Owner: Business Fables and Management Lessons URL:http://fairy-tales-fables-business.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Sat, 03 Mar 2007 00:05:23 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: Powerful lessons for CEOs, executives, leaders, managers and marketers on business, management, corporate strategies, leadership, decision making tools drawn from famous fables and stories. Site statistics:Click here
Corporate Governance and Transparent Leadership 2007-02-02 15:57:00 The Jay and the PeacockA Jay venturing into a yard where Peacocks used to walk, foundthere a number of feathers which had fallen from the Peacockswhen they were moulting. He tied them all to his tail and strutteddown towards the Peacocks. When he came near them they soondiscovered the cheat, and striding up to him pecked at him andplucked away his borrowed plumes. So the Jay could do no betterthan go back to the other Jays, who had watched his behaviorfrom a distance; but they were equally annoyed with him, andtold him:"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."Moral:Fine feathers do not make fine birds.Make-up may do wonders but deep inside, you are who you are.Kidding me:For some light-hearted humor, the fable continues ...Peacock, being proud but brainless, decided to teach Jay a lesson.He tricked Jay to go up a cliff with him. When Jay was marvellingat the surrounding scenery, Peacock pushed Jay off the cliff.Furious that Jay was not killed, but was instead flying merr Read more:Transparent
, Leadership
Effective and Efficient Meetings 2007-01-21 18:29:00 Belling the CatLong ago, the mice had a general council to consider whatmeasures they could take to outwit their common enemy, the Cat.Some said this, and some said that; but at last a young mouse gotup and said he had a proposal to make, which he thought wouldmeet the case. "You will all agree," said he, "that our chief dangerconsists in the sly and treacherous manner in which the enemyapproaches us. Now, if we could receive some signal of herapproach, we could easily escape from her. I venture, therefore,to propose that a small bell be procured, and attached by a ribbonround the neck of the Cat. By this means we should always knowwhen she was about, and could easily retire while she was in theneighborhood."This proposal met with general applause, until an old mouse gotup and said: "That is all very well, but who is to bell the Cat?"The mice looked at one another and nobody spoke. Then theold mouse said:"It is easy to propose impossible remedies."Moral:It is much easier said than Read more:Meetings
Christmas tale and generous managers 2006-12-17 18:43:00 The Little Match Girl(media kit from atlantafilmfestival.com)Most terribly cold it was; it snowed, and was nearly quite dark,and evening-- the last evening of the year. In this cold anddarkness there went along the street a poor little girl,bareheaded, and with naked feet. When she left home she hadslippers on, it is true; but what was the good of that? Theywere very large slippers, which her mother had hitherto worn;so large were they; and the poor little thing lost them as shescuffled away across the street, because of two carriages thatrolled by dreadfully fast.One slipper was nowhere to be found; the other had been laidhold of by an urchin, and off he ran with it; he thought itwould do capitally for a cradle when he some day or othershould have children himself. So the little maiden walked onwith her tiny naked feet, that were quite red and blue fromcold. She carried a quantity of matches in an old apron, andshe held a bundle of them in her hand. Nobody had boughtanything of her th Read more:Christmas
, generous
Innovative marketing and packaging 2006-12-11 09:15:00 The Two Pots(Illus by Arthur Rackham)Two Pots had been left on the bank of a river, one of brass, andone of earthenware. When the tide rose they both floated offdown the stream. Now the earthenware pot tried its best tokeep aloof from the brass one, which cried out: "Fear nothing,friend, I will not strike you.""But I may come in contact with you," said the other, "if I cometoo close; and whether I hit you, or you hit me, I shall suffer for it."Moral:The strong and the weak cannot keep company.Equals make the best friends.A small difference can lead to major consequences.Kidding me:Here are some pics I received in my email long ago. They shouldtickle your creative tastebuds. Quotable Quotes:“The driving force for the development of new products is ... the imagination of people.”... David Packard“Don't sell the steak; sell the sizzle.” ... Elmer Wheeler“The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect but by the play instinct.”... Carl Gustav Read more:Innovative
