Japanese contracts were vague; they wouldn’t stand up in Canadian courts, for in Japan they didn’t have to. If an agreement wasn’t working out for both parties, company managers would just talk it over and settle any differences.
The reason for our success is no secret. It comes down to one single principle that transcends time and geography, religion and culture. It’s the Golden Rule – the simple idea that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.
The simple idea is that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.
We are only what we do, not what we say we are.
People derive the most satisfaction from doing the best they can.
Living up to your commitments is part of business ethics. My word is my bond.
Whatever you do, don’t ever use a crutch, and don’t ever think of having an excuse for not having said, ‘Yeah, I did my best.’
Long-term success is never achieved on our own. The phrase ‘a self-made man’ is a myth. All along the way, we need support.
Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done. – BO BENNETT, businessman, author, and philanthropist.
In North America, some companies rotated purchasing agents so they didn’t get buddy-buddy with suppliers, for fear of kickbacks. I found company relationships in Japan to be so close that a Japanese manufacturer might have only one supplier for any one part.
I asked John Stauss, “To what do you attribute our success in creating such a competent workforce? Most of your people had never worked in a hotel before, and many others had never worked anywhere.” “I think I can put it in two words,” John replied. “Patience and understanding.