Don't use the four stage strategy!

The Four Stage Strategy, as explained in the first episode of Yes, Prime Minister is the following:

In stage one we say “nothing is going to happen”

In stage two we say “something may be going to happen but we should do nothing about it”

In stage three we say “maybe we should do something about it, but there’s nothing we can do”

In stage four we say “maybe there’s something we could have done, but it’s too late now”

Don’t use the four stage strategy.