Classic CEO Quotes for Today’s Economy
Every business goes through ups and downs, and in this economy the challenges are more daunting than ever. But this isn’t the first recession and it won’t be the last. Successful companies, even in tough times, keep their eye on the prize and know that down markets are actually a great time to retrench and take risks. M Squared Consulting can guide you through choppy waters, with experienced consultants that help clients evaluate opportunities and implement new ideas.
So, with a nod toward much future success, we offer some classic CEO quotes that matter now more than ever, along with a takeaway that can help your business today in today’s economy.
“You have to pretend you’re 100 percent sure. You have to take action; you can’t hesitate or hedge your bets. Anything less will condemn your efforts to failure.”
Andrew Grove, former CEO, Intel
(Takeaway: Come up with an idea, a strategy, a plan, and act! Now.)
“I didn’t see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.”
Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple
(Takeaway: Failure and loss, especially getting fired, can really invigorate you and your career.)
“When you innovate, you’ve got to be prepared for everyone telling you you’re nuts.”
Larry Ellison, CEO, Oracle
(Takeaway: Behind most great and successful products or businesses are entrepreneurs who were turned down a hundred times.)
“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.”
Bill Gates, Chairman and former CEO, Microsoft
(Takeaway: Spend time understanding and analyzing your mistakes and failures. Any customer that turned you down - if you can get them to talk - is a tremendous resource for boosting your business.)
“… be skeptical of history-based models. Constructed by a nerdy-sounding priesthood using esoteric terms … these models tend to look impressive. … Beware of geeks bearing formulas.”
Warren Buffett, CEO, Berkshire Hathaway
(Takeaway: Buffett was talking about investing, but his advice is insightful. If you’re a reasonably intelligent and experienced business person, trust your gut more than research.)
“A lot of companies have chosen to downsize, and maybe that was the right thing for them. We chose a different path. Our belief was that if we kept putting great products in front of customers, they would continue to open their wallets.”
Steve Jobs, CEO, Apple
(Takeaway: While cash conservation is critical for many businesses, big companies that think cost-cutting and a nice bottom line will get them out of this cycle in good shape are in for a surprise.)
“Watch, listen, and learn. You can’t know it all yourself. Anyone who thinks they do is destined for mediocrity.”
Donald Trump, CEO, Trump Organization
(Takeaway: Do some networking with smart people you haven’t seen in a while, read some books, take a class, do something to expand your knowledge and your horizons. You’ll be amazed at what ideas pop into your head.)
“The pending merger with XM will offer unprecedented choice for consumers and create tremendous value for stockholders.”
(Takeaway: Don’t listen to BS. If it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.)
“Success breeds complacency. Complacency breeds failure. Only the paranoid survive.”
Andrew Grove, former CEO, Intel
(Takeaway: This is yet another reason why being down is a good place to be - you only have one place to go. Up. Those on top, on the other hand, have the reverse problem.)
So, in short, whatever the business climate, there is always opportunity for innovation and success. Contact M Squared Consulting today and get on fast track to market leadership.
