too bad this has such underlying truth to it.

Sound familar?



A Japanese company and an American company decided to have a

Canoe race on the Missouri River. Both teams practiced long and hard to

Reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, the Japanese

Won by a mile. The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to

Investigate the reason for the crushing defeat.



A management team made up of senior management was formed to

Investigate and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was the

Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team

Had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing.



So American management hired a consulting company and paid

Them a large amount of money for a second opinion. They advised that too

Many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.



To prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team'*

Management structure was totally reorganized t o 4 steering supervisors, 3

Area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering

Manager.



They also implemented a new performance system that would give

The 1 person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was

Called the "Rowing Team Quality First Program," with meetings, dinners and

Free pens for the rower.



There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other

Equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses.



The next year the Japanese won by two miles. Humiliated, the

American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted

Development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital

Investments for new equipment.



The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as

Bonuses and the next year'* racing team was outsourced to India.
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