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INTEGRITY M A Y 2 002
The Bigger You are the Harder You Fall It was a fatal air crash that took Hansie Cronje away. Will people remember him as a great captain, or one who disgraced himself and the game of cricket by yielding to match fixers? In local level tournaments, a transgression of a rule here and of a law there is of little significance. Nobody is watching that closely, and, frankly, nobody really cares beyond the fun and the outing of the occasion. But in the big league the situation is very different. In this case every one is watching. There is whole crowd out there and they have invested serious time, energy, capital and commitment towards watching the progress of the game. This is why, when you are on top, one wrong move can lead to serious credibility problems. Hansie Cronje was the idol of cricket lovers throughout the world, but he has left the world without being able to rehabilitate himself. A minor star could have got away with what Cronje had done, but not Cronje. This should be an object lesson to those companies that are today admired, revered, and even envied, by others in the corporate world. They should realize that their status at the top is assured as long as they can remain ethical. Truly, the bigger you are the harder you fall! As size matters, it is necessary for those who are currently enjoy high levels of market respectability that they remain squeakily cleaner than those around them. Leading corporate organizations have to make doubly sure that transparency and integrity are not compromised at any level. It does not matter so much to them to lose a job or two, but they should not fudge with the basic norms of Business Ethics. A missed contract can always be overcome, but if the big players lose their credibility they can never surface again. Business Ethics is a collective endeavour. Consequently it is incumbent on corporate leaders who appreciate the positive effects of Business Ethics to make sure that every one in their teams is on the same wavelength on this matter, at least. Teamwork is effective when members not only realize that their individual strengths contribute to collective well-being, but also that an individual indiscretion can bring about their collective downfall. Big boys had better be careful. They are being watched even at night. Write back to us your views and if you would like to receive a soft copy of Eye for Integrity please send your e-mail address to eforintegrity@in.kpmg.com. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This monthly issue is provided to y ou by KPMG – Business Ethics & Integrity Services. Contact Dr. Dipankar Gupta, at 4B, DLF Corporate park, DLF City, Phase – III, Gurgaon – 122002, or call at (91-124) 6549191 with your questions and comments. Visit us at our website at http://www.in.kpmg.com All information contained here is of a general nature and is not intended to be an opinion of the Firm. Although we endeavour to ensure its timeliness and accuracy, no one should act upon it without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the facts of the particular situation.