Sunday 18 May 2008

When cost is not an issue

When I first mentioned about big corporations doing all the crap in the name of environment, there are those who commented saying that since it will benefit the environment, why not? No argument there.

But…

What I find rather distasteful is that corporations are merely trying to paint their cost cutting measures with the rosy ‘save-the-environment’ picture. And, it is just not any cost cutting measure; it is actually a specific type of cost cutting measure.

My previous entry on the
evil side of ‘save-the-environment’ campaign may have made most of you laugh but funny it may be, the situation bears much truth. When cost is involved, to hell with environment. And… when it comes to cost, it must also be specific type of cost.

Consider the following scenario…

Modern Slave: Boss, I have a brilliant idea for our ‘save-the-environment’ campaign.

Big boss: Really? But you know what are the conditions… right?

Modern Slave: Oh yes. I definitely know what are the ‘conditions’. But this is going to a fantastic idea. It’s going to save the environment AND reduce cost!!!

Big boss: Realllllllly? Well, then I am sure it is a fantastic idea. Enlighten me.

Modern Slave: You know the CEO is now using a Mercedes S-Class, then 2 of our directors are on a 7-series and 5-series respectively? Then the 2 head of departments are on Volvo S-40. And of course, you boss… you are on an E-Class.

Big boss: Yeah..???

Modern Slave: All these are company cars and I am sure you know they consume a lot of petrol, which is of course bad for the environment. I suggest we sell of these cars and replace them with the Honda Civic Hybrid, which is an environmental friendly car. Not only we will save money for all the bosses’ petrol claims, I am also very sure that we will make a handsome profit by replacing the current fleet of luxury cars with the Hybrid Civic. Isn’t that a brilliant idea?

Big boss: [again… fill in the blank yourself]

Do you think it’s all about saving the environment and perhaps save some cost?

30 comments:

day-dreamer said...

LOL.

And the blanks would be... "!@#$%^&*"? :P

Anonymous said...

or perhaps save their face? (good image.. )

Little Jennifer said...

lol~ i guess honda civic is not really fuel-efficient...maybe honda city...haha..but i guess ur boss would properly @!$#%#$%^$^ X 3 times..hhaa..

honestly, i used to heard a friend of mine ( a company's managing director) talked about this since i was complaining of his s-class maybe tooo obstructed as many people would stare at me when i got into his car>_<...he said --> business sometimes need to drive this to show show mah~ @@" sigh..this is reality~

Anonymous said...

Ah I know what you mean. These big shots would rather think of themselves than the environment, all for sake of "face". Bleaargh.

kyh said...

hahahaaa not bad what those environment-friendly cars. :P

Tekkaus said...

I thing we should all ride bike again! =)

Anonymous said...

Big Boss: I have an even better idea; fire you!

Trader Max said...

Actually I used to work for an MNC whereby the HQ (not in Msia) uses hybrid cars. I m, however, unsure if that is the only type of car being used. But what is clear is that in Msia, perhaps due to availability as well, there are no hybrid cars being used.

Guessed what I am saying is - not all are hypocrites, though most definitely are.

Purple~MushRooM said...

Hahahaha.... Zewt. You have to nail this down over and over again. Actually, I think its more of corporate decision rather than individual decision to get it going. If the company in question is 'ruled' or managed solely by individuals who misuse power and allocated funds, then your previous few entries made an important point.

For for certain companies, policies are set right from the top, and those management level will have no choice than to follow the rules. Yeah.. not very happy driving a hybrid as a CEO but company policy is always a company policy.

There are many companies doing the real-deal for the environment. But there are also many, many more who do it just for their own benefit.

Seaqueen said...

If they really do change to a hybrid type they deserve a salute and respect.

-ritchie- said...

Big boss : okay.. good idea.. but just change their car and not mine..

Anonymous said...

I think MNC CEOs haven't reached that level yet since they are morally not obligated to do so.

You should check out what some of the big bosses of environmental NGOs drive...that'll cause you to froth more at the mouth!

My experience is similar to MaxForce above - I had some fantastic bosses who drove the humble Proton, brought fabric bags to supermarkets, food containers to work, recycyled their paper/plastic/glass.

Hmm...I should do a positive post on the environment ya? Lemme see if I can find nice pics to go with it or not e.g. Maya Karin & her car booth!

zewt said...

day-dreamer - hahaha... cannot, boss cannot lose cool just like that.

drumsticks - save face?

alcoholic - hi there, welcome to AZAIG. yeah, sometimes, it's a matter of status, to show the customers that you are stable. but when it's fake... then it's stupid la.

diggy tigress - absolutely.

kyh - if dont want... drive kancil lor hahahaha... right?

Tekkaus - bicycle u mean.

zewt said...

wuching - that would definitely save cost eh? haha.

maxforce - yup... things like these can happen but definitely not in malaysia. we are too engrossed with status and luxury. the rest are all superficial.

purple mushroom - u know i wont stop hehe. at the end of the day, i just want to question their sincerity. environment or cost or... selfish gains.

seaqueen - let's wait and see.

-ritchie- - hahahaha... that's really a good idea.

kittycat - what are the things that will make me froth? tell tell... haha...

kyliemc said...

lol...luckily u did not suggest them to cycle instead...oh well, sometimes it's just a gimmick since everyone is so concern bout the environment but the truth is...you know, i know, many people know. we can only give suggestions but whether the authorities accept them is another thing...sad case, huh?

Anonymous said...

oh sorry, i mean the bosses want good image by suggesting to save the environment, but not when it involves sacrificing their comfort or higher cost. Make sense? hehe.. i wonder why i said save face also.

missironic said...

Big Boss: Are you on crack? (giving an out-of-your-mind look)

Huei said...

hahahhha

i wonder if one day we become bosses..will we become all "environmental"

=P

zewt said...

kyliemc - you know i know... it's all about cost!

drumsticks - well... they have to project some sort of aura... bosses mah. same ler...

missironic - hahaha... not on crack... very sober!

huei - hmmm... of cos i will, dunno about u haha.

Shiveeleaves said...

hahaha,nice 1,big boss just don't give a damn on civic hybrid,you want them to give up luxury for the enviroment?duh.

Huei said...

u will become all 'environmental' or all environmental without the quotes? =P

me? i will become
"it's bring ur pets to work day"

or
"u will be rewarded if u adopt a stray pet"

etc.

ok i'm a bad boss hahahhah

zewt said...

shiveeleaves - hey there, welcome to AZAIG. all the care is their own welfare.

huei - you really have a big heart for animals huh... good for u.

missironic said...

Big Boss: Then I suggest you go and consult our company psychologist then..

=P

william wang said...

continue....
Big Boss: I've a better idea, let me sack you and we can save more.
Modern Slave: ???
The moral of this story is: Don't be a smart ass if it is not going to benefit yourself.

may said...

maybe it's a blessing here for parking to be ridiculously expensive, that my bosses hardly drive to work - all on train, bus or foot! at least less pollution on weekday lor...

zewt said...

missironic - sack the boss then! haha

william wang - yeah, just have to accept that everything is just a facade.

may - well, it's a totally different country... cant compare ler.

kyliemc said...

muahaha..true true...everything must be within the budget...i guess it's their budget and those young ones have to accomodate them... :(

zewt said...

kyliemc - precisely :)

Anonymous said...

I think in Malaysia environmental friendly cars are not feasible cause the government wants to earn money from more petrol consumption while selling cars at prices off the roof.

Plus, ya think they gonna provide those cars when the environmental friendly rubbish bins are a joke?

zewt said...

ngy - hi there. that's why... our government needs to change their mentality... will they?