I’ve been locked into discussions with foreign vendors for the past week or so. It has been very difficult. Maybe awkwardness is a better word. Other than cultural causes, there is also the awkwardness of saying we need certain provisions in the contract because they have been delivering inferior quality work in the past.

These vendors are Asians (Indians –an entity from the giant TATA parent) and as an Asian, it is one of those difficult things we need to say to another Asian: we don’t trust the quality of your work, hence we need some legal/contractual protection. Awkward. But necessary.

Such is life. Sorry Ned Kelly…