Three Envelopes

Perhaps you've heard the story.

Her first day on the job, the CEO was somewhat annoyed to discover a stranger sitting in her office. She suddenly realized he was the recently ousted CEO.

"I won't take much of you time", he said. "I've left three envelopes in your top right-hand drawer, under the pens and pencils."

Seeing her quizzical look, he went on. "Some day you'll experience a crisis on the job. When you do, please open the first envelope."

She walked over to her desk. Sure enough, he'd left three envelopes tucked in her drawer. When she turned to look at him, he was gone. She quickly forgot his visit.

One month later

She left a staff meeting in a hurry. Everyone was up in arms over an employee who had died on the job. Apparently, several co-workers had complained to management about unsafe conditions, but no changes were made.

Her phone message light was blinking, but she ignored it. Probably a reporter, and she wasn't ready to deal with the press just yet. She grabbed a pencil from her drawer, and her eye fell on the corner of an envelope. "Oh well," she thought. "It can't hurt."

She tore open the envelope. Inside was a folded piece of paper with three words "Blame Your Predessor".

"Brilliant!" she thought, and immediatelly began drafting a press release.

Two months later

The CEO had lunch with her largest customer. At least, he was her largest customer before lunch was served. He spent the entire lunch complaining about customer service. Over dessert, he announced that he was taking his busines elsewhere.

On the way back to her office, she called her sales VP. The picture was worse than she realized. Several other large customers had gone over to the competition, also citing service problems. They had to do something fast to convince others to stay.

She pounced on the second envelope: "Reorganize Your Operations". "Hmmm," she thought. "It just might work. Realign customer service . . ."

Three months later

The CEO walked calmly out of the board meeting. Everyone on the board was upset. Their latest product was a disaster. Released a month late and dismissed by potential customers. She'd bet the company and her reputation on promises of success.

The first two envelopes had saved her. She was betting on the third. She opened it slowly and carefully. "Prepare Three Envelopes."