Customer service – accept blame, own the problem 2006-12-11 08:23:00 The Rivers and the SeaThe Rivers joined together to complain to the Sea, saying, "Whyis it that when we flow into your tides so potable and sweet, youwork in us such a change, and make us salty and unfit to drink?"The Sea, perceiving that they intended to throw the blame onhim, said, "Pray cease to flow into me, and then you will not bemade briny."Moral:Don't blame others for a situation caused by you.Kidding me:Quotable Quotes:“Positive feedback makes the strong grow stronger and the weak grow weaker.” ... Carl Shapiro“When things go wrong you have to pass the blame along the line, like pass-the-parcel, till the music stops.”... Tom Stoppard“Cheers hearten a man. But jeers are just as essential. They help maintain his sense of balance and proportion.”... Jay E. House“Some of us aren't paying enough attention to our customers.” ... Thomas J. Watson, Sr.“Profits in business comes from repeat customers.”... W. Edwards Deming“Things that are done, it is needless Read more:Customer
Autocrats, dictators, and dominant bosses 2006-12-11 07:47:00 The Frogs desiring a King(Illus by Harrison Weir, John Tenniel, Ernest Griset)The Frogs were living as happy as could be in a marshy swampthat just suited them; they went splashing about caring fornobody and nobody troubling with them. But some of themthought that this was not right, that they should have a kingand a proper constitution, so they determined to send up apetition to Jove to give them what they wanted. "Mighty Jove,"they cried, "send unto us a king that will rule over us and keepus in order." Jove laughed at their croaking, and threw downinto the swamp a huge Log, which came down splashing intothe swamp. The Frogs were frightened out of their lives bythe commotion made in their midst, and all rushed to the bankto look at the horrible monster; but after a time, seeing that itdid not move, one or two of the boldest of them ventured outtowards the Log, and even dared to touch it; still it did notmove. Then the greatest hero of the Frogs jumped upon theLog and commenced d Read more:dictators
, bosses
Business strategy based on false assumptions 2006-12-08 16:11:00 The One-Eyed Doe(Illus by Harrison Weir, John Tenniel, Ernest Griset)A Doe had had the misfortune to lose one of her eyes, and couldnot see any one approaching her on that side. So to avoid anydanger she always used to feed on a high cliff near the sea, withher sound eye looking towards the land. By this means shecould see whenever the hunters approached her on land, andoften escaped by this means. But the hunters found out that shewas blind of one eye, and hiring a boat rowed under the cliffwhere she used to feed and shot her from the sea. "Ah," criedshe with her dying voice,"You cannot escape your fate."Moral:Trouble comes from the direction we least expect it.Kidding me:Don't let people exploit your weaknesses. Hide them. Perhapsthat is one reason why the visually handicapped tend to weardark glasses. Nobody will notice their handicap on a brightsunny day. For the same reason, it will be strange for thehearing impaired to wear earmuffs as it is simply toonoticeable.Quotable Read more:Business
, false
, assumptions
, Business strategy
Focus on your proven strategy 2006-11-30 14:16:00 The Fox and the CatA Fox was boasting to a Cat of its clever devices for escaping itsenemies. "I have a whole bag of tricks," he said, "which containsa hundred ways of escaping my enemies.""I have only one," said the Cat; "but I can generally manage withthat." Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of houndscoming towards them, and the Cat immediately scampered up atree and hid herself in the boughs. "This is my plan," said the Cat."What are you going to do?" The Fox thought first of one way,then of another, and while he was debating the hounds camenearer and nearer, and at last the Fox in his confusion was caughtup by the hounds and soon killed by the huntsmen. Miss Puss,who had been looking on, said:"Better one safe way than a hundred on which you cannot reckon."Moral:One sure plan is better than a hundred options.Kidding me:Ah ... If you have a bag of tricks, be sure to label and catalogthem so that you can easily locate the appropriate one. Haveyou not seen a lady e Read more:Focus
