Management Case Studies: June 2010

Friday, June 18, 2010

How to Win the Title “Business and Industry Icon of the Decade”?

With the help of Lalu Chaplus, Tivra Utkarsh, the rapidly rising industrialist, had scaled great heights in the business and industrial world.

But it was public knowledge that Lalu Chaplus used to use all the possible unconventional methods bordering on unethical or even illegal practices and they were mainly responsible of his boss Tivra Utkarsh’s phenomenal rise. However, it had been quite impossible for anyone to prove that Lalu Chaplus (and so, Tivra Utkarsh) were using really any unethical or illegal practices. Tivra Utkarsh’s company Soaring Heights had hired the top notch law pundits to make sure to utilize the grey areas of the law so that the methods adopted by Lalu Chaplus always fell into these grey areas and could not be proven as unethical or illegal. And in turn, they brought maximum gains for the company the easy way and in turn to Tivra Utkarsh (and so, to Lalu Chaplus) without being caught by the laws of the land.

The execution was always done by Lalu Chaplus and Tivra Utkarsh was always kept in the background by Lalu. Lalu always made sure that his boss was well protected from the law and projected as Mr Clean. So Utkarsh depended on Lalu fully. This way Lalu became the right hand as well as the left hand man of the industrialist Tivra Utkarsh for which he was being compensated more than sumptuously. Also due to this kind of proximity with the top most boss, Lalu became one of the most feared top level executives and all the people in the organization had to obey him if they wanted to safeguard their jobs. They dared not question the righteousness or otherwise of the diktats of Lalu. His orders were the last words in the company.
Despite becoming stinking rich, Tivra Utkarsh could not get the respectability either within the industry, business and political circles or with the general public. Lalu Chaplus assisted him in buying the respectability he craved for by some means or the other but so far the efforts had dismally failed. So while Tivra Utkarsh amassed tons of money, he just could not buy or earn the respect of the society.

Then one fine morning, an announcement of Business Universe- a prestigious world class business magazine attracted the attention of Lalu Chaplus. In essence, it read like this, “Business Universe wishes to choose the business and industry icon of the decade based on the public opinion of the entire world’s population. Each person can cast only one vote. Multiple entries by one voter will become invalid. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be chosen as the business and industry icon of the decade.” He brought this news item to the notice of Tivra Utkarsh.

On request of Lalu Chaplus, that evening Tivra Utkarsh and Lalu Chaplus had a secret meeting in the confidential sound proof home office of Utkarsh.

Utkarsh asked Lalu, “What was the meaning of showing the announcement of Business Universe magazine?”

Lalu replied, “Mr Utkarsh, today you are one of the top twenty richest people and businessmen on the earth. I wish to see you emerge as the business and industry icon of the decade. So far we have wasted our efforts to win the hearts of the people around us by adopting many means but that did not work. Now, if a highly reputed and serious magazine like Business Universe declares you as the business and industry icon of the decade which you definitely deserve, the whole world will start looking at you that way. You will get tremendous respectability in every strata of society overnight. The magazine Business Universe has great reputation not only among the people connected with industry and business but in the human society as a whole and people take everything published in the magazine as truth and very seriously whatsoever worth that might be.”

Utkarsh interrupted Lalu, “But Lalu, that’s next to impossible. So many industrialists and businessmen of the world who are already more established and more known by the people will always take away the title. It’s absurd. Come on, let us forget it.”

But Lalu was insistent, “Mr Utkarsh, please leave it to me. The greatest satisfaction in my life will be to see you getting installed at the top of the world. And I shall do anything for that. Just leave it to me and don’t ask me questions. Hope, you have always believed in my capabilities and approaches. Believe in me this time too. Do not ask me anything about it till you get crowned as the business and industry icon of the world for the decade.”

Tivra Utkarsh raised his hands in defeat and said, “OK Lalu, I cannot argue with you. I have to give in as I always do where you are concerned. Make sure not to get me into any trouble and then do anything that pleases you. Good luck.”

Then Lalu got into severe action.

He called an emergency meeting of all the heads of I.T. (information technology) departments and administrative chiefs of all the 31 companies of Soaring Heights spread in 9 countries in 4 continents.

