I do not think we need to discuss this ad nauseam. The reality is that kickbacks are happening. If you have been here long enough, you know which directors insist on using specific vendors for almost everything, regardless of whether those vendors are only average in certain areas.
To be frank, this is not just BD’s problem. It occurs in many IT organizations. However, at BD, it has reached a much higher level. This is making BD increasingly unappealing to professionals with strong moral and ethical standards, and it is pushing us toward a situation where this behavior becomes normalized.
It is not normal and never will be. It is unethical and it corrupts everyone involved.