New CEO
A man who had just been hired as the new CEO of a large
corporation met with the outgoing CEO, who gave him three
numbered envelopes. "Open these if you run up against a
problem you can't solve," he said.
Six months later, sales took a downturn and the new CEO was
really catching a lot of heat. Uncertain about how to
proceed, he remembered the envelopes. He went to his drawer
and took out the first envelope. The paper inside simply
said, "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." He did, and the company quickly rebounded.
After several consecutive profitable quarters, the company
once again fell on difficult times. The CEO headed straight
for the third envelope.
The message said, "Prepare three envelopes."