Principles versus preferences

[Cornish Steve]

An obviously wealthy man was seated next to a woman on a train. At one point in the journey, he leaned over and asked her a question: "If I gave you a million pounds, would you sleep with me tonight?" After a moment's thought, the woman smiled and replied, "Yes". After several minutes of silence, the man leaned over again and asked a followup question: "If I gave you a fiver, would you sleep with me tonight?" The woman took obvious offence and replied, "Of course not. What kind of woman do you think I am?". The man shrugged his shoulders: "I thought we'd already established that and were now haggling about the price".

OK, it's a rather bad joke, one I heard told many years ago, but I've never forgotten it. Around the world, I've encountered all kinds of behaviour in business. Sadly, a common one in the developing world is bribery. While someone may take offence at being offered "a fiver" to fix a deal, they may consider it seriously at being offered "a million pounds". On the side, some vendors will not get the business because they won't pay a bribe. So-called principles are revealed as convenient preferences.

For you, what principles in business are inviolate? To win a big deal, would you bribe? or promise what you don't have? or lie? just a 'white lie'? When selecting a vendor, would you ever accept a bribe? a favour? just a free dinner?

Maybe it's a rhetorical question, because who's going to say 'yes'? Still, a solid reputation takes years to build and just an instant to lose.

[Tej]

For you, what principles in business are inviolate? To win a big deal, would you bribe? or promise what you don't have? or lie? just a 'white lie'? When selecting a vendor, would you ever accept a bribe? a favour? just a free dinner?

Maybe it's a rhetorical question, because who's going to say 'yes'? Still, a solid reputation takes years to build and just an instant to lose.

IMO.. there is nobody that can answer NO. I guess everybody in business has accepted some kind of favour.. cash or kind!.. at some point in their business. Even taking someone out for a dinner and getting contacts for business.. thats part of it too!... or is that PR and therefore not counted:)

Principles seem to be only good when one is NOT hungry.

[Cornish Steve]

An increasing number of companies require their employees to refuse free meals or gifts of any kind from vendors - no matter how inexpensive they may be. I suspect they're realising how difficult it is to distinguish between a friendly gesture and something untoward.

[MyAccountantOnline]

An obviously wealthy man was seated next to a woman on a train. At one point in the journey, he leaned over and asked her a question: "If I gave you a million pounds, would you sleep with me tonight?" After a moment's thought, the woman smiled and replied, "Yes". After several minutes of silence, the man leaned over again and asked a followup question: "If I gave you a fiver, would you sleep with me tonight?" The woman took obvious offence and replied, "Of course not. What kind of woman do you think I am?". The man shrugged his shoulders: "I thought we'd already established that and were now haggling about the price".



Perhaps its got more to do with perceived value for money;)

[An Oasis]

An increasing number of companies require their employees to refuse free meals or gifts of any kind from vendors - no matter how inexpensive they may be. I suspect they're realising how difficult it is to distinguish between a friendly gesture and something untoward.

What a sad statement.

When out on site many of our clients treat us to food and drink and I often either reciprocate or initiate the gesture. Sometimes, in addition, we also receive thanks for the work done usually in the form of various company related products, which are sent on. From a clients POV it is a good way to reinforce their brand and raise awareness of products and helps to develop a good working relationship. Yes they may well benefit from it, by getting a higher level of discount on a future booking.

Once we lose integrity & trust what else is there left in a business relationship apart from the financial remuneration? Seems like there are too many senior managers who aim to micromanage at every possible level, not a positive or proactive thing to do.

[MH1]

Used to wine and dine clients a lot when I was a company rep twenty odd years ago, and my major client knew at xmas they would all receive a case of their favourite tipple, normally scotch.

This was not dependant on any levels of orders being received, it was just the way things worked. One year I decided to leve the company to join a competitor, and my old firm decided to "drop" the case of spirits at xmas. My old client called me up to ask me to visit them regarding using my new firm, and I took the case of spirits with me at the same time, paid by myself.

They asked was this to get the new business, to which I replied I simply always kept my word, I and my old firm had promised them a case and they renaged on the agreement, I was simply honouring it, no matter who they decided to use in the future.

They swapped their business to me the same day, more because they appreciated someone sticking too their word than the drink. My old company then decided to buy a case for the client in an effort to get the business back, they declined since I had already provided it.

I do draw the line at laying on prostitutes and monetary bribes, a meal or a drink is fine in my book, ask for a twenty grand car and they can get stuffed.

[Cornish Steve]

Used to wine and dine clients a lot when I was a company rep twenty odd years ago, and my major client knew at xmas they would all receive a case of their favourite tipple, normally scotch.

This was not dependant on any levels of orders being received, it was just the way things worked. One year I decided to leve the company to join a competitor, and my old firm decided to "drop" the case of spirits at xmas. My old client called me up to ask me to visit them regarding using my new firm, and I took the case of spirits with me at the same time, paid by myself.

They asked was this to get the new business, to which I replied I simply always kept my word, I and my old firm had promised them a case and they renaged on the agreement, I was simply honouring it, no matter who they decided to use in the future.

They swapped their business to me the same day, more because they appreciated someone sticking too their word than the drink. My old company then decided to buy a case for the client in an effort to get the business back, they declined since I had already provided it.
Some companies I know would view this as unethical behaviour: an expensive gift clearly influenced who won the business. Just to be clear, I'm not expressing any opinion of my own here because, as was said earlier, a little commonsense is needed, but I know of some large corporations who would have fired employees over this.

[Cornish Steve]

What a sad statement.
Yes, it is; however, there have been several government lawsuits against companies for trying to influence decisions, so companies have to play it safe. I suspect this is more an issue for big public companies than it is for smaller companies, but it's still something to be careful of.