Program Policies & Code of Conduct
To ensure the dialogue that takes place within EPIC Network’s communities, trainings, and events remains relevant and useful for all attendees, EPIC Deal Advisors are expected to observe four simple standards of acceptable behavior:
#1. Be professional and kind
EPIC Network is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone. Be careful of the words that you use. Remember that sexist, racist, and other exclusionary jokes can be offensive and upsetting to those around you, and they can cause insult and harm, even when you don’t intend to do so.
Harassment behavior includes, but is not limited to:
- Offensive, inappropriate, or unwanted comments related to gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, or age, or other protected categories under applicable law
- Sexual images or sexual language in public places
- Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
- Harassing photography or recording
- Sustained disruption of talks or other events
- Inappropriate physical contact
- Unwelcome sexual attention
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behavior
In other words, be kind, and treat others the way you want to be treated.
#2. Adhere to our Branding Guidelines and Code of Conduct
We don’t have a lot of rules, but the ones we do have, we take very seriously. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be able to go after the “bad guys” outside our community who would seek to leverage the EPIC Network brand/community illegally and unethically to pursue their own gains as opposed to the mission of EPIC Network.
So, please take time to review this License Agreement, Code of Conduct and Branding Guidelines (the “Agreement”). Your contact at EPIC Network should be able to provide you with access to these documents, and given the status level to which you are ascending, ignorance will not be considered an acceptable excuse.
If you are not abiding by any of these guidelines, we may give you the benefit of the doubt (see Code #4), but it’s easier if it never comes to that.
Finally, when in doubt, ask for PERMISSION rather than forgiveness, especially when you’re doing something that leverages the EPIC Network logo or branding, or that could take place within or during an EPIC Network community or event.
#3. Bring value FIRST
EPIC Network wants to provide a transparent, trustworthy experience for our visitors, customers, and clients, so while you are welcome to disclose your relationship with EPIC Network at events and in our communities, you should not directly advertise your services except where expressly permitted. (e.g., as a sponsor at an EPIC Network event.)
At EPIC Network, we define “disclosure” as a factual statement about your relationship with EPIC Network, your experience with EPIC Network products and training, and the name of the business you represent. The purpose of “disclosure” should be to inform and clarify, not solicit for business.
Directly advertising and soliciting on behalf of your brand, services, or the brand and services of any associated clients, advertisers, and other EPIC Deal Advisors is NOT permitted within EPIC Network communities, or at EPIC Network events (again, unless you are also sponsoring the event and have express written permission from EPIC Network to do so). EPIC Network believes that if someone is interested in learning more about your business, they will approach you to learn more AFTER you have delivered value in advance, without the need for excessive promotion.
#4. Give the EPIC Network team, your fellow EPIC Deal Advisors, EPIC Coaches, and contributors the benefit of the doubt
We aren’t perfect and we will make mistakes. You probably will, too. We will also likely do things that will annoy and even disappoint one another. It’s also highly likely that other EPIC Deal Advisors, coaches, and other team members will do things you don’t understand and don’t necessarily approve of. In all cases, we ask that you give us and your colleagues the benefit of the doubt.
What is the “benefit of the doubt,” you ask?
Giving someone the benefit of the doubt means separating the way someone made you feel from the way they INTENDED to make you feel. It means being open, honest, and transparent, and giving them the opportunity to explain what they actually meant, or, if necessary, say they’re sorry.
Gossip and backstabbing won’t be tolerated, and if you are unwilling to approach someone who offended you directly, then you probably lack the professionalism and/or humility to be in this group. But hopefully, that isn’t the case, because you wouldn’t even be reading this if we hadn’t already decided that we liked you.
#5. Love the entrepreneur and investor.
We exist to serve entrepreneurs and investors. Entrepreneurs are visionaries, problem-solvers, and job creators. They take risks most people wouldn’t take, and when things go wrong, they take responsibility. When things go right, they share the credit. Investors, especially those building through acquisitions, can change the course of entire families and communities through the wealth and opportunity they create.
We believe it is a privilege to support people who are working to build something bigger than themselves, and we don’t take that lightly. Whether you’re guiding a founder through their first acquisition or helping a seasoned investor streamline operations, you are representing EPIC, and we expect you to serve with care, humility, and a deep respect for the journey they’re on.
