Slippery slope?I read the article, "Frame a Travel Strategy" (JofA, Mar.05, page 45), and was troubled by one of the lines in the case study that reads, "To sidestep side·stepv. side·stepped, side·step·ping, side·steps v.intr. 1. To step aside: sidestepped to make way for the runner. 2. the limits that corporate-card vendors set on monthly charges, [the principal partner] applied for the cards in his own name and assumed personal responsibility for the payments." I'm no fan of credit card companies, with their blizzard blizzard, winter storm characterized by high winds, low temperatures, and driving snow; according to the official definition given in 1958 by the U.S. Weather Bureau, the winds must exceed 35 mi (56 km) per hr and the temperature 20°F; (−7°C;) or lower. of easy-credit schemes, sky-high interest rates, sale of personal information and refusal to accept any responsibility for burgeoning consumer debt and resulting bankruptcies. But neither do I believe integrity should be based on what the other guy is doing. Sidestepping the limits sounds like a small thing, but first steps off the straight and narrow often are. Just ask Arthur Andersen For the U.S. Supreme Court case commonly known as Arthur Andersen, see . Arthur Andersen LLP, based in Chicago, was once one of the "Big Five" accounting firms (the other four are PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, Ernst & Young and KPMG), performing . Lorri Carpenter, CPA (Computer Press Association, Landing, NJ) An earlier membership organization founded in 1983 that promoted excellence in computer journalism. Its annual awards honored outstanding examples in print, broadcast and electronic media. The CPA disbanded in 2000. Ocala, Fla. Editor's note Editor's Note (foaled in 1993 in Kentucky) is an American thoroughbred Stallion racehorse. He was sired by 1992 U.S. Champion 2 YO Colt Forty Niner, who in turn was a son of Champion sire Mr. Prospector and out of the mare, Beware Of The Cat. Trained by D. : Perhaps our use of the word "sidestep" gave the wrong impression in this case, and if so, we apologize a·pol·o·gize intr.v. a·pol·o·gized, a·pol·o·giz·ing, a·pol·o·giz·es 1. To make excuse for or regretful acknowledgment of a fault or offense. 2. To make a formal defense or justification in speech or writing. to our readers and to Bruce Malott, the subject of our case study. Malott's use of a personal credit card to make purchases for the firm is hardly "stepping off the straight and narrow." Credit card companies set lower limits on corporate cards to protect themselves in case the company goes out of business, and higher ones for individuals who are willing to assume personal responsibility for charges--as Malott did. His clever use of the card, in fact, benefited his firm, his clients and the credit card company. |
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