A competitor approaches you with a lucrative bid for your consulting services company. The advantage of the sale is clear: your shareholders get rich, and you are guaranteed a secure, cushy position as a senior vice president. You could afford that pristine, dream yacht! Your customers would benefit from the larger, integrated enterprise whose accounts are globally managed by subject-matter experts. And the only disadvantage of the deal is that your employees would have to be let go.

What’s your decision? Where are your priorities (in order from greatest to least)?

1. Shareholders. Customers. Employees.
   "It’s a great deal! Two out of three ain’t bad."
2. Customers. Shareholders. Employees.
   "I think my customers would benefit more if I were a group executive."
3. Shareholders. Employees. Customers.
   "My shareholders appreciate that we care for our employees, but I have bills to pay and kids to feed. I think our shareholders know best."
4. Employees. Shareholders. Customers.
   "My employees are not fans of unemployment, but our shareholders think we should lay off the lot to provide the most value to our customers. I agree."
5. Customers. Employees. Shareholders.
   "I’ll consider the offer. My customers love the idea, but our employees have been with us for years. I need to know they’ll be safe when they hit the streets."
6. Employees. Customers. Shareholders.
   "Never! My employees are best-of-breed. I handpicked them myself. Over the years, they have formed close relationships with our customers. Our customers would not trust anyone else with their accounts. And our shareholders? They’re fat cats living large on our success. I doubt they would see value in change."