#6. We raise the bar.
Past success does not guarantee future success, and past failure does not define you. That is why we expect everyone in our community, including our Advisors, to get a little better every day. We raise the bar by constantly learning, asking better questions, and leveling up the people around us.
We are not intimidated by those who are smarter or more talented. We hire them, partner with them, and collaborate with them. If you have the opportunity to raise the standard in the room, we expect you to do it.
#7. We do the dishes.
No work is beneath us. Sometimes the most impactful thing you can do is something small and unnoticed, answering a member’s simple question, updating a shared doc, hopping on a last-minute call, or volunteering your expertise when no one asked you to. We do what is needed, when it is needed, especially when it helps the community or client move forward.
We believe leaders serve. So if the dishes need to be done, let’s do them. That is what it means to be part of this team.
Branding Guidelines
This summarizes the guidelines and requirements for the proper use of the EPIC Network (“EPIC”) intellectual property by EPIC Deal Advisors (“EDAs”).
All EDAs must follow these guidelines when using EPIC Network intellectual property and brand assets in their consulting business or otherwise.
Non-EDAs, spin-off businesses, software application developers, and others may NOT use any of our intellectual property without the prior express written permission of EPIC Network.
EPIC Network customers (including EPIC Deal Fast Track clients and EPIC Board members) have limited permission to discuss and deploy our intellectual property with their own employees and team members, but they cannot use our intellectual property outside of their organization without the prior express written permission of EPIC Network.
EPIC Network Logo Usage
During the term of this Agreement and provided that you are in compliance with all of your duties and responsibilities associated with this Agreement, you may use our trademarks, provided that you follow the usage requirements in this section. You must: (i) only use the images of our trademark that we make available to you inside the EPIC Deal Advisor Portal, without altering them in any way; (ii) only use our trademarks in connection with the EPIC Deal Fast Track or EPIC Board Programs or as otherwise permitted by this Agreement; and (iii) immediately comply if we request that you discontinue use for any reason. You must not: (i) use our trademarks in a misleading or disparaging way; (ii) use our trademarks in a way that implies we endorse, sponsor or approve of your services or products; (iii) use confusingly-similar names or marks (i.e. “EPIC,” “EPIC Network,” “EPIC Deal Fast Track,” “EPIC Board,” etc.) in your own product names, service names and/or URLs in a way that would imply a direct association, endorsement, sponsorship or approval of your products, services and/or URLs by us; (iv) use images of our trademarks that are not made available to you by EPIC Network in your EPIC Deal Advisor Portal; (v) apply to register confusingly-similar names or trademarks in the U.S. or anywhere in the world; or (vi) use our trademarks in violation of applicable law or in connection with anything that in our sole discretion is an obscene, indecent, or unlawful topic or material. This is a limited, non-transferable license to use our trademarks, and title to our trademarks remains with us at all times as does all goodwill in our trademarks including any goodwill that accrues through your use of the trademarks.
Here are some additional tips and suggestions to ensure you stay compliant with these guidelines.
The DOs and DON’Ts:
- DO use only approved logo files provided in your EPIC Deal Advisor Portal.
- DO maintain the current aspect ratio of logos and other brand assets at all times.
- DO use a full-color version of the logo whenever possible.
- DO place the EPIC Network logo in a secondary position to your own brand or logo when creating materials for the program.
- DON’T recolor or alter in any way approved logo files.
- DON’T use the logo in a misleading or disparaging way.
- DON’T use the logo in your website favicon, company logo, or social media profile.
- DON’T position the logo on materials that you create in a manner that implies that it is an official EPIC Network document or tool.
- DON’T co-brand or remove the EPIC Network branding on any frameworks, worksheets, tools, or other licensed content/intellectual property except where expressly permitted. (When in doubt, ask first.)
- DON’T use the logo in any way that would imply a direct association, endorsement, sponsorship or approval of your products, services and/or URLs by EPIC Network.
