Gobble or Gobble Out

Ahmad stood by the window in his penthouse office. He was taking in the beautiful view of the city. The people sprawled across like tiny ants are in his eyes. The businesses each held a potential he felt nobody else saw apart from him. He felt like a God high up in his heavens and looking for his next target. A weak business he could easily gobble up.

He was a capitalist-driven by his self-interest alone, and somehow, he was backed by the greedy few in power.

Today, his eyes were set on the "Ikenna Group", a family-owned Company in the agricultural business. They're known all over the country for their commitment to providing local farmers with affordable yet rich organic farm products known as ‘Green Heaven’.

From their fertilisers to the livestock feed. Although they are not a big name as Ahmed Holdings they lacked connections in the business world. But they've built their reputation for years amongst local farmers for their quality products sold at affordable prices. Their yearly turnover was a good percentage for a business as small as theirs.

And now Ahmad wanted a share of it. With all the control and company he had and had gobbled up he still wanted more like Oliver Twist.

He heard his door open as he swung around to see his secretary walk into the office "Sir, the Ikenna representatives are here".

He grinned. "It's about time", he muttered, stepping out of his office to the conference room where the Ikenna's were being hosted.

He walked in all smiles and of friendly cheer, pretending not to be the whale coming to swallow.

"Thank you for coming. I'm Mr Ahmad, CEO of the Ahmad Holdings", he introduced, extending his hands for a shake.

"Mr Ikenna, Group Head, Ikenna Group" Taking his hands in a firm shake, the representative, a man in his early sixties with a skin that tells of years under the sun, replied.

"Please, sit" Mr Ahmad made gestures with his hand. He made sure of the seat first before he settled in. "I believe you got my offer," he asked.

Ikenna nodded sitting upright "Yes, and we’re here to hear you out,”

'First I must commend you for the beautiful job you're doing in the agricultural sector. But if we're to be honest... if you're to be honest with yourself your company is presently lacking resources to take it to the global level. So I'm making you an offer to buy off your company for a good price," Ahmad said, as his secretary quickly placed two files before him, which he pushed towards Ikenna.

Ikenna picked it up, opened it and scanned through it. Then he closed it and pushed it back to Ahmad. "We never let out any SOS that our organisation needed saving nor do we have intentions of selling, Mr Ahmad. In your mail, you brought us here in the guise of a business proposal. What is this?" Ikenna asked, leaning on the table with a clenched fist.

"Isn't that what this is, Mr Ikenna" Ahmad replied, faking a smile.

Standing up, "No, it isn't. We've seen what people like you do to business you buy. It's all for your profit. Our business isn't for the profit alone but the interest of our clients, their trust and the reputation we've built over the years, too." Ikenna added.

Mr Ikenna knew who Ahmad was and how he doesn't back down once he makes you an offer. He has heard stories of how he buys off businesses with sweet tongues only to reduce the quality and increase the price of the product, killing the reputation it has built over the years. To Ahmad, it was all for his self-interest.

Ahmad stood up and walked closer to Ikenna, "Mr Ikenna, you and I know that this commitment of yours to your clients won't get you shelves in Kenya, Ethiopia or Ghana. Countries known for their agricultural influence. You'll still own shares in the company. I'm just talking about making you richer."

"If it were about the money we know exactly what we would have done. Sorry, but selling out would mean betraying the trust of our clients.” Then he walked towards the door "Have a nice day, Mr Ahmad".

Ahmad couldn't believe it, he wasn't a man that's used to hearing the word no. He was beginning to bubble with rage. He called out to Ikenna just as he got to the door with a cold voice

"Mr Ikenna, refusing to sell is an invitation to the competition that follows. Are you ready for it? Remember, in business, it's either you gobble or get gobbled." He threatened.

Ikenna's jaw tightened as he stood there staring at Ahmad who wore a wicked smile on his face. Without a word, Ikenna walked out of the room, making sure to slam the door behind him.

Ahmad stood there with rage in his eyes. This was the first time a business had ever rejected his proposal, even with the huge amount he was offering them.

"What do we do now?" His secretary asked.

He walked to the window and chuckled. "We draw them out. We will launch a competition that focuses on the same organic products and flood the market with them at an affordable price. Then, we watch them run back to us as they drown" he gave a wicked smile.

Just as he said, a few months later, he launched the new product and flooded the market with it at a very affordable rate. His action divided the market and a bigger portion of ignorant farmers who wanted affordable products flocked to Ahmad stores buying his "Fresh choice’'.

Little did they know that Ahmad's products were of lesser quality compared to Ikenna's Group's "Green Heaven" all because of his greed. This led to the farmers' crops and livestock dying of malnutrition.

Soon, he began losing customers again and his goods lost shelf value. Ahmad made a huge loss from Fresh Choice, and no matter how he tried to salvage the situation, nothing worked. As he had already lost the trust of the people.

One afternoon, Ahmad sat in his office counting his loss when his secretary barged into his office with worry on her face.

“Sir, you need to see this,” she said. She quickly turned on the TV and on the news was the headline.

“The Giant That Tried to Crush the Local Hero.”. The article was strong, focusing on his greed and antics of buying off companies just to eliminate competition.

Mr Ahmad smiled at another bad reputation for himself and his business in the space of weeks. He stood up and walked to the window, speechless, just staring blankly into the world.

Just then, his phone beeped. He quickly pulled it out of his pocket, it was a message.

"Remember, In business, it's either you gobble or get gobbled. - Mr Ikenna” the message read.

Ahmad smiled shamefully. His words have backfired to him.

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