Albatross Wisdom Enterprise (AWE) was a 21st Century concern. A history of far traveling, perspective insights from high places, and ability to work effectively in many environments had led them to be a pre-eminent advisor on global trade issues to many enterprises.
The Albatross sat at the ceremonial food table and partook of the local delicacy, something called “Fish Bar-B-Q”, along with a fiery local fermented local drink, “moonshine”, that was sure to cause unstable flight from more than tiny amounts. The local enterprise was thinking of a global expansion.
“What can AWE teach us about doing business across the water? What are the first things we need to do? What will it really cost? …”
With a casual flip of feathers the Albatross replied.
“AWE has answered these questions many times. I will tell you, the first time you hear the answers you will agree, and then proceed to make some costly mistakes anyway.”
Appalled, the local chief halted his drink in mid-sip.
“We are a smart enterprise. We hire the best people. We learn more every day. That’s why you’re here to teach us.”
The Albatross leaned in.
“You are right to be proud of your enterprise. You deserve your reputation for all those things. What AWE has learned is while some lessons are easy to hear, they are harder to take to heart and love.”
Pensive, the local chief considered briefly after putting his drink down untouched.
“You are right to warn us about the difference. The lessons the Japanese and Germans gave the world about quality were much harder to love (actually put into practice) than repeating the slogans.”
The Albatross considered briefly, and then intentionally took a tiny drink.
“We all learn. Today I learn from you how to consume ‘Fish-Bar-B-Q and moonshine’. Tomorrow we will talk of the government and companies across the water, and how they will learn from you -- how you think and drink.”
The local chief, focused and paying no attention to the lavish table before him, spoke.
“We had not considered we had to teach. We thought we were expected just to learn and earn.
As we are smart it was to be enough for us to prosper. I see now how we would cheat ourselves.”
The Albatross well pleased with the evening’s progress took another tiny sip.
“If you learn enough to avoid one or two mistakes your time with AWE will be well spent.
The North American enterprises can indeed be difficult. AWE will help.
It isn’t about learning, it’s about the love. Just like this rice moonshine.”
The moral of our fable is: Every enterprise needs to listen to learn, then love, and to then teach to prosper.
Come back next Friday to the next Ekalore Friday Fables
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