All this stuff about a PLS/AJM merger and what management should...

All this stuff about a PLS/AJM merger and what management should be doing reminds me of a story over 30 years ago (back when housing was far more affordable).

There were once two medical students studying at different unis.  Both had saved a fair bit of money, and decided to invest in a new estate.  They bought adjacent properties.  Over time they became quite friendly – to the point that they decided to become friends with benefits – studied together, let the other’s friends park in the driveway, did the grocery shopping together, etc., etc.  They were prepared to continue this arrangement until one of them found Mr/Mrs Right.

Their parents were very conservative, and frowned on all this freedom.  Eventually, the parents of the boy prevailed on him to abandon this rather convenient arrangement and attempt to settle down.  The girl wanted nothing to do with giving up her freedom for security and kids, and broke off the arrangement so she could flirt with other neighbours.  Eventually, she sold the property at a tidy profit to a developer, and moved far away so she didn’t have to bump into her neighbour all the time.  She eventually found work in a nearby suburban surgery – still single, but quite happy.

The boy was quite cut up about all of this, and eventually decided to chase the daughter of a filthy rich surgeon.  He was successful in capturing her heart and marrying her.  One bonus was being able to work in daddy’s practice.  However, he always kept an eye on his former neighbour on social media.

The arrangement had been working very well.  In time, the two could have set themselves up as a business together, and later considered marriage. Until the parents interfered.

The moral of the story?  If the PLS/AJM relationship is going well and both parties are in a co-operative win-win situation, why put management under pressure by the shareholders wanting to make it legal?  Either party may find a more suitable suitor for itself – without necessarily hurting the other.