Shooting the messenger

Here’s a tip from Infosys CFO V Balakrishnan on how to parry a tough question without sounding defensive. He’s a movie buff who makes sure his passion is reflected in the reports on company accounts or when he talks to shareholders or the media. At the press conference to announce the latest quarterly results, a reporter from a foreign news agency asked: “How much closer are you people to announcing an acquisition because it is something which keeps coming up every quarter. Are you all any closer to shortlisting a couple of candidates?” Pat came the reply: “Do you remember the James Bond movie dialogue, ‘If I have to tell you I have to kill you’?”