October, 2009

Transparency International, the international watchdog against corruption, claims the global ressession came about due to corruption, according to this article.

“Fostering a culture of corporate integrity is essential to protect investment, increase commercial success and ensure the stability sought by poor and rich countries alike, particularly as we climb out of an historical crisis,” saidTransparency International Chair Huguette Labelle.

Why am I not surprised? We need to find efficient ways of controling and fighting corruption, as corruption are not only found in the 3rd world - we are all surrounded by it. Just consider - when was the last time you either gave or recieved an expensive gift to a client, or from a vendor? This happens all the time, and the size and type of the gifts are ever increasing.

I do not mind a christmass card, or even a small flower or perhaps even a bottle of wine. But when expensive trips, horses (yes, this actually happend in Norway), cars, houses, contracts and so forth are becoming the standard, we have moved far off the target.

What experience do you have with giving or recieving gifts? What is acceptable to you? Where do you draw the line?

Thanks to @canadianPI for the tip!

I am spending the day chairing the Security 2009 event in Oslo, Norway.

I update my twitter account during the day: http://twitter.com/kairoer

I will do interviews etc over the next month or so - have to heal my hand first :)