A story is told about an American businessman who was on vacation in
Central America (or, in some versions, it's Africa). While at the beach, he saw a local fisherman docking at shore
with many fish in tow. The American complimented the fisherman on his
catch and asked him how long it took him to catch that many fish.
“Not long, a couple of hours.”
“So why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the tourist.
“Because this is enough for me and my family,” he was told.
The businessman persisted. “So what do you do with the rest of your time?”
“I sleep late, fish for a while, play with my children, take a nap and spend time with my wife,” said the fisherman. “In the evening, I go into the village to visit my friends. I have a few drinks, play the guitar and sing a few songs. I have a full life.”
The American couldn’t believe his ears. “I am a successful businessman and I can help you,” he said. “You should spend more time on the water fishing. You can sell the extra fish, make more money, and buy a bigger boat.”
Fisherman: “And after that?”
“Use the extra money made from the bigger boat,” said the businessman. “to buy a few boats and hire more people to operate a fleet of fishing vessels.”
“All of this fish will give you market leverage. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can start to negotiate directly with the buyers. After a while, you would be able to open your own plant. Then you could leave this little village for the big city and maybe even New York! From there you could operate the whole business.”
“How long would that take?” asked the fisherman. “Somewhere between 20-25 years,” came the reply. “What next?”
“Well, that’s when the fun starts,” explained the tourist. “When the business gets really big, you can sell stock in the company and make millions!”
“Wow, millions. This is getting interesting. What happens after I earn millions?” asked the fisherman.
“After that you’ll be able to retire on the coast, sleep in every day, do some fishing, play with your grandkids, take naps and spend time with your wife. In the evenings, you will be able to go out drinking and singing with your friends.”
The fisherman just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.
“Not long, a couple of hours.”
“So why didn’t you stay out longer and catch more?” asked the tourist.
“Because this is enough for me and my family,” he was told.
The businessman persisted. “So what do you do with the rest of your time?”
“I sleep late, fish for a while, play with my children, take a nap and spend time with my wife,” said the fisherman. “In the evening, I go into the village to visit my friends. I have a few drinks, play the guitar and sing a few songs. I have a full life.”
The American couldn’t believe his ears. “I am a successful businessman and I can help you,” he said. “You should spend more time on the water fishing. You can sell the extra fish, make more money, and buy a bigger boat.”
Fisherman: “And after that?”
“Use the extra money made from the bigger boat,” said the businessman. “to buy a few boats and hire more people to operate a fleet of fishing vessels.”
“All of this fish will give you market leverage. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can start to negotiate directly with the buyers. After a while, you would be able to open your own plant. Then you could leave this little village for the big city and maybe even New York! From there you could operate the whole business.”
“How long would that take?” asked the fisherman. “Somewhere between 20-25 years,” came the reply. “What next?”
“Well, that’s when the fun starts,” explained the tourist. “When the business gets really big, you can sell stock in the company and make millions!”
“Wow, millions. This is getting interesting. What happens after I earn millions?” asked the fisherman.
“After that you’ll be able to retire on the coast, sleep in every day, do some fishing, play with your grandkids, take naps and spend time with your wife. In the evenings, you will be able to go out drinking and singing with your friends.”
The fisherman just shrugged his shoulders and walked away.
