Ray S S
Silver Member
A new manager spends a week at his new office with the manager he is replacing. On the last day
the departing manager tells him, "I have left three numbered envelopes in the desk drawer. Open an
envelope if you encounter a crisis you can't solve."
Three months down the track there is a major drama, everything goes wrong-the usual stuff-andthe manager feels threatened by it all. He remembers the parting words of his predecesser and opens
the first envelope. The message inside says,"Blame your predecesser!" He does this and gets offr the hook.
About half a year later, the company is experiencing a dip in sales, combined with serious product
problems. The manager quickly opens the second envelope. The message reads, "Reorganize!" This he
does, and the company quickly rebounds.
Three months later, at his next crisis, he opens the third envelope.
The message inside says, "PREPARE THREE ENVELOPES!"
the departing manager tells him, "I have left three numbered envelopes in the desk drawer. Open an
envelope if you encounter a crisis you can't solve."
Three months down the track there is a major drama, everything goes wrong-the usual stuff-andthe manager feels threatened by it all. He remembers the parting words of his predecesser and opens
the first envelope. The message inside says,"Blame your predecesser!" He does this and gets offr the hook.
About half a year later, the company is experiencing a dip in sales, combined with serious product
problems. The manager quickly opens the second envelope. The message reads, "Reorganize!" This he
does, and the company quickly rebounds.
Three months later, at his next crisis, he opens the third envelope.
The message inside says, "PREPARE THREE ENVELOPES!"