Office Decor:
EPIC Deal Advisors may integrate approved EPIC Network logos into their office decor and training rooms to indicate affiliation with EPIC Network as long as your own brand is positioned as the primary brand and the EPIC Network logo is positioned as a compliment to your own brand. In other words, you may not imply or give the impression that you are an EPIC Network office or location, nor may you suggest that you are an EPIC Network employee or team member. When in doubt, contact EPIC Network for approval before investing in office decor.
Promotional Items:
EPIC Deal Advisors are not permitted to use the EPIC Network logo or branding on their own promotional items without prior written approval from EPIC Network. When requesting approval, please ensure the following practices are observed for the proposed items:
- Use only high-quality, tasteful items that will not detract from the EPIC Network brand.
- Do not change the aspect ratio of the logos or violate any of the other guidelines listed above.
- Wherever possible, use the full color with the exact colors specified below.
If the material or color you are printing on is not suitable for the full color logo, you may emboss or etch the logo on a material such as leather or glass, or print the entire logo in white or black. Do not use any other colors. For these situations, please contact EPIC Network to obtain the appropriate image file.
Differentiating Your Brand
It is expected that EDAs will invest in building their own brand and identity in their market. As such, you may not imply that you are an owner or employee of EPIC Services Group (EPIC Network), nor may you imply that you are the creator or co-creator of any EPIC Network frameworks, tools, or content.
Here are some guidelines for differentiating your own brand from the EPIC Network brand, and ensuring that you do not cross the line into direct association:
- Accurately represent your relationship. DO make it clear that you’re an EPIC Deal Advisor, NOT a founder, creator, or the organization itself. Include your official designation as a “EPIC Deal Advisor” if you have met the criteria and are in good standing.
- Naming/branding your business. DO NOT use “EPIC,” “EPIC Network,” “EPIC Board,” “EPIC Deal Fast Track,” or any of EPIC’s other registered/unregistered trademarks (with or without geographical descriptors) in your business name, tagline, website domain (URL), email address, logo, phone number, favicon, social media profile pictures, username, or group name.
- Style Guide. DO use original designs, colors, fonts, imagery, and copy to visually distinguish your brand from EPIC Network.
- Website Design and Copy. DON’T directly copy the design, imagery, or verbiage from the EPIC Network website. As a general rule, if the sites were shown side-by-side, a reasonable person should see that they are obviously different and that one was not a copy of the other.
- Social Profiles. DON’T use any EPIC Network logo or images as the primary image in your social media profiles.
- Testimonials and Endorsements. DON’T use the testimonials from the EPIC Network website to imply that those clients are endorsing you or your work.
- Public Distribution of EPIC Network Content. While you may create videos for your clients, DON’T record yourself teaching materials from the EPIC Deal Advisor Portal in written, audio, or video format, and post them on public channels such as Facebook, YouTube, podcasts, blogs, your own publicly accessible website, etc.
- Positioning within the EPIC Community. DO NOT use language that elevates yourself above other EDAs. For example, do not use phrases like “The #1 EPIC Deal Advisor in Florida” or “The Best EPIC Deal Advisor for Marketing Agency Owners.”
- Follow the Guidelines. Be sure that all of your digital and printed content adheres to these guidelines. When in doubt, ask first!
Creating Derivative Content
The EPIC Dealmaking Framework is a proven methodology that, when combined with a set of proprietary tools and strategies (such as the What to Acquire Worksheet, Acquisition Criteria Worksheet, Target Analysis Datasheet, 220+ Creative Funding Strategies, etc.) forms a complete system for acquiring and scaling businesses through creative investments.
While the EPIC Network recognizes that you are operating your own independent advisory practice and are best equipped to assess the unique needs of each member, we strongly recommend that EPIC Deal Advisors teach and implement these tools and frameworks fully, without omitting key steps or altering the process as outlined in EPIC’s Business Acquisition Flywheel and supporting materials.
Following the EPIC method ensures consistency, clarity, and higher success rates for the members we serve while preserving the integrity of the system we’ve built together.
Omissions
You are not required to consult on every tool/framework to every client. We understand that not all tools are applicable in all situations, but we do require that you fully understand and are able to teach each tool in the core EPIC M&A materials to maintain your status.
