posted 09-19-2002 07:44 PM            

A Japanese company and an American company decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River. Both the teams practiced hard and long to reach their peak performance before the race. On
the big day the Japanese won by a mile.

Afterward, the American team became very discouraged and morally depressed. The American management decided the reason for the crushing defeat had to be found. 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 persons steering and one person rowing.

So American management hired a consulting company and paid them an incredible amount of money. They advised that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

To prevent losing to the Japanese
again next year, the rowing team's management structure was totally re-organized to 4 steering supervisors,
3 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager.