The door opened. Behind the desk sat a man, lit from behind, his face in shadow.
“Go in, he’s asking for you,” said the suited man.
“Don’t keep Mr Corleone waiting.”
I walked in slowly. The light glinted on the frames of Mr Corleone’s glasses.
“Manny,” he said. “About time.”
I felt a bead of sweat run down my back.
“I’m sorry I was out on errands when the message was left for me.”
Mr Corleone grimaced.
“What, you don’t have a cell phone? It’s not the 1970s any more, Manny, get with the times…”
“I’m sorry Mr Corleone.”
I looked down at my feet.
“Manny, what’s the first thing I told you about me?”
I wracked my brains.
“That loyalty is everything?” I asked.
He laughed.
“Well, it IS, but no. That’s what my father Vito taught me. I meant what I told you when I hired you in the business. That I respect those that tell me the truth, no matter how hard it is.”
I nodded: “Yes, Mr Corleone, I remember that.”
“So, Manny, now we’re a legit family business on the right side of the law, I’ve been looking at the things we should do to protect the environment. Like not dumping things in the river, making sure our restaurants use sustainable fish, that sort of thing.”
I nodded again and he went on: “See, I’ve been looking at the hard truth about the situation with the environment and I know that it’s bad and we have to act. All of us. Everyone must do their bit. So, I’m going to make you an offer you cannot refuse…”
I felt more beads of sweat, this time on my top lip.
He carried on: “I’m going to give you the job of carrying out an environmental audit of our policies and practices. Then, I’m going to expect some solutions to help us stay legal and make sure our customers are happy with the way we look after the environment. Our business has a duty of care to the environment and the public.”
Such a relief!
“Thank you, Mr Corleone, I won’t let you down.”
He nodded.
“I know you won’t, Manny. You’re a father too, so you understand that it’s all for them…”
Mr Corleone pointed to the picture of his children on his desk.
“Yes, sir. I do. That’s why I’ll call on the help of experts from Penarth Management who have carried out many audits like this.”
Mr Corleone said: “Good, the more expertise we have, the better.”
“Sir, they also recommend online compliance software to help businesses like ours get access to all the documents we need wherever we are. It’s called Mango.”
Mr Corleone stood up.
“Mango…nice name…and you can use it anywhere…even on a cell phone?”
He was smiling.
“Yes, sir, and I will get a smartphone this afternoon.”
He walked around the desk and clapped me on the shoulder.
“Yes, Manny, I know you will!”
We’ll help you ensure your business is legit, sustainable, and complying with the environmental rules. Call on our experts at Penarth Management on 029 2070 3328 or email info@penarth.co.uk. We can help you achieve ISO 14001 too. Find out how online compliance software like Mango also benefits your business. Book a free demonstration which will be delivered via Zoom.
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