Everyone attended the meeting setting aside all the other important pieces of work. Most important work for all of them was to obey the super bosses like Tivra Utkarsh and Lalu Chaplus.

Lalu Chaplus chaired the meeting (Tivra Utkarsh absented himself as a grand strategy). Lalu instructed all the I.T. managers and administrative managers to listen to him with utmost care and attention and not to interrupt him till he finished.

He addressed the meeting by saying, “This is a top secret confidential project of the highest importance to our group. It will be in the interest of you all to make this project a sure shot success. The project is to make sure that the group emerges as the most respected business group in the entire world. For this, first your super leader Mr Tivra Utkarsh should be seen and accepted by the world as the most respected industry and business leader. The famous industry and business magazine Business Universe has organized worldwide contest to choose the business and industry icon of the decade. Who else deserves this title but our super boss? Now, you guys tighten up your belt and start off with what I instruct you. Set up hundreds of kiosks and offices all over various cities and towns of various countries in all the four continents. Equip these kiosks and offices with large numbers of the latest computers and internet connections and the software. Staff them with people who are computer literates on three shifts basis. These temporary employees will cast their votes by using computers and internet in favor of our boss day in and day out under different names without stoppage of even a minute. Hand over these kiosks and offices to our various contractors who will take the responsibility of owning them and supervising their operations.”

Then Lalu Chaplus paused, looked at the attendees of the meeting and was satisfied to see on their faces a weird quizzical look. Then he continued, “As per the magazine Business Universe’s recent announcement the magazine wishes to choose the business and industry icon of the decade based on the public opinion of the entire world’s population. Each person can cast only one vote. Multiple entries by one voter will become invalid. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes will be chosen as the business and industry icon of the decade. So your job is to install all these offices and kiosks within next one week, staff them with employees, hand them over to the contractors and train the contractors on how to conduct the entire operation. The most important thing is that the magazine or their computer software should never suspect that the votes in favor of Mr Tivra Utkarsh are being cast by the same people repeatedly and that the entire operation is being masterminded and managed by us or by the companies of our group Soaring Heights.”

Then he wanted to dismiss the meeting. But one I.T. manager gathered courage to speak out, “But how’s that possible? Such repeated clicks by the same people again and again can be easily caught in the computer system since each such entry leaves a trace behind and we might be caught.”

Lalu was very angry at this I.T. manager’s question which he thought was quite stupid. He rebuked, “Well, any fool understands that. That’s why you have been called to think of all the means to make this whole thing look very genuine and well above any suspicion. And we are paying you the fat salaries to work out whatsoever it requires to achieve it. Write suitable software and do any other damn thing to make sure that the entire plan of ours is finally 100% successful in choosing Mr Tivra Utkarsh as the world icon of business and industry of the decade. The whole thing should look natural. Now get started without wasting a single second.”

Not a single I.T. manager and administrative manager wanted to get fired. No one questioned or talked about the ethical side of this project. They got busy discussing the working details of the entire project. Once they chalked out everything to its finest points, they returned to their respective offices in various group companies of various countries of the four continents.

The contest to select the world icon of business and industry of the decade took place as scheduled by the magazine Business universe.

The results of the poll were declared recently.

And right now the celebrations are on and are being telecast live all over the world and millions of people are watching on their television sets. Business Universe has organized a gala party at a seven star luxury hotel to felicitate Tivra Utkarsh as the world business and industry icon of the decade. A few thousand dignitaries are present in the party and Tivra Utkarsh is the center of attraction and the star of the evening.

It is understood that Tivra Utkarsh got the maximum votes of the public and he beat the runner up (who is one of the most respected and most known business wizard in the world) by around twelve million votes.

All the contestants are still scratching their heads to wonder as to what tricks Tivra Utkarsh played on them that they were unable to conceive and apply to win the crown.

Related Book

"Sensitive Stories of Corporate World" (available from Amazon, get it online)

Read many more management anecdotes/management case studies in the eminent author Shyam Bhatawdekar's best selling book "Sensitive Stories of Corporate World" available online from Amazon as an eBook as well as a printed book.

