Story of 3 Envelopes

I have decided to put this story on paper now for easy reference and fond recollection about our days at work. I realize that I have told this tale to so many of my friends already - especially when we are discussing the apathy shown by many Employees at many Workplaces.

I had read it long back in a Reader's Digest or something similar, and I think this approach probably holds true now more than ever - thanks to the dynamic job market, where getting another job is so easy. You just hang around at your current workplace as long as the patience & feel-good factor lasts - yours and theirs. When the going gets tough (i.e.tough questions start getting asked), you just move on.

Today, spending 3 years at a single organization is considered to be par for the course. Anything more than that and people (read: other prospect employers) begin to look upon you with suspicion. This is where the "Story of 3 Envelopes" actually helps. It tells you how you can play out these 3 years at work.

Here goes:
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 wits'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 sales, combined with serious product problems. Having learned from his previous experience, the CEO quickly opened the second envelope. The message read, "Reorganize." 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."