Additions
You may recommend additional content, tools, or disciplines to your clients, but you must be clear that it is NOT an EPIC Network tool, nor should any additional tools be rebranded or marketed in a way that would imply they are EPIC Network tools or frameworks. Furthermore, if you derive any income or other benefits (like discounts or credits) from recommending additional resources, content, or tools, you must disclose that when making the recommendation.
Tweaks and Changes
You are free to make tweaks and changes to the presentation slide decks provided to you as an EPIC Deal Advisor. Specifically, adding in your own branding and client-specific examples is recommended, and deleting and rearranging slides is permitted as long as you do not take steps to claim that these changes create your own copyrighted, derivative work.
Except where explicitly permitted, you may NOT alter or rebrand any of the Tools or Frameworks in EPIC Network’s Training Library (or Training Portal) without the written approval of EPIC Network. While we will consider all alteration requests from active EDAs, as a general rule:
- You may NOT change/alter the name of the Tool/Framework.
- You may NOT remove or alter the EPIC Network logo.
- You may NOT remove or alter the EPIC Network copyright statement.
- You may NOT change the content within the Tool or alter any titles or descriptions.
- Formal requests for Tool changes and alterations can be sent to support@epicnetwork.com. Please allow at least 14 days for review, and DO NOT begin using the altered version until you have received written approval from EPIC Network with a copy of the approved version attached. At that point only the approved version may be used, and any further changes would need to be sent for a new approval.
Creating Original Audio, Video, or Written Content
The Intellectual Property created and/or owned by EPIC Network includes, but is not limited to, all content found in:
- The EPIC Deal Advisor Portal,
- The EPIC Network Training Library (or Training Portal),
- EPIC Network books (including “Business Wealth Without Risk”, “Zero Down”, and “Consulting For Equity”),
- EPIC Network products/courses (including all Master Classes, Intensives, Sprints, and Accelerators found in the EPIC Network Members area, and
- The epicnetwork.com website, including all blog posts, lead magnets, reports, newsletters, emails, etc.
All of these materials are protected by copyright, and replicating any of this content for your own use is forbidden. In other words, while you are permitted (and even encouraged) to write about your own perspectives, insights, and experiences as an EPIC Deal Advisor, you may not outright copy any of EPIC Network’s content. When producing your own content (written, audio, video, etc.), at least 80% of each piece of content must be original to you, and appropriate credit to EPIC Network must be given anytime you reference an EPIC Network Tool, framework, system, or concept.
So give credit where credit is due, and NEVER pass off someone else’s content as your own.
Our Trademarks and Intellectual Property
EPIC Network has trademark rights in each of the terms below, as well as in our stylized E logo. Each of the terms below have a specific meaning within EPIC Network and must be used appropriately, including by abiding by all of the guidelines and rules in this Agreement relating to our trademarks:
- EPIC Network
- EPIC Board
- EPIC Deal Fast Track
- EPIC Deal Team
- EPIC Advanced Acquisitions
- EPIC Business Buyer Basic
Tools:
As an EPIC Deal Advisor, you are granted a limited license to teach and deploy the tools made available to you inside your EPIC Deal Advisor Client Portal. Please note that tools can be added or removed from the portal at any time, but what follows is a list of some, but not all, of the tools currently available to use by our EPIC Deal Advisors:
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Termination of License and Obligations:
IMPORTANT: Only trained and approved EPIC Deal Advisors are permitted to use our approved logos and branding. If you fail to meet expectations of an EPIC Deal Advisor or this Agreement is terminated for any other reason, or if you use our intellectual property in a way that EPIC Network deems to be inappropriate or damaging to the brand, your right to use the EPIC Network trademarks, logo, branding, and other intellectual property will be terminated and you must immediately remove such intellectual property from your business and terminate using any and all EPIC Network intellectual property. See “Term and Termination” section of this agreement for more details.
EPIC Network Communities and Events
Engagement in EPIC Network Communities:
All EPIC Deal Advisors are expected to abide by all stated Rules, Terms and Conditions, and Usage Guidelines for all EPIC Network Communities.