Other Related Reading

For everything you wanted to know on building leadership and management, refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/

Also, refer our High Quality Management Encyclopedia at: http://management-universe.blogspot.com/

For “out of box thinking” articles by Shyam Bhatawdekar, refer: (Out of Box Ideas) http://wow-idea.blogspot.com/

Read other blogs of Shyam Bhatawdekar at: (Home Page for Writings of Shyam Bhatawdekar) http://writings-of-shyam.blogspot.com

(Democracy) http://democracy-liberation.blogspot.com/
(Design for Manufacture) http://design-for-manufacture.blogspot.com/
(Dining Etiquette and Table Manners) http://dining-manners.blogspot.com/
(Discipline at Work) http://discipline-at-work.blogspot.com/

E
(Effectiveness and Efficiency) http://effectiveness-efficiency.blogspot.com/
(Effectiveness Management: HSoftware) http://humansoftware.blogspot.com/
(Efficiency Techniques: Work study: Motion and Time Study) http://work-study-measurement.blogspot.com/
(Efficient Work Methods or Practices) http://efficient-work-methods.blogspot.com/
(Email Etiquette) http://email-etiquette-manners.blogspot.com/
(Emotions) http://emotion-feeling.blogspot.com/
(Emotional Intelligence) http://emotional-quotient-intelligence.blogspot.com/
(Empowerment) http://employee-empowerment.blogspot.com/
(Enterprise Resource Planning- ERP) http://erp-management.blogspot.com/
(Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneur) http://entrepreneurship-entrepreneur.blogspot.com/
(Entertainment Management- English Movies) http://popular-movies.blogspot.com/
(Entertainment Management- Hindi Movies) http://hindi-movies-choice.blogspot.com/
(Executive Etiquette and Manners) http://executive-manners.blogspot.com/
(Exit Interview) http://exit-interview.blogspot.com/

F
(Financial Ratios and Financial Ratio Analysis) http://financial-ratios.blogspot.com/
(Financial Services) http://finance-related-services.blogspot.com/
(Free and Authentic Notes on Management) http://authentic-management-notes.blogspot.com/
(Functions of Management) http://functions-of-management.blogspot.com/
(Food Management: Recipes, Easy to Cook) http://easytocook-recipes.blogspot.com/
(Food Management: Recipes, Exotic) http://tastetherecipes.blogspot.com/

G
(Games and Icebreakers for Trainers) http://training-games.blogspot.com/
(Gemba Kaizen) http://gemba-kaizen-improvement.blogspot.com/
(General Knowledge Management- GK) http://general-knowledge-gk.blogspot.com/
(General Knowledge Management- Top 5/Top 10 of Everything) http://top-five-everything.blogspot.com/
(Genuine Professional- Long Article) http://professional-genuine.blogspot.in/
(Global Mindset) http://global-mindset.blogspot.com/
(Goal/Target Setting) http://goal-target-setting.blogspot.com/
(Good Boss) http://good-boss.blogspot.com/
(Great Professional) http://professional-genuine.blogspot.in/
(Group Discussion) http://group-discussion-gd.blogspot.com/
(Group Discussion for Job Seekers and Students) http://group-discussion-gd.blogspot.com/
(Group Dynamics) http://group-dynamics-process.blogspot.com/

H
(Health and Safety Management) http://safety-health-management.blogspot.com/
(Health Management- Cholesterol Control) http://controlling-cholesterol.blogspot.com/
(Health Management- Homeopathy) http://homeopathy-medicines.blogspot.com/
(Health Management- Exercises) http://exercises-plan.blogspot.com/
(Health Management- Quit Smoking) http://quit-smoking-plan.blogspot.com/
(Health management- Swine Flu and Its Prevention) http://swine-flu-precaution.blogspot.com/
(Health Management- Walking) http://walking-plan.blogspot.com/
(How to Be a Good Boss?) http://good-boss.blogspot.com/
(How to Get Promoted?) http://get-promoted.blogspot.com/
(How to Save Money?) http://save-money-ideas.blogspot.com/
(How to Save Money?- Long Comprehensive Article) http://manage-moneysaving.blogspot.in/
(Home Management- Home Page for All Home Tips) http://home-tips-tricks.blogspot.com/
(HR Dynamics) http://hrm-dynamics.blogspot.com/
(HR Strategies and Functions) http://strategic-functions-hrm.blogspot.com/
(Human Capital Architecture) http://human-capital-architecture.blogspot.com/
(Human Relations) http://human-relations-aspect.blogspot.com/
(Human Resource Management- Comprehensive Coverage of HRM) http://human-resource-management-hrm.blogspot.com/
(Human Resource Planning) http://human-resource-planning.blogspot.com/
(Human Software- HSoftware) http://human-software-hsoftware.blogspot.com/

