Proverbs 29:4 “By justice a king gives a country stability, but those who are greedy for bribes tear it down.”
Bribery allowed, ignored or promoted by governments causes instability. It should be a top-down policy in government to promote justice, stability and freedom. This is true in business also.
Principle: Bribery weakens the nation, weakens business decisions and negatively affects personal integrity.
Recently 11,000 executives were asked which nation’s businessmen were most likely to offer them bribes when making deals abroad. They were businessmen from India, China, Russia, Turkey, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Africa, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Bribery is brazen and upfront in these countries. The least likely were Swiss and Swedes.
For most of us on the selling or buying side, the bribery temptation is subtle. In fact, it is politely called “perks.” These include things like a group of customers or prospects attending a sponsored conference at a luxury resort including rounds of golf or invitations to lavish private boxes at a sporting event. This may seem harmless. Many say this is a way to attract new customers and keep existing customers happy. Some say it is a necessary part of building relationships.
With so much scrutiny on the ways companies conduct business today, the question is, where do you draw the line? The state and federal governments have created legislation on these issues but usually it is ineffective. In the meantime, these “perks” influence purchasing decisions and upset the competitive bidding process. This is a weakness in the free enterprise system. The individuals making these decisions are the ones who must deal with the “rightness” of it and set boundaries.
Decide in advance what the limits are for your company. Define them. Stay with the decision. It will bring health to you and the company.
Discussion:
1. In doing business with government agencies, what guidelines are you aware of?
2. Does your company have limits on gift giving or receiving? Is it effective?
