We are creating a culture where content creators are a new servant class, and paid as such.
John Akers once said that changing IBM's culture was more difficult than getting elephants to dance. Of course it's really difficult, as Lou Gerstner also found out years later. The title of his own book is Who Says Elephants Can't Dance? He and his top executives were change masters at IBM. All organizations, especially the larger ones, will always need change masters. Dissatisfaction with the status quo and efforts to improve it should be encouraged rather than discouraged. Regrettably, that is often not the case.
I'd like to come back to the West eventually. In the end abroad I am always a stranger, active politics in particular is not accessible to me and although people are generous, I can never be on the inside of a culture that relies a great deal on the private space and the family.
The only way to grab the attention of the audience is originality. We feed ourselves with franchises that's the opposite of what makes our culture multidimensional and interesting.
I'm continuing to do research into biker culture.
Once you get the government involved in agriculture you'll have nothing but problems and expenses.
Immigrants can spread diseases for which we may have no immunity. There is also the question of crime and culture. Many immigrants come from countries with different legal structures and are not willing to behave in the way we expect American citizens to behave.
Promise too much and you'll have plenty of room to fail. Promise little and you'll have plenty of room to excel.
If it's not impossible, you may as well try. If it is impossible, at least you'll find out why.
Without commitment, no price will be low enough. With commitment, no price will be too high.
Passion isn't always available. The committed get things done even without it.
You are the person who determines what you do. That's a big responsibility. Make the most of it.
Tend your own garden: savor the blossoms, trim the weeds.
There are two ways to improve your service, and yourself: maximize your strengths and minimize your weaknesses.
Words not kept break more than a promise.
Double-check your voice mail message. Listen to your on-hold words and music. Write welcoming scripts for your telephone team. Pay attention to the music in your office and lobby areas. Make sure what your customers hear sounds good.
Could you achieve the possible without trying? Could you achieve the impossible if you refuse to stop trying?
How can you learn more? By admiring what you've done right? Or by studying what you've done wrong?
Selfless acts are a source of profound meaning for your self and your life.
Making an honest mistake is acceptable. Failing to fix it is not.
The only way to go further than you've been is to take an extra step.
A: Set the pace and rule the race. Seek new ways to differentiate, new ways to surprise and delight your customers.
Always be kind in your heart, spirit and mind.
No one ever delighted a customer by being 'good enough'.
Greatness is not how you feel, it's how you make others feel.