This is a variation of an old joke.  However, there’s also an important lesson here for all home business owners.  I’ll have a comment after you’ve read this version.

The Accountant

There once was a business owner who was interviewing people for a division manager position. He decided to select the individual that could answer the question: "How much is 2+2?"

The engineer pulled out his slide rule and shuffled it back and forth, and finally announced, "It lies between 3.98 and 4.02."

The mathematician said, "In two hours I can demonstrate it equals 4 with the following short proof."

The physicist declared, "It’s in the magnitude of 1×101."

The logician paused for a long while and then said, "This problem is solvable."

The social worker said, "I don’t know the answer, but I’m glad that we discussed this important question."

The attorney stated, "In the case of Svenson vs. the State, 2+2 was declared to be 4."

The trader asked, "Are you buying or selling?"

The accountant looked at the business owner, then got out of his chair, went to see if anyone was listening at the door and pulled the drapes. Then he returned to the business owner, leaned across the desk and said in a low voice, "What would you like it to be?"

Cute, huh? But what’s the message I was referring to? 

I like this because it demonstrates how people will look at a situation based on their perspective.  Each of the answers is correct, and each is very different.  You might even say some are more relevant or useful than others.  But that would be from your perspective.

The point is, each of us sees things differently.  When you include advisors in your strategic planning and in the running of your home business, you often get ideas that may be even better than what you would have come up with on your own. 

Beware of being the Lone Ranger.  All successful home business owners have some kind of help.  None achieves their success alone.

Written by Philip Cohen