James Cash Penney Quotes

The men who have furnished me with my greatest inspiration have not been men of wealth, but men of deeds.

I never trust an executive who tends to pass the buck. Nor would I want to deal with him as a customer or a supplier.

Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.

The problem with the bronco is to get on and stay on. This is the problem with the Golden Rule-to understand and apply

In setting up a business under the name and meaning of the Golden Rule, I was publicly binding myself, in my business relations, to a principle which had been a real and intimate part of my family upbringing. Our idea was to make money and build business through serving the community with fair dealing and honest value.

The public is not greatly interested in saving a little money on a purchase at the expense of service.

Success will always be measured by the extent to which we serve the buying public.

Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership.

A merchant who approaches business with the idea of serving the public well has nothing to fear from the competition.

Determine to do some thinking for yourself. Don't live entirely upon the thoughts of others. Don't be an automaton.

Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time.

They serve best who give most of themselves. Self is forgotten by the one who serves, for such a one rejoices to see success coming to others through his or her efforts.

In every man s life there lies latent energy. There is, however, a spark that, if kindled, will set the whole being afire, and he will become a human dynamo, capable of accomplishing almost anything to which he aspires.

Our very living is selling. We are all salespeople.

Intelligence is the effort to do the best you can at your particular job; the quality that gives dignity to that job, whether it happens to be scrubbing a floor or running a corporation.

Selling is our No. 1 job. Never get away from selling a lot of merchandise personally. The more you sell the more you learn

No company can afford not to move forward. It may be at the top of the heap today but at the bottom of the heap tomorrow, if it doesn't

We can serve our customers well only if our buying jobs are right. You cannot sell if you haven't ordered wanted goods into your store.

I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life's problems.

I was long brought up to think that it was nothing short of a crime to miss a sale.

My definition of an executive's job is brief and to the point. It is simply this: Getting things done through other people.

The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessary to management success.

Salesmanship, too, is an art; the perfection of its technique requires study and practice.

The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This is organization.

I believe a man is better anchored who has a belief in the Supreme Being.

Theory is splendid but until put into practice, it is valueless.

It is the service we are not obliged to give that people value most.

Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it.

There has never been a time when a career in the Penney Company was not a challenge that brought out the best in a man.

I believe in trusting men, not only once but twice - in giving a failure another chance.

No serious-minded man should have time for the mediocre in any phase of his living.

I cannot remember a time when the Golden Rule was not my motto and precept, the torch that guided my footsteps.

Success in business does not depend upon genius. Any young man of ordinary intelligence who is normally sound and not afraid to work should succeed in spite of obstacles and handicaps if he plays the game fairly and keeps everlastingly at it.

There's no better friend to any merchant than a fair competitor.

I learned that all things come to those who wait-provided they hustle while they wait.

The Golden Rule finds no limit of application in business.

It was always my practice to train salespeople under my direct supervision, and to treat children with the utmost consideration.

Too many would-be executives are slaves of routine.

Every great business is built on friendship.

As a rule, we find what we look for; we achieve what we get ready for.

Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement.

In retailing, the formula happens to be a basic liking for human beings, plus integrity, plus industry, plus the ability to see the other fellow's point of view.

No man can climb the ladder of success without first placing his foot on the bottom rung.

The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison.

Responsibility is always a sign of trust.

Luck is always the last refuge of laziness and incompetence.

No matter what his position or experience in life, there is in everyone more latent than developed ability; far more unused than used power.

A store's best advertisement is the service its goods render, for upon such service rest the future, the good-will, of an organization.