Dear Cindy – Brochure Battle

I work as a registered massage therapist (RMT) at a health clinic. As part of my agreement with the clinic, I used their template for my business cards and, instead of producing my own brochures, my name is included on the clinic's brochures.

A few months after I joined the clinic, "Jane," also an RMT, joined the clinic. When she started, the clinic owner was away. I don't know if no one told her, or if someone did and she chose to disregard it, but she produced her own business cards and her own brochure! Since they're the only different business cards, Jane's cards stand out from the others at the front desk, and her brochure is the only "apparent" massage therapy brochure on the display. I'm really upset and I don't think it's at all fair. Other than waiting for her to run out of cards and brochures, how should I address this?

Sincerely,

LF

You don't have the authority to tell Jane to remove her cards, or to change her cards, and you don't know if she had a side deal with the owner, so you should talk to the owner, not Jane.

Don't accuse. Say to the owner that since Jane – due to an unfortunate miscommunication – has the advantage of having unique business cards, you would like to enjoy the same benefit (until both of you run out of cards).

The owner then has the options of strictly enforcing the uniformity (i.e., telling Jane to remove her cards), agreeing to allow you to personalize your cards (i.e., leveling the playing field), or telling you to relax. Chances are that the owner will want to promote workplace harmony, so will choose one of the first two options.

But if the owner doesn't see your reasonable concern that the eye – and thus the client – will go to the unique card/brochure, you have the choice of grinning and bearing it, or applying for work at another clinic.