Boardroom Talk – The ‘state-proofing’ idea is catching fire. About time.

By Alec Hogg.Am delighted to see I'm not alone in my admiration for David Ansara's speech on SA's collapsing Big Government and misguided Big Business. Magnus Heystek sent us a superb response to the "state-proof" idea. It is well worth investing some time reading it – click here. .Equally moving was an email from 'Jenny', a member of the BizNews tribe who prefers retaining her anonymity "to avoid embarrassing people". Her shout out for Jeremy Ord is heartwarming. Having followed his progress since we met when DD listed in 1985, my opinion is Ord deserves far more credit than he has been given..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.In response to yesterday's newsletter, Jenny wrote: "It is indeed quite shocking what is happening in the world. I think this has been happening all along and we were just oblivious to it – social media has exposed the Emperor. ."In my 30 years in multiple executive boardrooms – as the only woman – I can tell you that I was repeatedly told I did not understand business, which is why I would not agree to the unethical "goings on" in the boardroom. When I refused to pay bribes to officials for landing rights in other African countries, when I disagreed with giving "donations" to people that could award us big deals, buying cars for chiefs to get rights to trade in homelands, when I was called "the moral compass of the company" – I held my ground and did not give in. ."I have to say, that the one company I worked for that held my principles was Dimension Data. On a visit to an SOE, where we were told that our competitors had given the head of IT a house in Plettenberg Bay, Jeremy Ord told the exec that DD did not need to do that to get business. ."I walked out feeling a sense of immense relief that there were business executives that felt as I did. That said, the constant demand of shareholders for higher return can force any executive to look the other way. On the one hand, as shareholders, we demand higher and higher returns, pouring rewards on the stars and on the other we criticise unethical behaviour.".If that isn't reflective of a broken system, you have to wonder what would be….SterkteAlec.Read also:.Premium – FT comment: South Africa's support for Russia is rooted in misplaced nostalgiaThe ANC's "Mafia State" is robbing the economy of at least R155 billion a year – Dr Dion GeorgeInvestment masterclass, a Disney view, must-read book, from "second level" Sean Peche

Boardroom Talk – The ‘state-proofing’ idea is catching fire. About time.

Related Stories

Deepfakes, boiler rooms, and bully tactics – The truth about FXSI: the scam targeting the BizNews tribe

Boardroom Talk: Berkshire after Buffett, the $373bn cash pile, and refusing to chase AI hype

Boardroom Talk: BN Portfolio Mag7 shine brightly in Q1

Boardroom Talk: Tesla’s big AI leap, Sasol’s oil surge and Teledyne’s quiet dominance