I
(I Am Liberated- Life Management) http://i-am-liberated.blogspot.in/
(I Am OK, You Are OK) http://life-positions.blogspot.com/
(Icebreakers and Energizers) http://management-games-icebreakers.blogspot.com/
(Internal Motivation or Self Motivation) http://internal-motivation.blogspot.com/
(Interpersonal Relations) http://interpersonal-relations.blogspot.com/
(Interview Skills) http://interviewing-skill.blogspot.com/
(Interview Preparation for Job Seekers) http://interview-preparation-jobs.blogspot.com/
(Interview Questions) http://interview-question-bank.blogspot.com/

J
(Johari Window) http://johari-window-model.blogspot.com/
(Just in Time Management- JIT) http://just-in-time-management.blogspot.com/

K
(Kaizen) http://kaizen-improvement.blogspot.com/
(Knowledge Management) http://knowledge-management-initiative.blogspot.com/

L
(Lead Time Management) http://lead-time-management.blogspot.com/
(Leadership) http://lead-max.blogspot.com/ and http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com
(Lean Enterprise) http://lean-organization.blogspot.com/
(Learning Organization) http://learning-organization-profile.blogspot.com/
(Life Management- Latest HSoftware Model) http://life-effectiveness.blogspot.in/
(Life Management- I Am Liberated; Freedom from Shackles and Burdens) http://i-am-liberated.blogspot.in/
(Life Management: Success in Life) http://success-complete.blogspot.in/
(Life Management: My Exotic Dream: World Peace and Other Good Things of Life)

http://exotic-dreaming.blogspot.in/

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Profit in Taking the Blame

Funeral of Hoshiyar Sinh became a big affair- beyond anyone’s imagination. He had died while in office of the biggest unit of the conglomerate called Brite Corporation International Limited. Brite Corporation International Limited was still like a family owned organization despite its phenomenal growth and size. When Hoshiyar Sinh died, he held the position of the president of the unit of Brite Corporation and also held an additional responsibility of the department of corporate affairs of the head quarters of the company. The chairman of the company Dhanichand Boman and his son Ajinkya Boman who was the managing director of the company decided to join the funeral procession of Hoshiyar Sinh.

This was seen quite a departure from the usual protocol. And that’s what made funeral of Hoshiyar Sinh a big affair. Normally the family members who promoted and literally owned the company never attended the funeral of any professional employee of the company howsoever highly placed the dead person might have been in the company. Now, Dhanichand Boman and his son Ajinkya Boman who were the senior most members of Boman family- the promoters of the company, were themselves attending the funeral of Hoshiyar Sinh and it was absolutely unusual. Hoshiyar Sinh was a professional manager and had no relationship with Boman family. Therefore, everyone in the company was astonished.

But one employee named Tariq Doshi- an old employee of the unit was not at all surprised. While majority of the employees were new and young in this unit and almost every one of the old employees had either retired or died, Tariq Doshi had been with the company for past more than thirty years. He had joined the company when the company had just started and had just about one small manufacturing unit. At that time he was working in company’s head quarters. After the company grew and had launched this second and the biggest unit of the company he was transferred. He claimed to have seen the entire history of the ups and ups of the company. And he also knew a few inner secrets. And one of them was the reason why Dhanichand Boman and his son Ajinkya Boman had attended Hoshiyar Sinh’s funeral.

