An American
businessman was at a pier in a small coastal Mexican village when a small boat
with just one fisherman docked. Inside
the small boat were several large yellow fin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the
quality of his fish and asked how long it took to catch them.
The Mexican replied
only a little while.
The American then asked
why didn't he stay out longer and catch more fish?
The Mexican said he had
enough to support his family's immediate needs.
The American then
asked, but what do you do with the rest of your time?
The Mexican fisherman
said, "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, take siesta
with my wife, Maria, stroll into the village each evening where I sip wine and
play guitar with my amigos, I have a full and busy life, senor."
The American scoffed,
"I am a Harvard MBA and could help you.
You should spend more time fishing and, with the proceeds, buy a bigger
boat. With the proceeds from the bigger
boat, you could buy several boats; eventually you would have a fleet of fishing
boats. Instead of selling your catch to a middleman you would sell directly to
the processor, eventually opening your own cannery. You would control the product, processing and
distribution. You would need to leave
this small coastal fishing village and move to Mexico City
The Mexican fisherman
asked, "But senor, how long will this all take?"
To which the American
replied, "15-20 years."
But what then, senor?
The American laughed
and said that's the best part. When the
time is right you would announce an IPO and sell your company stock to the
public and become very rich, you would make millions.
Millions, senor? Then what?
The American said,
"Then you would retire. Move to a
small coastal fishing village where you would sleep late, fish a little, play
with your kids, take siesta with your wife, stroll to the village in the evenings
where you could sip wine and play your guitar with your amigos."
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