A fellow had just been hired as the new CEO of a large high tech corporation．The CEO 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．
Well，things went along pretty smoothly．But six months later，sales took a downturn and he was really catching a lot of heat．About at his wit’s end，he remembered the envelopes．He went to his drawer and took out the first envelope．The message read，“Blame your predecessor．”The new CEO called a press conference and tactfully laid the blame at the feet of the previous CEO．Satisfied with his comments，the press—and Wall Street—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，the CEO quickly opened the second envelope．The message read，“Reorganize．”This he did，and the company quickly rebounded．
After several consecutive profitable quarters，the company once again fell on difficult times．The CEO went to his office，closed the door and opened the third envelope．The message said，“Prepare three envelopes．”
1.CEO - 首席执行官 (Chief Executive Officer)
2.high tech corporation - 高科技公司
3.stepping down - 卸任
4.envelopes - 信封
5.run up against - 遇到
6.predecessor - 前任
7.sales took a downturn - 销售额下降
8.catching a lot of heat - 遭受很多批评
9.at his wit’s end - 无计可施
10.press conference - 新闻发布会
11.tactfully - 巧妙地
12.rebounded - 反弹
13.profitable quarters - 盈利季度
14.fell on difficult times - 遇到困难时期
三个信封
一个高科技大企业的首席执行官刚刚上任。卸任的首席执行官私下里和他会面，交给他三个标上号码的信封，说：“当你遇到自己认为不能解决的问题时，就打开信封。”
一切都很顺利。但六个月后，公司的销售开始下降，首席执行官实在感到焦头烂额。正当他无计可施的时候，想起了那三个信封。他打开抽屉，拿出第一个信封。信里说：“把责任推到前任身上。”新首席执行官召开了新闻发布会，很巧妙地把责任都推给了前任。新闻界和华尔街对他的表态很满意，并做出了积极的反应。于是销售量上升了，问题很快得到解决。
大约一年以后，公司的销售额又缓慢下降，还伴随着严重的产品质量问题。总裁吸取了上次的经验，迅速地打开第二个信封。信里说：“重组。”他又照此办理，于是公司的业绩再次反弹。
经过连续几个利润丰厚的销售季节，公司又一次陷入困境。首席执行官走进办公室，关上门，打开第三个信封。信里说道：“准备三个信封。”