Lazarus the Financial Wizard 7

The brand ambassadors of incompetence whom Lazarus nurtured provided only an example of the tip of the ice berg of the AHF phenomenon. Complaints against this to the higher authorities only invited further harassment of greater intensity. Those who had some sense of time and decency abandoned the project and moved to another territory which was less hostile where the standards were less rigid. Lazarus and followers reveled in the achievement of having thwarted the project.

This applied to industrial projects also. The series of complaints for justice only created more and more jobs for supervision and vigilance with more spokes in the wheel creating further impediments. Lazarus thus perfected the concept of Management by Harassment (MBH) which gained popularity among the staff as that of MBO. While the X theory of Mc Gregor did not provide for monetary reward for the practitioner, the HT (Harassment Technique) brought pecuniary benefit. apart from enhancing his power, influence and importance. These forced many to flock around him in wonder and amazement.

AHF was a regular source of income for the employees. To cite an example, one business establishment, Ship wreckers Services (SWS) undertaking ship repairs did some work for the government. On completion of work it sent a bill for $ 100000. Even after ten months the amount remained unpaid. The file was not traceable. When reminded the office sought the previous correspondence which was provided. Then demand for the original purchase order came. He fulfilled this condition also. Even after meeting all these requirements, there was no sign of settlement.

Lazarus who was high-ranking official in the organization sent word through one of his colleagues to SWS. He said the person with holding the bill was building a house and he liked decorated teak doors. If five doors could be supplied the bill would be cleared in full immediately.SWS talked to the concerned official who asked him about his contacts and whether he could arrange supply. Of course SWS forwarded the estimate for $ 10000. In response the official said," Cost is no consideration. Nevertheless send the bill without fail".The bill and the teak doors reached the official but payments for the doors and ship repairs were still not forthcoming. Then SWS discovered the real cause.

The official wanted confirmation that he would get the doors free and he succeeded. The next week SWS got the cheque , though it was post dated by three months. The messenger who brought the cheque insisted on a cut of 2% of the bill amount for parting with the cheque. After negotiation he reduced to a round figure of $200. SWS escaped. (To be continued)