Let's try this again. Can I contact old prospects that I didn't sell yet?

Question

In other words, if I was working on opening an account (printer supplies) had not sold yet, can I re contact that prospect at my new location? And why can't I contact clients one time only, as a courtesty, letting them know where they can contact me? How is that unethical?

Answer 1

In most cases, as a salesperson, you had a contract which had a non-solicitation clause in it. The reason employer's put this in is, even though you have brought the account in, the business generated is actually the companies, not yours. By contacting the client once you have left to tell them how to reach you is actually an attempt to take that business away from you prior employer. Most companies put a time limit. Once that time limit is met (6-18 months) then you can contact that client.

Answer 2

When you work for someone else, all of your work belongs to someone else, not yourself.

All lists (customers and prospects) you had previously are considered proprietary data owned by the previous employer, especially if they had indeed established a business relationship. You can be sure the old company will have someone call your prospects. If they hear you've been talking to them, they may sue you for breach of your employment agreement. If your only intention is to swap personal gossip (what weird your kids ate that week, etc), there's probably no breach of ethics but it could still be viewed with suspicion.

You're pretty much stuck looking for new prospects.

If the customers seek you out, you may not be responsible for business your former employer loses, but consult your new company's lawyer.

Any prospects you had not yet entered into the old company's database may otherwise go unserved. You'll have to take your best guess as to whether you can contact them (keep in mind they may call your old employer looking for you).