How to crawl ahead in business

The chairman admits to having absolutely no idea whether his first name is Tom, Dick or Bambos

"May I ask you a personal question?" I said to the chairman of the insignificantly-sized investment company SmallBluePlanet following the press conference to mark the launch of the SmallBlue Javan Income fund at Somerville's Noodle Bar. "By all means," replied the chairman. "Providing, of course, you don't mind receiving a personal answer." "Fair enough," I said. "I was just wondering what your first name was." "Would you believe me if I told you I wasn't sure?" said the chairman. "No," I replied. "It's the truth," the chairman insisted. "There were a number of instances in my earlier year...