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 wit'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 sake, combined
with serious product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO
quickly opened the second envelope. The message read,"Reoganize." 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."