercial construction company. After a promotional presentation to highlight several new products, a vendor offers to buy Nick lunch, which costs less than $20. Nick decides that lunch is such a minor expense that it couldn’t possibly be considered a conflict of interest. Over lunch, the vendor asks Nick if he would be willing to share the names of some of his company’s clients who might be interested in the vendor’s products.

• What issues might there be with the vendor asking Nick to share his contact list?

• Would accepting lunch from the vendor make Nick more or less likely to share his contact list?

• What would you think of Nick’s decision if you were one of his contacts whose information was shared with the vendor?