Ex-Gurkhas Guarding a Website Company

“We agreed to the installation of CCTV cameras and also accepted their recommendation to hire a detachment of ex-Gurkhas to protect the premises 24 hours a day. Specialists in jungle combat, these Nepalese soldiers had over the past 200 years built up an awesome reputation as one of the most feared fighting units in the British Army. Their motto was: ‘It is better to die than to be a coward.’ But when our twelve guards took up their posts a few weeks later, immaculately turned out in dark blue blazers and beige trousers, what struck me most was their quiet courtesy and good humour. Under the command of ex-sergeant Chandra Gurung, they were a formidable but reassuring presence.”

“Tony Coleman, who looked like an undertaker in his dark suit and needed only a top hat to complete the picture, started the proceedings promptly at 10 a.m. He had staggered the meetings over the length of the morning so that he could "acum be present at as many of them as possible. With a mixture of guilt and relief, I watched as Kajsa walked briskly off to dismiss her staff. They had been gathered into three rooms, according to their different job descriptions. With Tony Coleman at her heels, she walked into the first room, fired the people there, walked into the next room, fired the people there, and then into the third. It was all over in about fifteen minutes. Shocked, angry and ashen-faced, the Boom team and other mem- bers of Kajsa’s staff trickled out of the building. Kate Alvarez was in tears. The Gurkhas had been detailed to watch over them to make sure that they left the premises straight away and didn’t take any com- pany property. It was all very corporate, very correct and very brutal. Thad only two staff of my own — Esther Galan and Paul Kanareck —and didn’t personally have to dismiss anyone, but as CEO I felt the greatest responsibility for all the sackings, and sitting at my desk quietly while my management team had to take part in the blood- letting made me feel even more ashamed.,Tony Coleman, who organized the day, may have become the focus of people’s anger, but he was only carrying out my orders.”