Canthook

In keeping with a White House ritual, Dubya left a note for Obama in his desk in the Oval Office, wishing him well as he takes the reins of power.

According to Dana Perino, Dubya's press secretary, "I won't provide any details, but the theme is similar to what he's said since election night about the fabulous new chapter President-elect Obama is about to start, and that he wishes him the very best."

I could do better, I think. Barack Obama represents something special to all us mutts, all of us with big ears and funny names. Oh, yeah, and all those of us who aren't dead white men.

There's a story about a corporate CEO who finds three numbered envelopes in his desk when he takes over his job. A note with the envelopes says that when he gets into trouble, he should open an envelope.

And sure as the world, about 9 months down the road, the economy hits a slowdown, and the new CEO finds that the company isn't meeting its sales goals. He opens the first envelope. Inside is a 3x5 index card, and on it, it says, "Blame your predecessor."

He does that, and when the economy picks up, he is doing just fine. Things go well for a couple of years, and new competitors appear, with the result that the company isn't meeting its sales goals. He opens the second envelope. Inside is a 3x5 index card, and on it, it says, "Reorganize".

Maybe it was the reorganization, and maybe not, but a few months down the road, the company starts to pull out of its nosedive, and start doing better again.

And after a couple more years, prices on supplies shoot sky high, and when he raises prices to cover his costs, demand drops. Uh, oh, he says to himself. This is my last envelope. What will I do next time? But at least, he's covered for this downturn.

He goes to his desk, opens the third envelope, and reads the index card within. It says, "Prepare three envelopes."
Other Bloggers On Related Topics:
Blame your predecessor - CEO - Prepare three envelopes - Reorganize