Alas,

We have all seen it happen.


>>A Japanese company and an American company decided to have a canoe race on
>>the Mississippi 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. Afterwards, the American team became very discouraged and morally
>>depressed.
>>
>>The American management decided that the reason for the crushing defeat
>>had to be found. A "Measurement Team," made up of senior management was
>>formed. They would investigate and recommend appropriate action.
>>
>>Their conclusion was that the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person
>>steering, while the Americans had 1 person rowing and 8 people
>>steering. So American management hired a consulting company and paid them
>>incredible amounts of money. The consultants advised that too many people
>>were steering the boat and not enough people were rowing. To prevent
>>losing to the Japanese again next year, the rowing team's management
>>structure was totally reorganized to 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 a free
>>ballpoint pen for the rower: "We must give the rower empowerment and
>>enrichment through this quality program."
>>
>>The next year the Japanese won by 2 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. Then they gave a High
>>Performance Award to the steering managers and distributed the money
>>saved, as bonuses to the senior executives.
>>
>>The End.............