Transparency is one of the most important benchmark when it comes to good governance, be it in the political arena or in the corporate world.

Anyone who is serious about combating frauds, corruptions and cronyism will agree that a highly transparent policy is very important. And one would also agree that the biggest enemy in transparency would be the introduction of human element into the system. In other words, without human’s involvement, there’s no need for transparency because no one would be bothered to hide anything.

Hence, to achieve a high degree of transparency, it’s not only important to put into place the infrastructure that facilitates transparency, but also to eliminate obstacles that can hinder the pursuit of a highly transparent environment.

How can this be done? For a start, everything should be computerized. Not only it makes alot of sense in computerizing data for archiving purpose, it also makes it easy for retrieval and future references. If you are serious about transparency, you cannot afford not to computerize your entire pipeline. If you are still using alot of paperworks in the process and filing them up in document folders, you’ve still got a long way to go.

Data should also be easily accessible. What I mean by accessible is that data that is suppose to be public domain should remain public. Example, every transactions made by publicly listed companies should be easily available on the companies’ website, and investors need not trouble themselves to install any unnecessary software just to view the company’s track record. Acts like the Official Secrets Act should be made obsolete, and any individuals that proposes such act should be viewed as the ultimate obstacle in the mission to attain a highly transparent objective.

Since most data will be stored electronically, the best talents should be hired to manage such valuable assets. And these talents should be made from the ingredients of the highest integrity and reports to no one but all the stakeholders. Yes, even the CEO is not allowed to stand in their way, and there should be policies in place that protects these group of talents from possible threats. They only have one mission- to keep the record straight.

Yes, you might argue that it’s impossible to be too transparent. There might be risk that people will use the information for various malicious purposes. I personally think that if you are honest in your dealings, you have nothing to fear. Rather, there are more benefits to be reaped for being transparent. Your employees will appreciate you for the openness. Your shareholders will trust you for your credibility. People will stick with you through thick and thin, because they know you are doing your best for everyone’s sake.

Well, that being said, unfortunately, we still live in a very “humane” society.

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