The 101 Greatest Business Principles of All Time

by Adrienne Avila, Leslie Pockell (Editor)

Overview

An MBA in a book! A distillation of the wisdom of the greatest entrepreneurs, business leaders, economists, and inspirational figures of all time—in one handy and elegant volume.

No one’s business education would be complete without the wisdom included in THE 101 GREATEST BUSINESS PRINCIPLES OF ALL TIME. From Adam Smith to Donald Trump, from Thomas Edison to Peter Drucker and Jack Welch, here are inspiring words and advice from the most creative thinkers of our time. Readers will encounter such fundamental concepts as “Buy cheap, sell dear,” perceptive observations like “Failing organizations are usually over managed and under-led” (Warren Bennis), and such expressions of basic ideals as Robert F. Kennedy’s impassioned declaration (paraphrasing George Bernard Shaw), “Some see the world as it is, and ask ‘why?’ I see the world as it might be, and ask ‘why not?’” This book will motivate and inspire its readers to work with more creativity, lead with passion and compassion, and maximize the profitability of both their careers and their inner lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780446531023
Publisher:	Grand Central Publishing
Publication date:	04/08/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	115
File size:	471 KB

About the Author

Leslie Pockell is the editor of The 100 Best Poems of All Time.

Read an Excerpt

The 101 Greatest Business Principles of All Time

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By Leslie Pockell Adrienne Avila

Warner Books

Copyright © 2004 Warner Books, Inc.
All right reserved.
ISBN: 0-446-57665-4

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Chapter One

The Fundamentals

Buy cheap, sell dear. John Greenleaf Whittier

Only a fool holds out for top dollar. Joseph P. Kennedy

Cut your losses, and let your profits run. Anonymous

The engine which drives Enterprise is not Thrift, but Profit. John Maynard Keynes

There are three secrets to real estate: Location, location, location. William Dillard

If you can run one business well, you can run any business well. Richard Branson

For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath. Matthew 25:29

Every individual ... intends only his own gain, and he is in this, as in many other cases, led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention. Nor is it always the worse for the society that it was no part of it. By pursuing his own interest he frequently promotes that of the society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it. Adam Smith, The Wealth of Nations

PARETO'S PRINCIPLE Twenty percent of your products will generate eighty percent of your income. Twenty percent of your income will require eighty percent of your resources. Vilfredo Pareto

There was an old owllived in an oak, The more he heard, the less he spoke; The less he spoke, the more he heard. O, if men were like that wise old bird. Punch

A dinner lubricates business. William Scott, Baron Stowell

PARKINSON'S LAW Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. C. Northcote Parkinson

THE PETER PRINCIPLE In a hierarchical organization every employee tends to rise to his level of incompetence. Lawrence Peter

MURPHY'S LAW If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in catastrophe, then someone will do it. Edward A. Murphy, Jr.

Do it fast, do it right, do it cheap. Pick two. Anonymous

A camel is a horse put together by a committee. Anonymous

One may smile, and smile, and be a villain. William Shakespeare, Hamlet

Don't be afraid of going slowly. Only be afraid of standing still. Anonymous

Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do. Benjamin Spock

Don't be afraid to take a big step when one is indicated. You can't cross a chasm in two small steps. David Lloyd George

You can gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.... You must do the thing which you think you cannot do. Eleanor Roosevelt

Power can be taken, but not given. The process of the taking is empowerment in itself. Gloria Steinem

When people go to work, they shouldn't have to leave their hearts at home. Betty Bender

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from The 101 Greatest Business Principles of All Time by Leslie Pockell Adrienne Avila Copyright © 2004 by Warner Books, Inc.. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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