A boat race ...

A Japanese and a South African company decided to have a boat race as an annual event.

On the day of the race the Japanese had a manager and eight rowers in their boat. The South Africans had one senior manager, two assistant managers, three project leaders, one observer and two rowers in their boat. On the flight to Japan, the senior and assistant managers flew in Executive class seats, the projct leaders and observer flew in Business class seats and the rowers flew in Economy class seats.

The rowers of both teams really put in a gallant effort. The result was the Japanese won the race by ten lengths. The prize for winning was shared fairly by all those who contributed to the success of the Japanese team.

There was great concern amongst the South Africans. Top management demanded an explantation for having been thoroughly humiliated.

A thorough investigation was launched. Many meetings were held. The managers decided to bring in outside consultants to assist with the solution. They eventually came up with a great plan. Invest in a sleeker boat, wider oars and impress on the two rowers that their performance would have to improve.

The next year the Japanese won by fifteen lengths.

The South African managers were rewarded for comining up with such an excellent plan. The consultants were handsomely paid for their contribution. The rowers were retrenched. It was decided that the next year two outside rowers would do the rowing.