When Tariq Doshi returned to his home after attending the funeral, he was in a very pensive mood. It did not go un-noticed by his wife. She coaxed him to release his tension by sharing his worries with her. And Tariq Doshi finally shared with his wife that one secret that was disturbing him throughout the day and even during the past many years.

He said to his wife, “I have been carrying a huge burden on my mind all these years. But with the death of Hoshiyar Sinh, I can share it with someone and unburden myself so that when the death comes to me, I can die peacefully. But, please keep this to yourself and only if you promise to do so, I will tell you, otherwise not.”

His wife was very worried about her husband particularly after listening to what her husband had just told her. So she assured him, “I promise not to divulge a word of what you are about to tell me. But do tell me everything so that you are free of your worries.”

Then Tariq Doshi narrated the following story to his wife:

Dhanichand Boman was a highly ambitious person despite the fact that he could not go past the primary school education because of the dire poverty of his father. He needed to work and earn money. So he left studying at school. Since he was educated only till primary school, it was impossible for him to get any decent employment other than that of a menial laborer. A few times he suffered utter humiliation while on the job. And when he could not bear any more humiliation, he decided to start his own business howsoever small it might be. He thought, “After all in my own business I would be my own master and will save myself of any humiliation from any Tom, Dick and Harry.”

He also thought, “I will get more opportunities for business in a city rather than in my own village. So I must shift to a big city.” So, he shifted to the nearest city from his village along with his wife, his small son Ajinkya and Hoshiyar Sinh- his best friend in the village. Hoshiyar Sinh was also a drop out of the primary school just like Dhanichand.

After going to the city, Dhanichand tried his hand at many types of small businesses using his native wisdom. He knew how to count money and how to count the profits. He also took risks; he had nothing to lose since he was already at the bottom most levels of life. And yes, Dhanichand was a very hard working man and soon he also learnt the street smartness while doing many odd businesses. With this kind of combination of his traits, he met with success in every business he took up. It took him some ten to twelve years before he could save enough money. On the strength of the saved money, he borrowed more money and built up his first unit- a small manufacturing unit.

Soon his first unit made him a mini industrialist in his own right. He thought of becoming a bigger industrialist and soon he expanded the operations and his products became very popular with the customers. He soon developed the brand name and listed his company as a limited company. The share value of the stocks of his company in the share market was progressively going up.

On the home front too Dhanichand was quite successful. With the new found wealth, he was providing his son and his wife all the comforts of life. He enrolled his son Ajinkya in city’s most reputed school and then in the most reputed college. He pampered his son like nobody’s business. Now, his son was almost getting ready to join his business. And one fine morning Ajinkya Boman was installed as the managing director of the company.

Hoshiyar Sinh, Dhanichand’s friend from the village who accompanied him to the city proved to be great help to him in his various businesses. Hoshiyar Sinh was like his man Friday. He was there everywhere with Dhanichand, doing all kinds of odd jobs for him. However, as Dhanichand started flourishing in his business he started keeping distance from Hoshiyar Sinh. Though he still used him for all the odd jobs, his friendship became lukewarm. Hoshiyar Sinh sensed this change. While Dhanichand started becoming richer and richer and prided himself as the chairman of the company, Hoshiyar Singh was given just about a decent salary without any particular title in the company. Hoshiyar Sinh felt hurt by this treatment.

And then that incident took place that catapulted Hoshiyar Sinh’s life and the lives of Dhanichand and Ajinkya topsy-turvy. I know it because I was the only eye witness to the entire happening. I was watching through the peephole of the room where the incident took place.

It took place in Ajinkya Boman’s cabin. Since I had joined the company at its inception, the Bomans knew me quite well and I had an easy access to their offices. So, for some official work I had gone to Ajinkya Boman’s office. When I reached the door of the cabin of Ajinkya Boman, I heard heated exchange of words between some people inside the cabin. My curiosity got aroused and I looked through the peephole.

The overdose of pampering of Ajinkya by his father Dhanichand had made him a spoilt brat. In the process, Ajinkya had become an angry young man- he was short tempered and shouted and insulted the employees for their small little mistakes. He used to throw the files or anything that was handy at them in the rage of anger. He was a poor listener and non-tolerant of people in general.