Importance of planning 2006-11-30 14:01:00 The Ant and the Grasshopper(Illus by Arthur Rackham)In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about,chirping and singing to its heart's content. An Ant passed by,bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to thenest."Why not come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper,"instead of toiling and moiling in that way?""I am helping to lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "andrecommend you to do the same.""Why bother about winter?" said the Grasshopper; we have gotplenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way andcontinued its toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper hadno food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the antsdistributing every day corn and grain from the stores they hadcollected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper knew:It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.Moral:It is best to prepare for the days of necessity.Kidding me:This is an edited version of the rather hilarious parodywritten by Jim Quinn:-When winter Read more:planning
Communicate truthfully and effectively 2006-11-30 13:49:00 The Monkey and the Dolphin(Illus by Arthur Rackham)A Sailor, bound on a long voyage, took with him a Monkey toamuse him while on shipboard. As he sailed off the coast ofGreece, a violent tempest arose in which the ship was wreckedand he, his Monkey, and all the crew were obliged to swim fortheir lives. A Dolphin saw the Monkey contending with thewaves, and supposing him to be a man (whom he is alwayssaid to befriend), came and placed himself under him, toconvey him on his back in safety to the shore. When theDolphin arrived with his burden in sight of land not far fromAthens, he asked the Monkey if he were an Athenian. Thelatter replied that he was, and that he was descended fromone of the most noble families in that city. The Dolphinthen inquired if he knew the Piraeus (the famous harborof Athens). Supposing that a man was meant, the Monkeyanswered that he knew him very well and that he was anintimate friend. The Dolphin, indignant at these falsehoods,dipped the Monkey under th Read more:Communicate
Value every team member 2006-11-30 13:37:00 The Lion and the Mouse(Illus by Erin O'Leary Brown)Once when a Lion was asleep a little Mouse began running upand down upon him; this soon wakened the Lion, who placedhis huge paw upon him, and opened his big jaws to swallowhim. "Pardon, O King," cried the little Mouse: "forgive methis time, I shall never forget it: who knows but what I maybe able to do you a turn some of these days?" The Lion wasso tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him, thathe lifted up his paw and let him go. Some time after the Lionwas caught in a trap, and the hunters who desired to carry himalive to the King, tied him to a tree while they went in searchof a waggon to carry him on. Just then the little Mousehappened to pass by, and seeing the sad plight in which theLion was, went up to him and soon gnawed away the ropesthat bound the King of the Beasts. "Was I not right?" said thelittle Mouse.Moral:Little friends may prove great friends.Never judge a book by its cover.Kidding me:Good things Read more:Value
, every
, team member
Walk away from a bad deal 2006-11-30 13:22:00 The Lion in Love(Illus by Harrison Weir, John Tenniel, Ernest Griset)A Lion once fell in love with a beautiful maiden and proposedmarriage to her parents. The old people did not know what tosay. They did not like to give their daughter to the Lion, yetthey did not wish to enrage the King of Beasts. At last thefather said: "We feel highly honoured by your Majesty'sproposal, but you see our daughter is a tender young thing,and we fear that in the vehemence of your affection you mightpossibly do her some injury. Might I venture to suggest thatyour Majesty should have your claws removed, and yourteeth extracted, then we would gladly consider your proposalagain." The Lion was so much in love that he had his clawstrimmed and his big teeth taken out. But when he came againto the parents of the young girl they simply laughed in hisface, and bade him do his worst.Moral:Love can tame the wildest.Misfortune awaits those who love unwisely.Kidding me:Parents-in-law are the cunniest creatures o
