Wiggling Out Of The Predicament
By Ignatius Stephen

Bandar Seri Begawan - Wriggle, wiggle, wiggle. And more wriggles as she strutted on her scintillating three-inch heels across the office.

As usual, many in the room looked up. Here a wag and there a twist. And her shapely, hourglass shaped body suggested many things to many men. And needless to say to some women too who hoped to be slim, dainty and a beauty like her one of these days. Her smile was pleasant enough. It made her look radiant and her winning manners conquered many.

That included, no doubt, the boss. A middle aged woman, perhaps an accountant, looked up as she passed by and she studied her for a moment.

"Another hole in the budget," she murmured to herself and she immediately lowered her eyes and busied herself continuing to study the books through her thick bifocals.

"That is his latest," whispered another office girl to her friends as soon as she was beyond earshot. But they dared not let it know that they were talking about her lest the boss would come to hear of it. The lady who was the centre of attention, however masked it was, seemed to be aware that she was the subject of their thoughts and whispers. But she was too confident of herself to show it. Coolly and calmly she went up to a cubicle adjacent to the boss's office and pretended to sort out some papers. Her room was labeled "Special Assistant."

The old accountant had every reason to wrinkle her brow as she looked into the company books. Things were not at all looking good. And she knew that the bossman was just about to throw some - more money after this woman. Good solid cash just down the drain, she sighed

At this rate things would just go bust. It was only a matter of time. Not even a year, maybe it's only a few months before the firm would go bellyup. That was a pity. Only a few, perhaps ten years ago, the business was doing so well.

The company won prizes for performance and there was money in the bank. There were many admirers in Brunei. He was an up and coming star.

But things began to go wrong soon after. It was easy for him then to get loans and credit then. Banks and others were only too ready. And government too. He had established himself as a prime performer and a man of good repute. Everyone loves a man who has made good starting out with next to nothing.

There was much trust in his business acumen. That was why he took out a million dollar overdraft without much effort for, what he claimed, urgent business expansion.

But unfortunately, like so many businessmen in Brunei he did not use that easy credit to expand his commercial activities. Instead he used it to expand his ego.

First he bought a large piece of land and began to build a palatial home, then there were these luxury cars three of them in quick succession not counting the two cars and other vehicles he already had. Then there were those frequent foreign holidays with family to exotic and expensive destinations.

And, of course, there was all that shopping, shopping and more shopping with him and the family frequently landing up at the Brunei Airport with so many bags and boxes.

And then there was him playing the proverbial sailor in having a woman at every port. It was said that he had mistresses in Jakarta, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and wherever. Well, at least, that was the impression created.

That accounted for the many, many business trips he went. Monkey business, someone remarked. So he began to live the high life. He forgot his humble beginnings. The struggles of his parents and how hard life was. The loss of concentration in his business was total.

There was more. To compound the matter there was this succession of "Special Assistants." They were not only a distraction in the office but respect of his staff took a nosedive.

Most of the Special Assistants were useless. They went with him to meetings or just hung around doing things. What was special was they cost a lot of money.

They were the final nail in the coffin.

"They are just ornaments," a young staff cynically observed. `Whatever it was he was fast losing focus. Without concentration the predicable happens: His business going down downhill. And soon disaster would loom. He might lose it all. He would soon join the bankruptcy trail like so many others.

In fact, that is what really happened. It is a sad often repeated story in Brunei: The tales of those in the commercial world losing their head are too often heard.

What then can be done?

A visiting business consultant has suggested Bruneians who receive government or bank loans be helped to chart their way in their often perilous journey towards success.

Someone or an organisation should be set up to guide each and every step a businessman or businesswoman takes with the loan money. That should be made compulsory. Those who fail to comply should be weeded out and kept out of the commercial field.

An effort should be made to ensure that money loaned is spent for the purpose it is given. In charting the course towards the desired goal every aspect should be looked into and any shortfall remedied.

For example, if payments are delayed there should be an alternative plan to bridge the gap so that they can carry of with the business.

For example, a few years ago 13 low cost local housing contractors were chosen to build resettlement houses in the various parts of the country.

Today none could be called a success. Some are facing bankruptcy others are in danger of losing their landed property to the banks.

They failed because of various reasons all of which could have been remedied if there was an officially sponsored organisation -with sufficient bite to chart their course. There was no one helping them to iron out the difficulties or to right the wrong turning they could have taken perhaps in ignorance and because of lack of experience.

But some people would ask, must we spoon feed them all the way?

Yes, you would have to do so until we establish a mindset, said the consultant.

Once they get used to the right sort of thinking it will become second nature. Until then you will have to hold their hand. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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