Akpos Joke: Three envelopes

Akpos had just been hired as the new
managing director of a large high tech
London-based corporation. The Managing
Director who was stepping down, met with
him privately and presented him with three
numbered envelopes. “Open these if you run
up against a problem you don’t think you can
solve,” he said.
Things went along pretty smoothly, but six
months later, sales took a downturn and
Akpos was really catching a lot of heat. After
he had done everything he could and still
was still not improving, he remembered the
envelopes.
He went to his drawer and took out the first
envelope. The message read, “Blame your
predecessor.” Akpos called a press
conference and tactfully laid the blame at the
feet of the previous MD. Satisfied with his
comments, the press – and The City
responded positively, sales began to pick up
and the problem was soon behind him.
About a year later, the company was again
experiencing a slight dip in sales, combined
with serious product problems. Having
learned from his previous experience, Akpos
quickly opened the second envelope. The
message read, “Reorganise.” This he did, and
the company quickly rebounded.
After several consecutive profitable quarters,
the company again fell on difficult times.
Akpos went to his office, closed the door and
opened the third envelope. The message
said: “Prepare three envelopes.”