Give genuine appraisals 2006-11-30 13:11:00 The Fox and the Crow(Illus by Arthur Rackham)A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in itsbeak and settle on a branch of a tree. "That's for me, as Iam a Fox," said Master Reynard, and he walked up to thefoot of the tree. "Good-day, Mistress Crow," he cried. "Howwell you are looking today; how glossy your feathers; howbright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that ofother birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but onesong from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds."The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, butthe moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fellto the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox. "Thatwill do," said he. "That was all I wanted. In exchange foryour cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future.Do not trust flatterers."Moral:Do not trust flatterers.Kidding me:Never talk with your mouth full; you never know what youmay drop out of it. More so if you have false teeth.Quotable Quotes: Read more:appraisals
Bosses who want their way 2006-11-30 12:52:00 The Wolf and the Lamb(Illus by Harrison Weir, John Tenniel, Ernest Griset)Once upon a time a Wolf was lapping at a spring on a hillside,when, looking up, what should he see but a Lamb justbeginning to drink a little lower down. "There's my supper,"thought he, "if only I can find some excuse to seize it."Then he called out to the Lamb, "How dare you muddlethe water from which I am drinking?""Nay, master, nay," said Lambikin, "if the water be muddyup there, I cannot be the cause of it, for it runs down fromyou to me.""Well, then," said the Wolf, "why did you call me bad namesthis time last year?""That cannot be," said the Lamb, "I am only six months old.""I don't care," snarled the Wolf, "if it was not you it was yourfather;" and with that he rushed upon the poor little Lamb andWARRA WARRA WARRA WARRA WARRA ate her all up.But before she died she gasped out "Any excuse will serve atyrant."Moral:The tyrant will always find an excuse for his acts of tyranny.Kidding me:If the lamb is so s
Leaders must be decisive 2006-11-30 12:12:00 The Miller, His Son, and Their Ass(Illus by Arthur Rackham)A Miller and his son were driving their Ass to a neighboring fairto sell him. They had not gone far when they met with a troop ofwomen collected round a well, talking and laughing. "Look there,"cried one of them, "did you ever see such fellows, to be trudgingalong the road on foot when they might ride?” The old manhearing this, quickly made his son mount the Ass, and continuedto walk along merrily by his side.Presently they came up to a group of old men in earnest debate.“There," said one of them, "it proves what I was a-saying.What respect is shown to old age in these days? Do you seethat idle lad riding while his old father has to walk? Get down,you young scapegrace, and let the old man rest his weary limbs."Upon this the old man made his son dismount, and got up himself.In this manner they had not proceeded far when they met acompany of women and children. "Why, you lazy old fellow,"cried several tongues at once, "h Read more:Leaders
, decisive
Incentives give the extra push to succeed 2006-11-30 11:56:00 The Hare and the Hound(Illus by Arthur Rackham)A Hound started a Hare from his lair, but after a long run, gave upthe chase. A goat-herd seeing him stop, mocked him, saying,"The little one is the best runner of the two." The Hound replied,"You do not see the difference between us: I was only running fora dinner, but he for his life."Moral:Incentive spurs effort.Kidding me:Do everything as if it is the last thing you do in life. One day, youwill be right.Quotable Quotes:“In every work a reward added makes the pleasure twice as great.” ... Euripides“Get to know your people. What they do well, what they enjoy doing, what their weaknesses and strengths are, and what they want and need to get from their job.”... Robert Townsend“If you don't understand what makes people tick, they won't tick.” ... Robert Swan“There are two things people want more than sex and money – recognition and praise.” ... Mary Kay Ash“Money isn't what motivates entrepreneurs; it is acknowled Read more:Incentives
Staff is the most valuable asset 2006-11-30 11:36:00 The Goose with the Golden EggsOne day a countryman going to the nest of his Goose found therean egg all yellow and glittering. When he took it up it was asheavy as lead and he was going to throw it away, because hethought a trick had been played upon him. But he took it homeon second thoughts, and soon found to his delight that it was anegg of pure gold. Every morning the same thing occurred, and hesoon became rich by selling his eggs. As he grew rich he grewgreedy; and thinking to get at once all the gold the Goose couldgive, he killed it and opened it only to find nothing.Moral:Greed oft o'er reaches itself.Greed destroys the source of good.Kidding me:Foolish to kill the goose. A financial consultant may havesuggested better ways to make more money from thisextraordinary find. The top 5 ways to make money from agoose that lays golden eggs are:-Hatch the eggs, breed more geese that can lay more golden eggs.List the goose on the stock exchange.Clone the goose.Clinch sponsorship and ad Read more:Staff
