(Minghui.org) I used to work as a regional sales executive in a large corporation, heading up a team of account managers and sales personnel. Because I followed the principles of Falun Gong in doing business, I got along well with and gained the trust of my colleagues.
I was later transferred to another district to take up the position of marketing executive. My former colleagues occasionally catch up with me on the Internet and share their problems at work. They now have a much greater appreciation of my integrity. This is in stark contrast to their initial opinion of me.
A Manager of Integrity
When I first started to work in the company, because I refused to do things that went against company policies such as inflating sales figures or reporting bogus promotional expenses, my colleagues thought I was a “fool.”
It is a common practice in our industry to sell products outside of our agreed upon sales territories using lower prices or other illegitimate means in order to meet or exceed sales targets. The payoff is more commission or performance-linked bonuses.
Because it is easy to meet sales quotas by engaging in "cross territory selling," many salespeople refuse to put effort into developing their own designated markets. That leads to inaccurate sales figures and is extremely unfair to those who have worked hard to grow their local markets.
Whoever does a better job at developing his local market, the greater the chances that others will ride on his success. This is because suppliers will always look for ways to purchase products that sell well at a lower cost. The party that is guilty of selling beyond his agreed sales territory will always offer discounted prices to attract customers from another region.
Many companies know that this opportunistic behavior will impede long term growth and have come up with various measures, including penalties, to stop such practices. However, I know of no company that has been successful in eradicating this behavior completely.
Once a sales representative of a dealer company told me he could make arrangements to supply goods to a company in another sales territory. He assured me we would not be caught, as they had done this on many occasions. They are very familiar with the technicalities and procedures involved.
As a long time Falun Gong practitioner, I knew it went against Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and politely turned him down. He was astonished and shook his head in disbelief.
Because I refused to sell beyond agreed upon territories and forbade my sales team to do so, others thought I was foolish to pass up the potential gain. Some even said right to my face, “Don't be so serious [about the rules].”
However, after working with me for two years, they came to accept how I handled things. After I left the department, we kept in contact. They often complained about the improper behavior of my successors. Later on, one of my successors was caught violating company policies and was severely punished by corporate headquarters.
My former colleagues commented that I had been a manager of integrity. I believe this was because I earned their respect by living by the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
A Dilemma with Gifts
As a marketing executive, I was put in charge of the warehouse that stored consumer products and giveaways. Only the marketing staff and I have the keys to the three large warehouses stocked full of products and freebies. While others would have thought nothing of taking things for personal use, I never took a single item that was given away during promotions. I bought whatever I needed.
I was also responsible for the production of ads to promote the company's products. I dealt with many advertising agencies and had the power to decide which agency to use. That meant that many companies sought to maintain good relations with me.
They treated me very politely and with great respect, but I could sense their anxiety. I understood their position and tried my best to be fair about doling out the work to different advertising agencies. But I was very strict about production costs and quality. If they did not meet my expectations, I would ask them to make revisions after explaining to them politely what was wrong.
At the holidays, every advertising agency would send me gifts as indirect bribes. Initially, I found it very hard to deal with this. No matter what I said, they refused to take the gift back. I did not want to disappoint them or hurt their feelings, so I came up with an idea. I gave them something in return of equal value.
Then something happened that made me realize this was not a good way to resolve the dilemma.
Just before one holiday, the director of an advertising agency, Mr. He, called me to his office. When I got there, he said, “We've been business partners for a long time, and I truly admire your work ethic. I don't have anything to give you this holiday, but my wife owns a wine and cigarette shop. You must accept these two bottles of wine as a gift.”
He was very firm. It so happened that my uncle's birthday was coming up, and I was planning to buy him a gift. He loved to drink and this would save me a trip to the store. My company has many branded goods that are popular with women. I was certain I would be able to find a perfect gift for Mr. He's wife in return. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?
I asked Mr. He how much the wine cost. He assured me it was not expensive. I have not drunk since I've been a practitioner--over a decade--so I had no idea how much a bottle of wine like that cost. I thought at most it would be just over a hundred a bottle. Thus I accepted the gift and gave it to my uncle.
I was curious to know what the wine really cost, so I went to a shop. One look at the price and I was in shock. 750 yuan a bottle! How could it be so expensive? Was it the same label? But I looked carefully and it was the same. I asked the salesperson, and she told me with certainty it sold everywhere for 750 yuan a bottle.
No wonder my aunt asked why I had given them something so expensive. She told me not to spend so much on gifts in the future. I thought she was just being polite.
I deeply regretted accepting Mr. He's gift. I felt awful for going against the teachings of Falun Gong. I had given the wine to my uncle and could not take it back. I decided to repay Mr. He. But if I paid him back in cash, he would surely refuse it.
I recalled that the fax and photocopy machine in his company had malfunctioned. I compared prices, bought a new fax and photocopy machine, and took it to him.
He was very surprised. I had spoken to him about Falun Gong indirectly in the past. This time I came straight to the point: “I practice Falun Gong. Out of greed, I accepted a costly gift from you. That goes against the teachings of Falun Gong, and I feel very bad. Please accept this in return.”
Mr. He was very touched and agreed to take the machine. I also said, “We've worked together for so long. As long as your prices are reasonable and your work acceptable, I will not use another advertising agency. You don't have to give me anything in the future.” He nodded and smiled. I could see genuine respect in his expression.
I then said the same thing to another advertising company executive. From then on, they stopped sending me gifts.
Before I practiced Falun Gong, I was just like many young people nowadays. Every day I thought about climbing the corporate ladder, winning the lottery, and becoming wealthy overnight. I would have been overjoyed to get two bottles of wine like that. If I had such power, who knows how many bad deeds I would have done?
As a Falun Gong practitioner, however, I go by Master's teachings to guide what I say and do, making it possible to overcome all sorts of temptations. I guess this is why so many Falun Gong practitioners have stayed true to their faith despite the Chinese Communist regime's brutal persecution.
I believe that the actions of countless Falun Gong practitioners speak for themselves. Many people have seen, understood, and are touched by the truth.
Category: Improving Oneself