Knowing this weakness of his son, Dhanichand had deputed his mature friend Hoshiyar Sinh as his son’s assistant like a private secretary to him. But Ajinkya would not spare Hoshiyar Sinh also. Getting insults from Ajinkya and feeling distanced from Dhanichand, Hoshiyar Sinh was a very unhappy man.

Yes, coming back to what I saw through the peephole. I saw Ajinkya shouting at an employee, “Your irresponsible actions have resulted in loss by millions to the company, do you understand? You must die in shame.”

The employee being shouted upon protested, “Sir, you cannot blame me. You only instructed me to do what I did.”

Ajinkya got wild on him, “Hey, you liar. Don’t say that again. I can even kill you for that.”

And then Ajinkya was groping to search something that he wanted to throw at the employee. He did not realize that what came in his hand was a knife and he threw it at the employee with great force. It hit the employee at some delicate part of the body and the employee fell down and soon breathed his last.

That startled Ajinkya and Hoshiyar Sinh and me. Then I heard the voice of Hoshiyar Sinh.

Hoshiyar Sinh took the lead and said, “Ajinkya, just sit down. Don’t move. Let us sort this thing out with a cool mind. First of all I am the only witness to this bloody affair. I can ruin your and your father’s life just the way you have ruined mine by neglecting me and insulting me. You guys have become rich by my support and hard work at all the odd jobs that your father and you could not have done. But what did I get in return- a meager salary and no designation. Now is the time to strike a deal. I am used to all the odd jobs and I will do this last one too. But on my terms and conditions. You guys are going to launch the new unit in the near future, your big manufacturing second unit. You must make me the whole sole in charge of that unit as its president after I come out of the jail. I am willing to take the blame of what happened in this room. You will be a witness in the court proceedings to say that it was an accident in the self defence. To save ourselves from the insane employee who wanted to hurt us, I intervened and by sheer accident the knife went through the body of the employee causing him instant death. For that I will get the jail sentence of not more than couple of years. After I am released from the jail, you and your father will install me as the president of the new unit with all the powers bestowed in me. If you agree, I will call the police and surrender myself and you and your father will make sure that the best lawyer is recruited to handle the case and I get the minimum sentence. If you do not agree with this proposal of mine, I will still call the police and charge you with the murder.”

And then the rest we know. Hoshiyar Sinh made sure that he became the president of the biggest unit of the company. Many more units were added to the company later on but Hoshiyar Sinh took care to see that his unit remained the biggest and he had a say in the corporate affairs of the company by becoming head of corporate affairs department in the head quarters in addition to becoming the president of the biggest unit.

His death took away with him the secret that Dhanichand and Ajinkya think only Hoshiyar Sinh knew. So, Dhanichand and Ajinkya wanted to be sure that Hoshiyar Sinh really got cremated in front of their eyes along with that secret and that’s why they attended the funeral of Hoshiyar Sinh.

Related Book

"Sensitive Stories of Corporate World" (available from Amazon, get it online)

Other Related Reading

For everything you wanted to know on building leadership and management, refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/

Also, refer our High Quality Management Encyclopedia at: http://management-universe.blogspot.com/

For “out of box thinking” articles by Shyam Bhatawdekar, refer: (Out of Box Ideas) http://wow-idea.blogspot.com/

Read other blogs of Shyam Bhatawdekar at: (Home Page for Writings of Shyam Bhatawdekar) http://writings-of-shyam.blogspot.com

What Is the Limit?

Ambalal Patel owned a moderate size business. He had approached his middle age and yet had not struck gold. His only ambition in life was to make money and that too lots of money and that too quickly. He was supplier of a few materials that were required in the chemical industry. He was struggling hard for past fifteen years but till date did not get a good break in his business.

Then one evening while he was attending a social get together, he met one of his old friends after several years. They celebrated their meeting. They had drinks together and started catching up with the events of intervening period. When both of them consumed a good amount of hard liquor, they started talking more intimately and about the secrets of business.

