Business World Philosopher Pillows

'I'm on Break.'

Golly, �1m a year isn't too much. I don't know why your shareholders don't understand you.

The Businessmen Have to Make Decisions from Many Options

"'Quid pro quo' is a no-no, Bradbury. Around here we say 'reciprocal altruism'."

'It has come to my attention that we need to hedge against our five-year plan.'

'The good news is we're projecting a profit. The bad news is none of us will be alive then.'

'I clawed my way to the top and then I clawed my way back to the middle.'

Employee won't think about work outside of box

He was destined for greatness. Whatever that meant.

'I am willing to concede that the company has been underperforming of late...'

"Actually, the district office is getting better results with a fresh garlic bagel."

"You're a genius, Shaw. This is an idea whose copyright has expired."

'I've stepped on so many people for the last 20 years to get where I'm at, and I'm still only a middle manager.'

"Actually, it's more like a mouse race."

US v.s. Tech Giants

"Work hard, make the sacrifices and in 25 years you could be just like me!"

Target your customer.

'Our job will be to drag the competition down to our level.'

'How about we just sit here a while to regulate the gaps in our service?..'

'I'd like to explain my ideas for economy within the company.'

"Maybe we should have another look at the 'business as usual' idea."

Not thinking BIG enough: Nickel & Dime Bank.

"Ahh... don't you just LOVE that new, re-organized-under-bankruptcy-protection smell?"

'I hate his kind. They use their integrity and hard work to advance their careers.'

"May I offer a very different scenario?"

'Ask yourself, 'What is it I'm not doing?', and then ask yourself, 'What is it I'm doing too much?'.'

'Perkins, you really know to suck the joy out of a 3rd quarter report.'

'I tried that approach once, but my employees seized the carrots and attacked me with sticks.'

"If we can't find the way forward, let's find the way back."

'I'd put it on the back burner, but the stove's been repossessed.'

"Well, there's nowhere to go but up."

'You've become like a son to me, Alvin. But the company has strict rules against nepotism, so I have to let you go.'

"The good news is we've used up all our bad ideas."

Genius

Experience is important, so I'm inclined to leave questions of ethics to those who have them.