Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bunhill: First Bunhill/Scrooge Award

Patrick Hosking
Saturday 13 November 1993 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

IT'S the time of year when cost-conscious managers can really prove their machismo. The office Christmas party is a challenging opportunity for penny- pinching managers to ration the mince pies and water down the mulled wine.

The first Bunhill/Scrooge award of 1993 goes to Reed Business Publishing, the Sutton-based arm of the Reed- Elsevier publishing collossus, which makes annual profits of more than pounds 400m. An internal memo to managers from John Matthews, chief executive, reads, 'We have investigated various venues in and around Sutton, but have found none that compare with the advantages of holding the party here, at Quadrant House.' Ho ho ho.

'We have the internal expertise and resources in-house to make this party something to remember,' writes Mr Matthews, who is allocating a princely pounds 10 per head towards the festivities.

'We have a highly skilled committee with experts on a host of ideas for making this an expectional (sic) evening,' says Mr Matthews, who will doubtless be dipping into one of his own magazines, Caterer and Hotelkeeper, for seasonal tips. He signs off, urging his cohorts to pass on the message to their staff, thus helping communications 'enourmously' (sic).

More examples of Yuletide parsimony and/or illiteracy, please . . .

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in