Idea to Action quote:  Character is doing the right thing when nobody's looking. There are too many people who think that the only thing that's right is to get by, and the only thing that's wrong is to get caught - J.C. Watts

The word impunity has been hanging over us in Kenya, and has become, uncomfortably  common. In a renewed effort to come to terms with what happened in 2007/2008, I looked up the word again. This is what it means: exemption from punishment or loss'; 'freedom from responsibility' . It means permission to break the law! Who gives that permission? And what is the difference between a failed state, with no laws, and one with laws that are broken willy nilly?

I do not wish to dwell on this debate though.  Rather, I would like to reflect on some of the things we do that  breed, support or condone impunity.

1.   Threatening our children with consequences if they behave in a certain way. When they do, we don't follow through.

 

2.   Not saying anything when we experience poor customer service. We keep going back and getting the same quality of service. In fact, the experience becomes a joke, and we recount the tale over and over, always concluding 'that's the way mechanics, or tailors (for example) are'.

 

3.   Some one is defrauding the company or the state, but we look the other way. In fact, we ask for a cut to 'keep quiet'.

 

4.  We witness crimes, like a hit and run accident, and never step forward to say what we know.

 

What are some of the reasons for doing  do these things?

 

      a. We don't know better (well, no you do).

 

      b. We are scared of the consequences. This is perfectly normal, and we have heard some horror stories about people who tried to do the right thing. Think about it though - what are the consequences of impunity? All around us are examples of the ills brought on as a result of corruption. How different would it be if people knew there would be reprisals for whatever they do?

 

      c. We think you don't have the power to do anything about it. Well....think about these words from Confucius: To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right.

   

FAMILY IN THE BUSINESS

Idea to Action quote: A friendship founded on business is a good deal better than a business founded on friendship - John D Rockefeller.

When you are starting out in business chances that your first clients will be family are high. It is also quite likely that family will be your first employees This is because you start working with your existing network and build the network as you grow. Family are inevitably a big part of your network.

My experience with working with the family can be summarised thus: family is no more or less motivated, dedicated, honest, skilled or experienced than any other person. Yet, when you fall out, the ramifications go further and deeper than with other persons. This is because there are two connections here: the business connection and the family one, and severing the former can hardly be done without harming the latter.

 How can you minimise falling out with the family over business relationships?

1.Talk about it. Use the opportunity at the start of the business relationship to set boundaries. Don't  assume family knows that it is a business relationship and will behave appropriately. Put the issue on the table and talk about your expectations.

2.If the family member is going to be suprvised by someone else, let both the superviser and the family member know the appropriate hierarchy. It is best to say this in front of both. This allays the supervisor's fear that your family member is a sacred cow, and sends a message to the family member that as far as the business is concerned they are simply one of the team. Remember to respect that same hierarchy yourself.

3.Enforce the same controls as you would with non family members working with you. Have them sign the same contracts or agreements as any other employee or partner would, and let them be subject to the same rules and regulations.

4. Do not discuss business matters at family gatherings. And, in the same vein, do not discuss family matters at business meetings. 

5.If the business relationship should flounder, do not automatically break family ties. This is easier to manage if you applied 1 - 4 above.

6. If you cannot enforce 1-5 above, then better not employ family. You could always find other ways to support them.

7. Finally,  to the extent that friends are like family, all of the above applies to them.

Start with a Vision and get the Job!

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