Business Plan Blues

The entire tax executive is called into a meeting this morning to discuss how we are going save money (and ensure that there is no diminution in partners earnings, off course). So many poor buggers are going to have to take additional unpaid leave, we are talking of an additional 40 days at the moment and perhaps a 5% reduction in partner earnings from last year. 

Needless to say, the cheeky Gweilo was at it again. "What is our business strategy over this tough period?", I asked . Daggers.

What you need to recognise is that no local Chinese below the level of partner (this applies to some of the junior partners as well) would ever dream of asking such a question. The reason is primarily face but also knowing your place. "Face" because in my experience of Hong Kong, the partners have absolutely no idea of strategy (apart from lowering the charges of completing mundane tax returns for local businesses) so they have no answer, or at least coherent answer. 

Then there is knowing your place: the locals so are so petrified of seniority they never utter a peep in these meetings apart from nodding vigorously whenever somebody senior to them says anything. 

I eventually leave the meeting none the wiser apart from the fact that the only plan is screw to the junior staff while those in control have no clue how to improve business.