Here's the joke:
Tom's Dad:(in Bill Gates's office) My son Tom wants to marry your daughter. Are you interested?
Bill: No, my daughter is still too young.
Tom's Dad: What if my son is a VP at Google?
Bill: Wow, that should be out of any question!
Tom's Dad:(in Larry Page's office) My son Tom is a talented young man. He wants to work for you as a VP at Google.
Larry: Too much talent here already.
Tom's Dad: What if he is Bill Gates's son-in-law?
Larry: Wow, we welcome him on board!
I was just looking for one joke to share in classroom, and this one caught my eye. Obviously, some business strategy is involved in this great piece. I'd like to expand a bit on the strategy in the classroom, but I can't come up with a technical term or some universally recognized term to introduce the strategy.
I'm no business student, nor did I see the joke in a business context or textbook. It's really hard for me to think of one. Help!
EDIT: It's NOT joke construction help. I just use this joke to describe the strategy (due to lack of a better one).
I really like the "play X off against each other" answer, which however is not EXACTLY what I want. I am looking for an English expression (if any) which conveys the idea that I have nothing myself (am a nobody) and I employ other people's reputation or strength to achieve my own goal.