The Hindu Business Line : If distractions bog you down, detractors win

STORY so far: There are occasions when it looks like the world is falling apart, and everything is going wrong. To top the company's problems, the boss is in the hospital and eerily the contract killer is on the prowl, though the cops seemed to have a handle on the situation, for a change.

Episode 27

After ACP Narendra left the room in hot chase of Sooty, or whoever he thought was Sooty, posting plainclothesmen at the entrance, boss seemed a bit relieved.

"Ah," he turned to one side, moaning audibly. "We have lots of work to do."

"But sir," I said, "you should take some rest before getting into the usual grind of things."

"That's exactly what I too wanted to say," affirmed Gupta. "Though I know you wouldn't listen to such a simple suggestion."

"Ha, ha," the boss managed a laugh, "Before I lapse off into sleep, with all those medicines they're downing into my system, I wanted to tell you that the Board is to meet next week."

"I'll send the intimation to all the directors," I said. "Or, should I ask Govind to do it? He's the company secretary, after all."

"ACP informed me that they're monitoring Govind's activities," boss said in a hush. "And they found him huddled with the wanted criminal more than once during the past week."

"Keep it to yourself, Swati," Gupta cautioned. "At the Commissioner's office, I saw the transcript of the mobile conversations between Gupta and his mercenaries. They're highly incriminating."

"Then, why not our uniformed men go and arrest him?" I asked.

"A reasonable question," boss said. "But the police is not in a hurry, because they don't want to act too fast and let the partners in the plot escape."

"Sir," Gupta intervened, "the meeting is for considering results, I guess."

"Yes," boss nodded. "Also, we will look at the plans for the new plant you are working on. I will seek the board's approval for the mega expenses you have on mind, if that's your worry."

"I am only eager we have the first-mover advantage," Gupta responded, "in the new vaccine development."

"Well, Swati," boss turned to me. "You have the secretarial qualification, so you shouldn't have trouble organising the board meeting. Send all the relevant papers to the directors. I want them to come prepared. Get Chandru tie up all the loose ends in the accounts. Let there not be any opportunity for somebody to spring a surprise question at me in the board meeting or later at the shareholders' AGM."

"On our trip back from Jakarta," I recounted, "Chandru was discussing with me some of the thorns in the accounts."

"I know what is bugging him," boss said. "There is that shortfall in Q4 where we could not meet our targets. Plus the projection for the next year would have to factor in the impact of war and SARS."

"Which means the profit guidance would show a bleak picture?" I asked anxiously.

"So what?" boss retorted. "Future is always indefinite. Who knows, Gupta's team may come up with a winner in Q2 next year and turn the tide in our favour."

"Let me keep all my fingers crossed," said Gupta looking up.

"I'll speak to Chandru," boss said, "and ask him to play the numbers straight. Honesty pays, and transparency saves time for all of us. There is no use putting a smokescreen over our fears and deluding the media and ourselves."

"True," Gupta acknowledged. "Don't forget Swati how the software giant Infosys is now getting blamed for shedding its image too suddenly as a premium vendor."

"We have a hundred problems, Gupta, in our own company," the boss interjected. "I want you to get busy with work. We have had enough of distractions, one from the foreign bank and then from the virus inside. If we get bogged down, that means our detractors are winning..."

Suddenly, there was the sound of a gunshot and a distant scream, soon to be followed by wailing sirens.

"That must be him," said the boss, turning in half-sleep. "Unless Sooty spent the bullet he had reserved for me on someone else."

(To be continued)

swati_CA@hotmail.com

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