Joe asked, “well, what did you do about your issue?” bill quickly replied, “we’re talking with our supplier to change the product they’ve been supplying. we need to offer a slightly different version or our customers won’t buy. if they won’t comply, then it means we’ll have to turn to a new supplier. either way, we’ll have to change the way we price it and the way we present it to the customer — so that means we’ll have to re-train our sales force.” “wow, that sounds like a huge undertaking — how quickly can you do this?” Joe asked, assuming the answer would be in months. “we have to do it in two weeks, max — no more.” Joe realized he and bill lived in different worlds, “what you just described to me would take our company six months to do, iF we could even stay focused long enough to do it. aren’t you stressed out over trying to get this much done so quickly?” bill smiled and said, “No, i’d be stressed even more if i couldn’t move this fast.” “bill, i need help. i look at my company and i see nice, capable people, but they have no urgency. it’s like they’re numb.” “Joe, you have a successful company. you have more employees, more sales — ” Joe interrupted, “and more debt — ” “yes, and more debt than i’ll ever have. why talk to a small-business guy like me?” “because i miss the intensity and energy i feel from watching you run your company. we need that, and if we don’t change, i’m afraid we’ll lose, big time.” “How can i help?” 10