Do not fear competition 2006-11-30 11:24:00 The Fox and the Lion(Illus by Arthur Rackham)When first the Fox saw the Lion he was terribly frightened, andran away and hid himself in the wood. Next time he came nearthe King of Beasts, however, he stopped at a safe distance, andwatched him pass by. The third time they came near oneanother, the Fox went straight up to the Lion, and passed thetime of day with him, asking him how his family were, andwhen he should have the pleasure of seeing him again. Thenturning his tail, he parted from the Lion without much ceremony.Moral:Familiarity breeds contempt.Acquaintance softens prejudices.Kidding me:To retain their power status, bosses are wise to remain in theirhigh chair and contact staff only through email or SMS.Quotable Quotes:“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”... Franklin D. Roosevelt“I feel sorry for those who live without competition
... fat, dumb, and unhappy in cradle-to-grave security.”... Donald M. Kendall“This is not an age of castles, moats, and armor w
Set realistic goals 2006-11-30 11:07:00 The Fox and the Grapes (Illus by Harrison Weir, John Tenniel, Ernest Griset)One hot summer's day a Fox was strolling through an orchard tillhe came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which hadbeen trained over a lofty branch. "Just the thing to quench mythirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run anda jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with aOne, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success.Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at lasthad to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air,saying: "I am sure they are sour."Moral:It is easy to despise what you cannot get.Kidding me:Hard work alone does not pay. We should learn to work smartand utilise all the resources available to us. In this case, whyjump when a ladder is all it needs to get up the vine.Enjoy this Stress Relief game, courtesy of Miniclip.com.Quotable Quotes:“The goals on which hope are based have to be realistic.” ... Arthur Lydiard“
Learn the Art of Saying NO 2007-03-12 21:09:00 The Man and His Two WivesIn the old days, when men were allowed to have many wives, amiddle-aged Man had one wife that was old and one that wasyoung; each loved him very much, and desired to see him likeherself.Now the Man's hair was turning grey, which the young Wife didnot like, as it made him look too old for her husband. So everynight she used to comb his hair and pick out the white ones. Butthe elder Wife saw her husband growing grey with great pleasure,for she did not like to be mistaken for his mother. So everymorning she used to arrange his hair and pick out as many of theblack ones as she could. The consequence was the Man soonfound himself entirely bald.Moral:Yield to all and you will soon have nothing to yield.He that submits his principles to the influence and caprices ofopposite parties will end in having no principles at all.Quotable Quotes:“What is a rebel? A man who says no.” ... Albert Camus“'Then you should say what you mean,' the March Hare went on.'I
Dreams, Goals, and Motivation 2007-04-18 19:19:00 The Milkmaid and her Pail
(Illus by Milo Winter)
Patty the Milkmaid was going to market carrying her milk in a
Pail on her head. As she went along she began calculating what
she would do with the money she would get for the milk. "I'll
buy some fowls from Farmer Brown," said she, "and they will
lay eggs each morning, which I will sell to the parson's wife.
With the money that I get from the...
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Read more:Dreams
, Goals
Trust Gut Instincts and Intuition 2007-05-02 13:46:00 The Dog, the Cock, and the Fox
(Illus by Milo Winter)
A Dog and a Cock, who were the best of friends, wished very
much to see something of the world. So they decided to
leave the farmyard and to set out into the world along the
road that led to the woods. The two comrades traveled along
in the very best of spirits and without meeting any adventure
to speak of.
At nightfall the Cock, looking for a place to roost, as was his
custom, spied nearby a hollow tree that he thought would do
very nicely for a night's lodging. The Dog could creep inside
and the Cock would fly up on one of the branches. So said, so
done, and both slept very comfortably.
With the first glimmer of dawn the Cock awoke. For the
moment he forgot just where he was. He thought he was still
in the farmyard where it...
