If a company is profitable, the founder is in control. If it's not, investors are in control.
Sam AltmanRead
As long as you keep doing the right thing and have the best product, you can beat the bigger company.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Holding onto integrity and quality can lead to success against larger competitors.
This quote by Sam Altman emphasizes that maintaining ethical standards and focusing on delivering a high-quality product can enable smaller companies to compete effectively against larger corporations. It suggests that doing the right thing is equally as important as the product itself, implying that consumer trust and loyalty can be built through integrity.
Themes
IntegrityQualityCompetitionBusinessSuccess
In practice
Example use cases
During a business seminar, you can quote this to inspire entrepreneurs about the importance of ethics and quality.
More from Sam Altman
All quotes βIt's so important for startups to get their culture right at the start. They need to feel unique and that they are on their own important mission in the world.
Sam AltmanRead
If you have the opportunity to go be an early employee at a company that's just going crazy, and you believe it's the next Facebook or Google, you should go join that company.
Sam AltmanRead
Seed investing is the status symbol of Silicon Valley. Most people don't want Ferraris, they want a winning seed investment.
Sam AltmanRead
People always make the mistake of calling an idea small or stupid because they don't understand how it's going to evolve.
Sam AltmanRead
Technology magnifies differences, and it's been replacing or obviating jobs for a long time. But what happens as that case accelerates? I'm not one of these doomsayers who says, 'There will be no jobs.'
Sam AltmanRead
Similar quotes
To those who are engaged in commercial dealings, justice is indispensable for the conduct of business.
Marcus Tullius CiceroRead
Be influenced by nothing but your clients' interests. Tell them the truth.
Arthur C. NielsenRead
A lot of entrepreneurs hate big companies. But if you hate them so much, why are you trying to build a new one? The truth is, as soon as a startup has any kind of success whatsoever, it will face big company problems.
Eric RiesRead
The key to branding, especially for smaller firms, is to focus on a limited number of issue areas and develop superb expertise in those areas.
Philip KotlerRead
Values-based business behavior is no longer simply an interesting option - it's crucial to your survival. Once you understand your mission and values, you have a strong basis for evaluating your practices and aligning them accordingly.
Ken BlanchardRead
If you can shape your business life or your working life, you can just look at it as another extension - you just fulfill all your values as a human being in the work place. If you are an activist, you bring the activism of your life into your business, or if you love creative art, you can bring that in.
Anita RoddickRead