Take Offline

Actually, it may well be in their best interests. If you have more business, you stay in business, which means they get to keep availing themselves of your expertise. People have a tendency to imagine everything's a competition somehow, and act accordingly -- which can be counterproductive for their interests, because often cooperation is more productive.

So . . . I wouldn't say it necessarily isn't in their interests to help a consultant they like get more business. I might, however, say that they think that's the case, and will act accordingly.

It's kind of a subtle difference, but an important difference nonetheless.