Toyoto Becomes Number One Car Company

"Thanks so much for making Toyota number one," the chairman of Toyota, Fuji Chow, said to Richard Wagoner, CEO of GM, and leaned over the negotiating table to shake his hand.

"Think nothing of it," Mr. Wagoner replied, obliging that Japanese exec. "The credit belongs entirely to you and your quality obsessed company."

"No, no," the Japanese CEO insisted. "We could never have done it without your reliable incompetence."

"On the contrary, sir," GM CEO said eyeing the other American and Japanese leaders around the negotiating table, "credit is solely due to your amazing skills. If, after all, you and your company figured out how to make cars people actually want to buy - form and function beautifully combined. "

"I think that's true," managing director of Toyota conceded.

"And you've figured out how to make cars that are legendarily reliable," Wagoner went on.

"Yes, I must agree with that."

"So how is it possible that you have thanked me for helping to make you number one?" Mr. Wagoner would know. "I do not deserve any credit at all!"

"But can not you see, Mr. Wagoner? We owe our success that you have not quite figured out how to make cars that people actually want to buy!"

"We're working on it," CEO of GM said.

"And have you figured out how to make legendarily reliable cars?"

"We are also working on it."

"May I ask if you have had success on either seek?"

"I said, we work to get there."

"But, Mr. Wagoner, how is it possible that after all these years to make the cars you are still working on two such important goals? Of course I am not referring to you and your highly competent leaders present, but only for your predecessors, and I am sure you will do much better. "

"Thank you. I'll tell you why we have a problem or two. Your company came, Mr. Chow and set the bar higher than it was."

"We did?

"I insist. Much higher."

"And how could we set it higher?"

"You tell me."

"Because you put it so wonderfully low."

"We did?"

"What other explanation can there be, Mr. Wagoner? And now you're struggling to catch up, as if I must be honest, is another way of saying you've failed to do so."

"But -"

"- I beg your pardon, my esteemed friend, but if not incompetence, I do not know what is. Of course, as I said, not your incompetence, only that of your predecessors. But if I may so bold, please accept my gratitude. "