5/12/98

CEO problems 

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' 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."