Organizational Structure ◾ 151
Things went along smoothly, but a few months later, sales took a down-
turn and the stock started to collapse. Then he remembered the three sealed
envelopes. He went to his drawer and opened the rst envelope. The mes-
sage read, “Blame the old CEO.”
The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame
at the feet of the previous CEO. Satised with his comments, Wall Street
responded positively and the problem was soon behind him.
About a year later, the company was again experiencing a great 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, Wall Street was appeased, and the
company’s stock quickly rebounded.
After several consecutive protable quarters, the company once again fell
on difcult times. The CEO went to his ofce, closed the door, and opened
the third and last envelope.
The message said, “Write three envelopes.”
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