US Business model: Lesson in parallel
A very large American manufacturer and its equally large Japanese competitor decided to hold a canoe race down the Detroit River, with the winner securing bragging rights for the following year. Both teams were given 30 days to develop their strategy and prepare their teams to reach peak performance before the race. On the big day, Team Japan won by a mile. Team America, very discouraged and disappointed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A canoe steering committee of senior managers was formed to investigate the root cause and recommend appropriate action. Their conclusion was that Team Japan had eight people rowing and one person steering, while Team America had eight people steering and one person rowing. Unsatisfied with the internal conclusions and feeling that a deeper study was in order, Team America's management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion. After considerable time and great expense, they...