Bowen Bulletin

Every once in a while you come across something which stands out and demands attention. Such is the following set of rules for business people to follow. The author is unknown, but his words deserve as wide a distribution as possible

• Pick the people who can most strongly determine your success and stay in direct, personal, continuous touch with them
• Never assume that the way things are today is the way they will be tomorrow – or even after lunch.
• No matter what your job is, think of yourself as a salesman.
• Never fail to consider the future significance of what you say and do.
• In business as in other indoor sports, position isn’t everything – but almost.
• Know what it is you can do better than anyone else – and do that.
• Never say anything about anyone you wouldn’t say in exactly the same way to his face.
• Search for the seeds of victory in every disaster – and the seeds of disaster in every victory.
• Don’t lie. If you can’t tell the truth, keep quiet. When you start lying, you are dead.
• Never expect someone to keep a secret. There are no secrets.
• Bet on people – but be prepared to lose.
• Unsolvable problems don’t disrupt the routine; they are the routine.
• Make as few mistakes as possible. Assume that any random error could be fatal.
• Everybody’s motives are different. Make certain you know what motivates each person you deal with.
• Know exactly what your goals are.
• Surprise is a powerful tactic. Use it carefully. It can be disastrous.
• Revenge is sweet but it is God’s privilege, not yours.
• Enemies are a fact of life, but a few are plenty.
• Never make a decision until you have to.
• Follow your instincts. They are probably no more wrong than everyone else’s carefully reasoned logic.
• Build a reputation as a winner by smiling when you win – and when you lose.
• Keep every promise you have made – or that others think you have made.
• Never assume that others are operating under the same rules you are.
• Play the business game for all you are worth – but not as if your life depended on it.
• Never underestimate the power of the number two man.
• Express your thanks, give lots of praise, but don’t get left holding the bag.
• You can size up a person by the size of the problems they like to solve.
• Success has many ingredients, but the greatest of these is confidence.