SPEED, SAFE and SECURE

By Taqyuddin Kadir

In a new product launching event of a company, the General Manager of the company in his opening address was stressing very meaningful words, “I believed that we are all well prepared to become Formula 1 racers, not Bajaj racers” the GM emphasized.

The difference between Formula 1 and Bajaj as vehicles is as that between sky and earth. It is uncomparable, of course. But to be relevant with the philosophy of what the GM addressed, I will focus on the difference that Formula 1 Racers, even in a high speed and difficult situation are still stick on the rules of game, and aware of any handicap that potentially impede their dreams to overtake their competitors and reach the finish line in the first place. They always realize that speed will only give desired benefit, if it can drive them successfully to the finish line. Speed is not for any speed. Speed is always for the target only. And therefore, they need safety to secure their speed reaching the target which is No. 1.

While, Bajaj racer (read: driver) is not only driving recklessly on the public road, but also notoriously known as the No 1 in violating traffic rules in Jakarta. Remember the anecdote “Only God can quickly guess when a Bajaj will stop, turn right, or turn left unpredictably”. Bajaj drivers as if think that they don’t have traffic rules to comply with, no turn lights to switch on, nor traffic sign to obey, not to mention safety and securety rules and principles.

It is believed that, legal problems in any company always influence negatively the company’s business success. Many people like to think of getting out of the legal problem, but for us, that’s not the choice. Our choice is not to get out but to stay out of the legal problem. We believe that anticipate of legal issues is better than managing them, and managing legal issues is more preferred than handling them in courts. This principle of course will require support of legal literacy and proper legal paradigm. Supposing legal aspects or legal documents for example as just complementary paper works rather than basic instrument and reference for the business, is not helpful. Many experts believe that paper works and communication system contribute at least 40 % of the total potential problems in any company.

From the above point of view, regulatory compliance is not optional and legal risk has to be addressed in any stage.

Of course, getting trapped in the so-called “what if” scenario or “battle of the forms” has to be avoided. We shall use the laws or strong legal ground to support the business and in anticipation of any legal risk. That is what compliance means actually.

Peter Drucker said, “Good companies respond swiftly the problems, but great companies anticipate it”.