Then what?

[Guest guest]

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 the Mexican how he spent the rest

of his 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, then LA and eventually NYC where

you will run your expanding enterprise."

 

The Mexican fisherman asked, "But senor, how long will this

all take?"

 

To which the American replied, "15-20 years."

 

"But what then, senor?" asked the Mexican.

 

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. You'll become very rich, you

would make millions!"

 

"Millions, senor?" replied the Mexican. "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."