Misleading websites

[RedEarth]

If you were aware of an archaeological contractor whose website was, to say the least, somewhat misleading would there be anything you could do to effectively complain about it? What if the person largely responsible was an IfA member and made quite a big play about that fact?

In the case I am thinking of the organisation in question is effectively a one man band working out of their house (before anyone starts, this is not an attack on all one man bands). However, the website and other advertising literature is vague and misleading enough to give the impression that there is a much larger team (there might be for all I know, but I'm certainly not aware of any other employees). In fact, it specifically talks about a 'management team' and 'consultation team'.

The question therefore is, just how morally bankrupt is this sort of behaviour? Is it a matter for the IfA, for Trading Standards? Or I am just being a bit ungenerous, bitter, and lacking in imagination?

[oldgirl]

You could contact the IfA if you considered that the information contained within the website breached the Code of Conduct. http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ic...onduct.pdf

However, I'm not sure which of the principles (if any) would be breached by this.

It may be that this person is working with other professionals in the area. I've certainly been part of a small organisation that set up a loose working agreement and supported each other on larger projects. They may also have people lined up for when any particular project starts up. I've also been involved in running a quite big organisation (up to 50 odd people) where the majority of the work was managed from a one bedroom house.

So, really, they may be entirely above board! Why are you worried about it though? Are you concerned that they may undercut on price and then not be able to do the job?

[BAJR Host]

Talking yourself up is one thing... misleading is another.

I am a one man band, but can put together a 'team' if needs be, of other individuals

Woudl I be wrong to say that I have a team? perhaps not exactly sitting next to me, but then that will be the premise of BAJR Federation, we (as individuals ) can come together to form a team.

I too work from my house, but call it my office (as that section of my house is indeed my office - for insurance purposes - as is my car insurance, etc)

I often get people calling BAJR, asking to talk to the executive or the advertising section, or the department that deals with goverment consultations.. (I sometimes even say... hold on, I will put you through, then answer 'hello' ) Perceptions .. its all down to perception.

The big question would be, if they are misrepresenting themselves on such a scale that they are unable to do the job... now if that was the case, they would not last long.

People do like to make a big thing about being a member of this or that... personally, I leave letters off .. as I am confident enough without them. but hey... we all do it...

Unless they are claiming to do things they can't... I would just ignore it.

"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli

[drpeterwardle]

Since April last year all advertising had to be 100% true before this you were allowed "advertisers puff" I think that was the right term. So for example consider this:

"advances the practice of archaeology and allied disciplines by promoting professional standards and ethics for conserving, managing, understanding and promoting enjoyment of heritage"

Is this 100% true and is it the whole truth or is it debateable?

Similarly consider this:
HOW LONG WILL ARCHAEOLOGY DELAY YOUR DEVELOPMENT?
WILL YOU GET LISTED BUILDING CONSENT?
What will it cost? Will planning permission be refused?
How do you manage the risk?

For a quote to find the solution
and for advice you can understand

Contact

"The archaeology at Gilberts Farm was the model of best practice"
English Heritage


"Thank you for the report on the cart shed at The Bell, Aldworth. I've had a look through this and I think that you should be congratulated on an excellent report. This is the standard that we hope to see for all building recording in the district"

Duncan Coe, Archaeological Officer, West Berkshire Council

"The report is absolutely fascinating"
Mark Newton, Chief Executive Officer, Worcestershire County Cricket Club

Again is this true or is it debateable the second one is from my own web site http://www.historicenvironment.co.uk . I would suggest that getting advertising 100% right is very difficult. It is put easier to criticise that it is to out the material togethar. The use of the term one man band is patronising and without seeing what is present (email me a link and I will give you a view we cannot comment. There are many positives from working out of your house so yes at present I think you are being "a bit ungenerous, bitter, and lacking in imagination?"

IF any body fins anything misleading on my web site please let me know.

Dr Peter Wardle

[RedEarth]

quote:Originally posted by oldgirl

You could contact the IfA if you considered that the information contained within the website breached the Code of Conduct. http://www.archaeologists.net/modules/ic...onduct.pdf

However, I'm not sure which of the principles (if any) would be breached by this.

It may be that this person is working with other professionals in the area. I've certainly been part of a small organisation that set up a loose working agreement and supported each other on larger projects. They may also have people lined up for when any particular project starts up. I've also been involved in running a quite big organisation (up to 50 odd people) where the majority of the work was managed from a one bedroom house.

So, really, they may be entirely above board! Why are you worried about it though? Are you concerned that they may undercut on price and then not be able to do the job?

Thanks Oldgirl for those very sensible points. Perhaps I am over reacting and being mean, and largely it does come down to being undercut by someone who may or may not be claiming things that cannot be substantiated. It is the level of non-information that I find annoying, it makes it difficult to interpret what is actually going on. When all that clients are interested in is the cheapest price this sort of media manipulation makes a huge difference.

I also find it difficult to understand how anyone working from their house can be adequately equipped to carry out anything but the very smallest projects as it strikes me that it would be very difficult to, for example, deal with finds and samples in a professional manner. Do curators not consider this a cause for concern? There seems to be two conflicting attitudes - we want to be seen as professional, but there is allowed to be a certain amount of ad hoc near-amateurishness (spell check!) as well.

[RedEarth]

Well that's me told then, it would appear that everyone's at it to some degree!

Personally, I go for absolute openess but perhaps I should try and bit of puff in future... perhaps I can combine huff and puff!

PS I certainly don't intend the terms one man band to be patronising. I don't see it as such.

[BAJR Host]

As Peter says.... as long as the basis is true then no trouble.

I can assure you as well, that working from a house, does not translate into amatuer ad hoc arrangements, it just means transforming sections of your house

"Entrepreneurs are simply those who understand that there is little difference between obstacle and opportunity and are able to turn both to their advantage."
Niccolo Machiavelli

[oldgirl]

In the case of running a biggish organisation, we also had other premises for storage and finds processing, we just had the 'office' part at home. It meant we didn't have to go very far in the mornings!

I know a number of small and medium sized organisations that work from a 'home' base, usually with offices in extensions/outbuildings etc.

If you go for huff and puff people might think you're a big bad wolf.....

[oldgirl]

PS and of course lots of specialists work from home with no problems at all, but I'm thinking that you're looking at a potential fieldwork contractor....

[Tile man]

I wouldn't say that storing 20+ boxes of tile in my attic office/lab is totally without problems[8D]...