In the process of this exchange, Ambalal Patel opened up his heart and shared with his friend about his disappointment in not doing the kind of big business that would bring him enormous money. He said, “Despite my best efforts I am not getting any sizable order for supply of my materials. For some reason or the other, the competing suppliers walk away with the plum orders from my clients and I am left high and dry.”

On the other hand, his friend declared, “I was also struggling for a good number of years like you. But now I am very successful after painful initial twelve years. I have earned more money in just past two years- much more than what I could not earn even in the first twelve years of business”.

When Ambalal Patel got curious to know the secrets of his sudden success, his friend assigned it to joining Regent Club whose members mostly consisted of corporate executives and businessmen. He advised boastfully like a big brother, “Ambalal, you must have the right contacts. Regent Club is the answer.” Then after blurting out this much involuntarily in his intoxicated state, he stopped this topic here itself and turned to other gossips. He soon realized that he was making mistake by giving out his secrets of business to Ambalal Patel on the platter. Possibly, Ambalal Patel might become his competitor if he knew more about his business secrets. And he would not like it.

However, Ambalal Patel was quick to retain in his memory the name Regent Club. Next morning, past last night’s hangover, Ambalal Patel developed a terrific craving to visit Regent Club that brought money to his friend. He wanted to explore the possibilities for himself by knowing more about the club.

He met the manager of Regent Club. Ambalal asked him, “Is the membership in the club open? And if yes, what will be the membership fee?”

Manager gave him all the information of the club and also emphasized, “Mr Patel, people like you and many corporate managers primarily are the constituent members of the club.” Then, he gave the details of one time entry fee and other annual fees of the club.

Ambalal Patel was shocked to hear the astronomical fees of the club. He mumbled, “I say, the fees are too steep, far higher than many other clubs of the city. Its an unaffordable expenditure even for a businessman like me.”

To which the manager replied, “Mr Patel, do not call this as expenditure. Call it investment instead. You will recover the entire fee of the club in just about an year or little over the year and after that, its all profit. This is not my version; this is the version of the members of this club. I hear many of them say so from time to time. I understand from them that the club provides an excellent meeting point to develop business and social networks.”

Ambalal Patel remembered what his friend had mentioned the previous evening. This Regent Club was responsible for his sudden prosperity. Ambalal Patel did not wish to waste a minute; he was in a real hurry to make lots of money. He joined the club by taking loan from his bank and giving the membership fees to Regent Club.

To start with, Ambalal was not quite comfortable with the secretive environment of the club. But soon he got introduced to a senior purchasing executive of a fairly big chemical company. The senior purchasing manager’s name was Partho Dey. They struck chords with each other since both were having one thing in common in a big way. Both had insatiable capacity to hold the drinks. Soon they became company to each other, though most of the time Ambalal paid the bills for their drinks and dinner. He remembered the club manager’s words, “Mr Patel, perceive this expenditure as an investment.”

And soon it worked. Ambalal Patel found an occasion to offer to supply to Partho Dey’s company. When one day, during their drinking time conversation, Partho mentioned that his company was looking out for a reliable source to buy a particular type of chemical material, Ambalal Patel spoke without wasting a minute, “Sir, why do you have to search for a source? The source is sitting right in front of you. I am in the business of supplying the very material you mentioned. I am capable of supplying any amount of it regularly and with 100% reliability.” Partho Dey nodded. Patel thought that to be a good sign. He worked out in his mind, “If Partho Dey places this order on me, it would mean a huge order in terms of volumes and money. And that’s what I need at this point of time.”

Why was Partho Dey willing to consider Ambalal Patel’s offer? The reason was that Partho Dey was not very happy with his existing supplier since the existing supplier was not meeting the terms and conditions set out by Partho Dey. The existing supplier was not willing to increase the bribe percentage that Partho was demanding now. Partho had raised his expectation of bribe from his current rate of 15% to 25% which the supplier thought was obnoxiously high. He mentioned to Partho that he was willing to stretch up to a cut of maximum of 20%- the going rate with many of the purchase managers of many of the other companies where he was the supplier.