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Leaders as Role Models 2007-05-12 18:46:00 The Young Thief and his Mother
(Illus by Cassatt, Mary: The Young Mother)
A young Man had been caught in a daring act of theft and had
been condemned to be executed for it. He expressed his desire
to see his Mother, and to speak with her before he was led to
execution, and of course this was granted. When his Mother
came to him he said: "I want to whisper to you," and when she
brought her ear near him, he nearly bit it off. All the bystanders
were horrified, and asked him what he could mean by such
brutal and inhuman conduct. "It is to punish her," he said.
"When I was young I began with stealing little things, and
brought them home to Mother. Instead of rebuking and
punishing me, she laughed and said: "It will not be noticed."
It is because of her that I am here to-day."
"He is...
Read more:Leaders
Cope with Work Stress 2007-05-25 00:08:00 The Ass and The Mule
A Muleteer set forth on a journey, driving before him an Ass and
a Mule, both well laden. The Ass, as long as he traveled along the
plain, carried his load with ease, but when he began to ascend the
steep path of the mountain, felt his load to be more than he could
bear. He entreated his companion to relieve him of a small
portion, that he might carry home the rest; but the Mule paid no
attention to the request.
The Ass shortly afterwards fell down dead under his burden. Not
knowing what else to do in so wild a region, the Muleteer placed
upon the Mule the load carried by the Ass in addition to his own,
and at the top of all placed the hide of the Ass, after he had
skinned him.
The Mule, groaning beneath his heavy burden, said to himself:
"I am treated according...
Conflict Resolution at Work 2007-06-07 02:53:00 The Eagle and the Beetle
(Illus by Milo Winter)
An Eagle was chasing a hare, which was running for dear life and
was at her wits' end to know where to turn for help. Presently
she espied a Beetle, and begged it to aid her. So when the Eagle
came up the Beetle warned her not to touch the hare, which was
under its protection. But the Eagle never noticed the Beetle
because it was so small,
Read more:Conflict
, Resolution
The Boss is Always Right 2007-06-16 02:13:00 The Animals and the Plague
(Illus by Milo Winter)
Once upon a time a severe plague raged among the animals.
Many died, and those who lived were so ill, that they cared for
neither food nor drink, and dragged themselves about listlessly.
No longer could a fat young hen tempt Master Fox to dinner,
nor a tender lamb rouse greedy Sir Wolf's appetite.
At last the Lion decided to call a council.
Read more:Right
Problem Solving: Define Problem 2007-06-27 09:09:00 The Crow and the Pitcher
(Illus by Milo Winter)
In a spell of dry weather, when the Birds could find very little to
drink, a thirsty Crow found a pitcher with a little water in it. But
the pitcher was high and had a narrow neck, and no matter how
he tried, the Crow could not reach the water. The poor thing
felt as if he must die of thirst.
Then an idea came to him. Picking up some small
Read more:Problem
Value Ideas and Staff Suggestions 2007-07-11 08:24:00 The Cock and the Jewel
(Illus by Arthur Rackham)
A Cock was busily scratching and scraping about to find
something to eat for himself and his family, when he happened
to turn up a precious jewel that had been lost by its owner.
"Aha!" said the Cock. "No doubt you are very costly and he who
lost you would give a great deal to find you. But as for me, I
would choose a single grain of
Read more:Value
, Staff
Boss's pet and Favoritism 2007-07-18 10:36:00 The Dog and the Wolf
(Illus by Milo Winter)
A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to
meet a House-dog who was passing by. "Ah, Cousin," said the
Dog.
"I knew how it would be; your irregular life will soon be the ruin
of you. Why do you not work steadily as I do, and get your food
regularly given to you?"
"I would have no objection," said the Wolf, "if I could only get
Teamwork - A Competitive Advantage 2007-07-31 10:01:00 The Bundle of Sticks
A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever
quarreling among themselves. No words he could say did the
least good, so he cast about in his mind for some very striking
example that should make them see that discord would lead them
to misfortune.
One day when the quarreling had been much more violent than
usual and each of the Sons was moping in a surly manner,
Read more:Advantage
, Competitive
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