Page 47 - A Banker Down the Rabbit Hole

dealer or even distant one would be having ready stock and could supply
it. The only difference was extra freight charges from their location that
would not at all be material at this juncture. Fortunately, I found one and
called up to check. Luckily, they had one set and agreed to supply within
three days. I spoke to the Zonal Head who was pleased with the
development and we placed order immediately. One officer sitting in his
cabin indicated to me to explore possibility of discounts from the supplier
to which even Zonal Head nodded.

I explored the discount but they refused. I expected they would offer
some kickback on their own like a supplier of inverters had done in recent
past and we could ask them to pass that on by way of discount in the
invoice. But they offered none. I enquired from the other supplier if they
could offer discount if we placed the order with them. They also denied
any such practice in the market for such equipment. I conveyed the
outcome to our Zonal Head who seemed satisfied and did not insist any
further on it.

Insights from the episode

1. We need to stay away from unethical allurements on the way in the
long term interest of the organization we are serving and self-interest
for leading a guilt free life.

2. I have seen many people getting substantially influenced by the
environment in which they worked and the kind of people with
whom they worked.

3. I know many cases of "Ill gotten, ill spent".
4. "Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a
person of value." -- Albert Einstein.

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44 | A Banker down the Rabbit Hole