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That question was posed by Brian Papke, president of Mazak Corporation (Florence, KY), during a presentation given earlier this year, to reference his shock at how quickly the economic downturn struck machine tool sales in the wake of the global credit crunch. "Last December we saw the largest shipment of orders in our history," he smiled. "The next month our orders fell off the edge."

Who Moved My Cheese? is a motivational tale by Spencer Johnson that describes the continual change that happens in our work and our life, and some typical reactions we have to this change. The characters in this fable are grouped into two mice (Sniff and Scurry) and two little people (Hem and Haw) who live in a maze (our environment) searching for cheese (happiness and success).

Both groups discover a cheese-filled corridor inside a cheese station. The humans, content with their discovery, develop routines around their daily cheese consumption . . . and slowly become arrogant in the process. One day the mice find there is no cheese left in the cheese station. However, they had noticed earlier how the cheese supply was dwindling and had already begun to mentally prepare for the arduous, inevitable task of finding more. They leave the station behind and hunt for new cheese together.

The unprepared little people, counting on the cheese supply to be constant, later recognize and verify the same thing: no cheese. Angered and annoyed, Hem demands, “Who moved my cheese?” The humans complain about the unfairness of the situation . . . and both head home hungry. They return later on to find the same empty cheese station. Realizing how hopeless their situation is, Haw proposes a search for new cheese. But Hem is dead set in his victimized mindset and nixes the proposal.

The mice soon discover a new supply of cheese in a different cheese station. But back at the empty station, Hem and Haw are affected by their lack of cheese – and blame each other for their predicament. Hoping to change, Haw proposes another search for new cheese. But the comfort of his old routine has left Hem afraid of the unknown, so he shuts down the idea again.

In denial, the humans remain without cheese. Then Haw uncovers the source of his fear and stops taking himself so seriously. He simply laughs at the situation and prepares to move on. But before he enters the maze, he chisels “If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct” on the wall of the empty cheese station for his friend to ponder. Still fearful of the journey ahead, he also carves “What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?” into the wall and, after reflecting on that, he heads out.

Plagued with worry that he waited too long to start his search, Haw finds some scattered cheese that sustains him. Continuing his search, Haw slowly realizes that cheese does not suddenly disappear, but dwindles down from continual eating. He also finds that older cheese is not as tasty and is moldy.

After finding another empty cheese station, Haw starts to become depressed worrying about the unknown again. But this time, his new mindset wipes away his fears. He again enjoys life and smiles “When you move beyond your fear, you feel free.” After finding still another cheese station that is empty, Haw returns back to Hem with the few bits of new cheese he managed to find, but Hem surprisingly turns away the new cheese. A disappointed Haw heads back into the maze, deeper this time, using the new knowledge he acquired from his previous journey. Motivated by finding bits of new cheese here and there, Haw leaves a trail of writings on the wall (the handwriting on the wall) to clarify his thoughts and give him hope that his friend will use them during his search for new cheese.

One day Haw finally reaches his goal: another station filled with so much cheese it even has some unknown varieties. After eating, Haw reflects on his experience and yearns for his old friend. This time he lets Hem find his own way, and on the largest wall of this new station he writes:

Change Happens.

   They Keep Moving The Cheese.

Anticipate Change.

   Get Ready For The Cheese To Move.

Monitor Change.

   Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old.

Adapt To Change Quickly.

   The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese.

Change.

   Move With The Cheese.

Enjoy Change!

   Savor The Adventure And Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese!

Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again & Again.

   They Keep Moving The Cheese.

Cautious from past experience, Haw inspects the new cheese station daily. He also explores different parts of the maze regularly so he won’t get complacent. One day he hears someone approaching the station through the maze. He hopes his friend Hem has found the way.