Page 203 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

I also suggested, "We should devise an incentive scheme for local Chinese
staff to bring in more Chinese customers to broad base our customer base
and to grow our business faster." The suggestions appealed to him and
he instantly assured me that he would consider both of these suggestions
and communicate shortly. He was about to complete almost two hours
at our branch against fixed time of one hour. I noticed that my Country
Head was now looking at me instead of our Chairman. But he did not
intervene as he too was not yet familiar with the Chairman's style of
functioning and was cautious in speaking. Even today I wonder exactly
what had gone into me that day to make me so outspoken and frank in
front of the Chairman! But I was happy that he was a good listener
contrary to what we had heard of him.

On the second day, before he had to take a return flight to India next
morning, the expats held a dinner in his honour on the occasion of his
first visit. He was talking to everyone and was in good mood. He invited
all to narrate or suggest anything like I had done. I was happy that he
remembered my surname and mentioned my name there. He told that
the suggestion of incentivizing local staff for developing banking business
was worth considering.

I told him that we had heard many scaring stories about him. I could see
an interesting twinkle in his eyes as I continued to speak and his smile
encouraged me to speak further. I told him, "We had heard that you were
not listening to officers and punished them instantly for any mistake. But
we had very positive experiences with you and we found you a very good
listener." His answer was, "I feel upset only when I see corruption or
inefficiency. The interest of the Bank is of utmost importance to me."

After the Chairman left, the Country Head got a telex message after a
week to get the draft of Local Staff Incentive Scheme from me and
forward to the Chairman. The Country Head expressed surprise on such
emphasis being placed by the Chairman on a Senior Manager's suggestion
who had barely worked for some months at Hong Kong Centre and not

200 | A Banker down the Rabbit Hole