In the past few months we have seen a flurry of reports detailing the lengths management in the investment banking fraternity have been willing to go to stop a continued exodus of staff across the rubicon to dot.com land. Once put-upon analysts are now allowed to dress down, sip free cappucino, make liberal use of a concierge service to organize their lives and in some cases, are even being given an underwear allowance when travelling for work and unable to use hotel laundry.
In Asia, however, Morgan Stanley remained unsure that it was getting the message across. And in the best liberal American tradition, the bank wanted to ensure that it was satisfying its staff's emotional as well as physical needs. Senior staff were to be encouraged to find the right balance between home and work, to spend more time with their families, address their inner child.
But it was felt that persuading hard-working bankers to take life a little easier would require a direct approach. An offsite was hit upon and it has just taken place. The time, the place, the day? Hong Kong last Saturday at 7am. A very convenient time to find the right balance between home and work.