You must use EPIC Network Communities for their intended purpose only, and must not use them for solicitation or advertising purposes unless we otherwise agree. Your communications and content should typically relate to mergers and acquisitions, investment best practices, and EPIC Network Products and their use. If, in the course of providing valuable advice, feedback or content in our communities, a community member contacts you to inquire about your services, you may engage that community member outside the community, but only if the community member reaches out to you first to request additional information. In such cases, you must notify the EPIC Program Manager or a member of the EPIC team of the exchange. If the community member ultimately enrolls in or purchases your services of any kind outside of EPIC, EPIC is entitled to up to fifty percent (50%) of the total transaction value.
To avoid the perception of solicitation, we ask that you encourage interested users to contact you inside the community. If users wish to contact you outside the Community, we encourage you to issue a statement such as, “I’m glad you found my feedback helpful. If you need more one-on-one help, I am an EPIC Deal Advisor and I would be happy to chat with you about the services we offer. If you would like more information, you can email me at [YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS]…”
If, in the course of providing valuable advice, feedback, or content in our communities, a community member contacts you to participate in a deal, acquisition, or transaction alongside them, EPIC is entitled to participate in that deal and receive up to fifty percent (50%) of the advisor’s share or economic interest in the transaction. EPIC Network will assist in negotiating and structuring the deal, including documentation and support through the signing process; however, EPIC is not responsible for funding the transaction or covering any associated financial obligations unless otherwise stated or mutually agreed upon in writing. Any alternative deal structure, economic participation, or arrangement must be proposed in writing and approved by an authorized member of the EPIC team prior to execution. Failure to include EPIC Network in any participation of the deal or service will result in a breach of this agreement and forfeiture of your rights as an EPIC Deal Advisor, and EPIC Network Coach, an EPIC Network community member, and any participation in future EPIC opportunities.
You are not permitted to sell, rent, lease, assign, sublicense, distribute, transmit, broadcast, commercially exploit, grant a security interest in, or otherwise transfer, convey, encumber, or restrict any right in the EPIC Network Community or Community Content unless permission to do so is specifically granted to you in writing as a part of an EPIC Network Product.
Engagement at EPIC Network Events:
All EPIC Deal Advisors are expected to abide by all stated Rules, Terms and Conditions, and Usage Guidelines for all EPIC Network Events (including, but not limited to, EPIC Network Live, EPIC Board Meeting, Get Scalable Live, Founders Board Meeting).
Unless you are a paid sponsor at an EPIC Network Event, you may not advertise your services, directly or indirectly solicit clients, or in any way compete or sell against any EPIC Network offers or promotions.
If you choose to sponsor an EPIC Event, you are further required to obtain prior, written approval for any offers or promotions you plan to make at the event, at your booth, or in event literature or advertising. Requests for such approval must be submitted at least 30 days prior to the start of the event.
When in doubt, contact us!
Deal Advisor Conflict
From time to time, prospects and clients may engage with more than one EPIC Deal Advisor or coach prior to being assigned the one they will work with. When this happens, do the following:
- Communicate proactively with other EDAs whom the client may have engaged with to ensure an open and honest discussion, and help eliminate confusion and surprises for both the client and the other EPIC Deal Advisor.
- Seek out opportunities to jointly serve the client, especially where there is a balance in specialization.
- Where a shared services plan is not possible, state your case for why you believe you are the best fit for the client. Work hard to win the business, but still encourage the prospect to pick the person they feel will work best with their goals.
- Be professional! Don’t disparage or speak negatively of the competition, as this is a direct violation of our Core Values and Code of Conduct, and could result in your removal from the program. (NOTE: If you truly believe a fellow EDA is not suitable for the program, you should bring this matter to the attention of your Program Manager or a member of the EPIC Network team, NOT a prospect or client.)
- Above all else, put the client first, and do what is in their best interest.
Advisor Requirements
All EPIC Deal Advisors must complete the following activities to become eligible to be an active EPIC Deal Advisor:
- Sign the EDA License & Program Policy Agreement
- Complete the EPIC Challenge and the Core EPIC M&A Content (a.k.a. Advanced Acquisitions, Business Buyer Basic, or equivalent)
- Attend EPIC Deal Advisor Orientation
