We only have one future, and it will be made of our dreams, if we have the courage to challenge convention.
Soichiro HondaRead
Each individual should work for himself. People will not sacrifice themselves for the company. They come to work at the company to enjoy themselves.
Interpretation
Employees are motivated by personal gain and enjoyment rather than solely by organizational loyalty.
Soichiro Honda's quote emphasizes the idea that individuals are primarily driven by their own interests and happiness rather than a sense of sacrifice for the company they work for. It suggests that companies should recognize the personal motivations of their employees, as they seek enjoyment and fulfillment in their work, indicating that a positive workplace culture is essential for productivity and satisfaction.
In practice
This quote can be used in a keynote speech about employee engagement at a business conference.
We only have one future, and it will be made of our dreams, if we have the courage to challenge convention.
Instead of being afraid of the challenge and failure, be afraid of avoiding the challenge and doing nothing
There is a Japanese proverb that literally goes 'Raise the sail with your stronger hand,' meaning you must go after the opportunities that arise in life that you are best equipped to do.
Success is ninety-nine percent failure.
What we learn through failure becomes a precious part of us, strengthening us in everything we do. So let the tough things make you tougher.
Success represents the 1% of your work which results from the 99% that is called failure.
Not adding value is the same as taking it away.
You go to any MBA program, and you will be taught the theory of the firm, that the purpose of the firm is the maximization of return on invested capital. I always thought this was a kind of lunacy.
I'll tell you why I like the cigarette business. It cost a penny to make. Sell it for a dollar. It's addictive. And there's a fantastic brand loyalty.
At a big company, often size turns into constipation; it fogs the lens about what's really happening. Sometimes with size and success comes the notion that since we've done things to be successful, we have the formula and can institutionalize it. That can be death.
All business proceeds on beliefs, or judgments of probabilities, and not on certainties.
You know, if you make a customer unhappy they won't tell five friends, they'll tell 5,000 friends. So, we are at a point now where we have all of the things we need to build an important and lasting company, and if we don't, it will be shame on us.
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