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Subcontracting – Just for fun
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Author: Vinit Kumar Singh
Three contractors . . . one from India, another from Germany and the third from England are bidding to repair the White House fence. They go with a White House official to examine the fence.
The English contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. “Well,” he says. “I figure the job will run $900 . . . $400 for materials, $400 for labour and $100 profit for me.”
The German contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, “I can do this job for $700 . . . $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me.”
The Indian contractor doesn’t measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers: “$2,700.” The official, incredulous, says, “You didn’t even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?”
“Easy,” the Indian explains, “$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire the guy from Germany to do the work.”
Note- Substitute countries of your choice as you wish! Its Just for fun.
The English contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil. “Well,” he says. “I figure the job will run $900 . . . $400 for materials, $400 for labour and $100 profit for me.”
The German contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, “I can do this job for $700 . . . $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me.”
The Indian contractor doesn’t measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers: “$2,700.” The official, incredulous, says, “You didn’t even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with such a high figure?”
“Easy,” the Indian explains, “$1,000 for you, $1,000 for me and we hire the guy from Germany to do the work.”
Note- Substitute countries of your choice as you wish! Its Just for fun.
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Vinit Kumar Singh
I write about how strategy, leadership, AI, and disciplined execution work together to build capable, adaptive organizations. Drawing on more than two decades across technology, consulting, and business leadership, I explore how leaders translate emerging possibilities into practical, sustainable outcomes. Learn more on the About page or connect with me on LinkedIn.