What's in a name? Ask Satyam.

-
The TOI headline read "Satyam: A Rs 7000 Cr Lie". The Economic Times headline read "Satyam A Big Lie". An NDTV.com graphic said "Satyam's Ugly Truth". The broadcasting media has come up with even sharper, sucker-punch headlines to describe the Satyam fiasco over the last two days. Last night, I heard a Times Now anchor, very irately, referring to Raju as "a straight-faced liar". I get the feeling copy editors all over are having a heyday thanks to the irony in the name - Satyam, meaning truth.

Just think. Had the name been something less poignant, the public flogging of the company might have hurt a wee bit less. I mean, how copy-creative does one get with a name like Wipro or TCS or even Infosys. (I wish to state here that I implicate absolutely nothing by taking these names. They are purely for example purpose. Hope no offence is taken.)

Actually, my heart goes out to Satyam's employees. Dragged into the mire for no fault of theirs save believing in a hugely fraudulent leader. In today times, the organizations we work for make up a large part of our identies. I certainly would have hated it if my identity was on the front page with a "lie" tagged to it.

Tough times, indeed. Hang on, guys. Things will work out.

Comments

Anupam Choudhury said…
It's an oxymoronish situation. "Satyam: The Lie" It's amazing how drops of false credits over several months can leave behemoth you work for worth peanuts..or even less. But, somehow, in this case, I'm neither feeling the punch, nor feeling the sadness. It's not really surprising. Just a huge turn-off. I hope someone is jailed in the illiterates wing of Tihar.
January 8, 2009 at 7:49 AM
Unknown said…
I know Mu, but just in case we are worried that business/clients especially US are gonna get skeptical and paranoid (as usual) - we can lay and ENRON on them. Led by example no?!
January 8, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Telangana Effect - To create a new state, go on a fast

-
If Telangana can, we will too . So says Bundelkhand Mukti Morcha (for a separate Bundelkhand) and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (for Gorkhaland). Following soon will be Saurashtra, Vidharbha, and even a Mithilanchal. Why, even Coorg region in Karnataka wants to become a state! India is sure going to see a number of high-profile fasts-unto-death on the evening news in the coming days.
Read more

Sure, I bribe. But no cash. Do you take card?

-
Its been a long while since I last ventured on to this page. Frankly, I didnt think anybody reads this with any regularity. However, recently, a couple of friends nudged me out of blog-atrophy, so I guess a couple of people do read this. Good. Because I have a couple of questions for those people. Whats the minimum bribe one can slip into a traffic cop's hand if one is not going to be paying the legal fine for an offense committed? I ask for the least possible amount which doesnt leave a dent in the driver's pocket and yet ensures a hassle-free drive through. Least possible amount that will satisfy the cop-on-a-personal-fund-raising-mission. Since it was the May Day holiday, I ventured out grocery shopping expecting the roads to be less congested. (For those over-inquisitive minds who wish to know, yes, I meticulously plan my driving to coincide only with ungodly hours and unfrequented side roads.) And so they were. Just that I hadn't factored in the traffic police. Thei
Read more

How to Win a Customer, How to Lose a Customer

-
Image
This story is about how people do business. There is customer service and there is customer delight. And there is the yawning gap between the two. Since I toy around with all that market-speak for most of my professional work hours, I have a passable understanding of it. But it was enlightening to see them in action, in the space of a single evening. Okay, the story starts with me hurrying around Bangalore East with a largish pair of butterfly wings …yes, you read right, butterfly wings….in my hands. Don’t ask me for the backstory; suffice it to say, it’s got something to do with a kiddies fancy dress competition and my daughter wanting to be Mariposa, that Ms-Goody-Two-Shoes fairy from Barbie Land. The wings were diaphanous, purple-colored and liberally sprinkled with glitter. Where did I get them? To my utter, incredulous wonder, there is a whole shop near Ulsoor Police Station solely devoted to fancy dress costumes for kids. And he had a rack full of wings to choose from. When I pic
Read more