Think HBR

FUNNY BUSINESS

German scientists dug 50 metres underground and discovered small pieces of copper. After studying these pieces for a long time, Germany announced that the ancient Germans 25,000 years ago had a nationwide telephone network.
Naturally, the British government was not that easily impressed. They ordered their own scientists to dig even deeper. 100 metres down, they found small pieces of glass, and they soon announced that the ancient Brits 35,000 years ago already had a nationwide fibre net.
Irish scientists dug 50, 100 and 200 metres underground, but found absolutely nothing. They concluded that the ancient Irish 55,000 years ago had cellular telephones.
 
 
The computer in my high school classroom recently started acting up. After watching me struggle with it, one of my students took over.
"Your hard drive crashed," he said.
I called the computer services office and explained, "My computer is down. The hard drive crashed."
"We can’t just send people down on your say-so. How do you know that’s the problem?"
"A student told me," I answered.
"We’ll send someone over right away."
 
 
A young policeman from the Drug Investigation Unit stopped at a farm and stomped up to the old farmer, flashed his badge and said “I need to inspect your farm for illegally grown drugs. See this badge it means I can look anywhere.”
The farmer said, “OK, but you won’t find anything illegal here. Our family has been . . . .
“Yes, whatever. I will be the judge of that,” said the policeman while flashing his badge in front of the farmer’s nose.
“That’s fine but don’t go to the south paddock until I have the chance to . . . . “
“Don’t tell me what I can and cannot do!” interrupted the young investigator. “This badge here means I can look anywhere! Don’t you understand that old man!”
The policeman headed straight for the south paddock.
Moments later the farmer heard loud screams, he looked up and saw the policeman running for his life, being chased by a giant bull.
With every step the bull was gaining ground on the officer who was clearly terrified.
The old farmer threw down his tools, ran as fast as he could to the fence, and yelled at the top of his lungs “Show him your badge son.
Show him your badge!”
 
 
QUOTE OF THE MONTH
“Business has only two functions - marketing and innovation.”
- Milan Kundera

Other Articles from this issue