A fellow had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech

corporation. The CEO who was stepping down met with him privately

and presented him with three numbered envelopes. "Open these if you

run up against a problem you don't think you can solve," he said.

Well, things went along pretty smoothly, but six months later, sales

took a downturn and he was really catching a lot of heat. About at

his wits's end, he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer

and took out the first envelope. The message read, "Blame your

predecessor."

The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame

at the feet of the previous CEO. Satisfied with his comments, the

press -- and Wall Street -- responded positively, sales began to

pick up and the problem was soon behind him.

About a year later, the company was again experiencing a slight dip

in sales, combined with serious product problems. Having learned

from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second

envelope. The message read, "Reorganize." This he did, and the

company quickly rebounded.

After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company once

again fell on difficult times. The CEO went to his office, closed

the door and opened the third envelope.

The message said, "Prepare three envelopes..."

 

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