IBM and Intel decided to have a canoe race on the Hudson River. Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race. On the big day, Intel won by a mile. The IBM management decided that a reason for the crushing defeat had to be found. A "Measurement Team" made up of senior management was formed. They would investigate and recommend appropriate action. They concluded that Intel had eight people rowing and one person steering, while IBM had one person rowing and eight people steering.

So IBM management hired a consulting company and paid them incredible amounts of money. They advised that too many people were steering the boat and not enough people were rowing. To prevent losing to Intel next year, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized. There would be four steering supervisors, three area steering superintendents and one assistant superintendent steering manager. IBM also implemented a new performance system that would give the one rower a greater incentive to work harder. The "Rowing Team Quality First Program" had meetings, dinners and included free pens for the rower. "We will give the rower empowerment and enrichments through this quality program," management said.

Next year, Intel won by two miles. Humiliated, IBM management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles and canceled all capital investments for the new equipment. Then they gave a "High Performance" award to the steering managers and distributed the rest of the money they saved as bonuses to the senior executives.

Yes, it is a typical big corporation thing. The joke came from an old friend, whom I worked with (at IBM) when you were literally in diapers. :)

Yep, I first met him in 1965. I have a son (eldest offspring) who is about a year older than you are. And, I really am a Grandpa with 3 grandchildren.