Who Moved My Cheese?
 By
Henry D. Landes
April 2000
I'd like to encourage your business family to read and discuss
a simple but profound little book entitled Who
Moved My Cheese? An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work
and in Your Life by Dr. Spencer Johnson. In 94 pages (about
a 40-minute read) Johnson presents a simple parable that reveals
profound truths about change. It is an amusing and enlightening
story of four characters who live in a "Maze" and look
for "Cheese" to nourish them and make them happy.
Two are mice named Sniff and Scurry. And two are "little people"–beings
the size of mice who look and act a lot like people. Their names
are Hem and Haw.
"Cheese" is a metaphor for what you want to have in life–whether
it is a good job, a loving relationship, money, a possession, health,
or spiritual peace of mind.
And "The Maze" is where you look for what you want–the
organization you work in, or the family or community you live in.
In the story, the characters are faced with unexpected change.
Eventually, one of them deals with it successfully, and writes what
he has learned from his experience on the maze walls.
Family Business Forum member Bob Byers, Sr., Chairman, Byers Choice,
Ltd., Chalfont, gave me Spencer’s book about a year and a
half ago urging me to read it. Byers’ endorsement was echoed
at our March Family Business Forum when Phil Clemens, CEO of Hatfield
Quality Meats, also recommended this book.
So how does this book apply to business families? Business families
face change from multiple directions–in our own personal lives
and families for sure; our respective business markets make certain
that good, healthy, competitive change is always a part of being
in business. As business leaders and owners, part of our job description
is to introduce and facilitate change within our companies.
This best-selling book is a great tool for YOUR FAMILY MEETINGS,
offering a common "language" to talk about the critical
changes faced by all family firms in The Succession Zone; major
changes in the FAMILY, the BUSINESS, and OWNERSHIP circles . . .
ALL at the same time!
So stop acting like Hem and Haw; do act like Sniff and Scurry
and get your copy of this little book today (and maybe a copy for
each member of your family)!
Happy reading! 
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