Now Partho Dey was not much worried about losing his current supplier of many years since he had in front of him a new and hungry supplier- Ambalal Patel who, in his assessment, would be more than willing to grab that huge order on the terms and conditions of 25% bribe amount set out by him. He had gathered that Ambalal Patel was in a hurry to become rich overnight. So, he opened up his cards in front of Ambalal Patel and as expected, Patel readily agreed for 25% kick back demanded by Partho.

All of this happened over the sixth peg of whisky in the company of Partho Dey that night; Ambalal Patel got the much needed break. He had finally bagged a very big order from a big chemical company. Silently, he thanked his friend who gave him the tip to join Regent Club. He thanked the club manager for sharing his wisdom with him. He thanked Partho for giving the order at 25% kickback (he calculated quickly that despite this kickback he could still make lots of money for himself). He thanked Regent Club.

He started supplying the material.

An year went by.

During this period Ambalal as well as Partho made lots of money.

Partho and Ambalal also continued maintaining their team spirit over the spirits they consumed together at Regent Club regularly. Of course, Ambalal continued booting the bill.

And one night, after they had several pegs of whisky, Partho opened up his heart. He put up his cards in front of Ambalal, “Ambalal, you will appreciate that the year went by smoothly for you because of me.”

Ambalal nodded in affirmation.

Partho continued, “I wish to further add to your kitty and this time at a very fast rate. You had mentioned to me on several occasions that your main aim in life has been to make huge amounts of money real quickly. Now I wish to help you once more to fulfill that dream of yours. Are you with me?”

Ambalal Patel was like a mouse in front of the cat. He mumbled, “Sir, can I ever dare to go against your wishes? Please tell me what do you have in mind?”

Partho said, “To start with, for the next six months, my cut will be raised to50%. We need more material in the company and so the quantity on order for you will be doubled. After six months we will review and work out suitable terms and conditions. Is that OK with you?”

Ambalal was puzzled. He thought how he could make money if he had to give away 50% of his earnings to Partho. But he did not wish to contradict Partho and annoy him. He remained silent.

Partho watched Ambalal keenly and patronized by saying, “Look, we are onto experimenting a new thing as a part of our association. That will make you very rich in just about six months. You must be wondering how it can happen when you have to shell out your 50%. I will tell you how. In reality, you will not supply the quantity of material on order. You will physically supply only 50% of the ordered material and yet bill the company for the full amount. I have my boys in the stores department trained in taking care of all of this. So don’t you worry at all and just do as I told you. OK?”

Ambalal had become a past master in bribing by now but this new proposal coming from Partho was quite startling for his brains. A shiver of great fear ran through his spine. His mind and heart and conscious (?) were not allowing him to go along with Partho on this.

Partho was an intelligent man. He could sense the legitimate hesitation of Ambalal. He said, “Ambalal, I cannot wait for long but you being my drinking partner, I will give you time to think till tomorrow evening. Give me your consent by tomorrow evening here in the club. Then we will drink to our continued business association. But if you are not willing to be a part of my proposal, do not fear that we will break our drinking association. It will still continue but for the next six months at least, you will not be in a position to be a supplier to my company. You will definitely lose a lot. Also, I cannot guarantee what will happen after six months. I have spotted a new supplier who has just joined our Regent Club and who seems pretty much promising to me. He needs some business urgently. You know that I am willing to help such people.”

Ambalal Patel tossed and turned in his bed the whole night without getting a single wink of much needed sleep. He was still very afraid to say “yes” to Partho’s proposal.

Related Book

"Sensitive Stories of Corporate World" (available from Amazon, get it online)

Other Related Reading

For everything you wanted to know on building leadership and management, refer Shyam Bhatawdekar’s website: http://shyam.bhatawdekar.com/

Also, refer our High Quality Management Encyclopedia at: http://management-universe.blogspot.com/

For “out of box thinking” articles by Shyam Bhatawdekar, refer: (Out of Box Ideas) http://wow-idea.blogspot.com/

Read other blogs of Shyam Bhatawdekar at: (Home Page for Writings of Shyam Bhatawdekar) http://writings-of-shyam.blogspot.com

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