Concentrate on each task, whether trivial or crucial, as if it's the only thing that matters.

If new ideas are the lifeblood of any thriving organisation-and, trust me, they are-managers must learn to revere, not merely tolerate, the people who come up with those ideas.

You don't have to reinvent the wheel, just attach it to a new wagon.

Short-term can be terminal.

Commit yourself to quality from day one ... it's better to do nothing at all than to do something badly.

Round numbers beg to be negotiated, usually by counteroffer round numbers. Odd numbers sound harder, firmer, less negotiable.

I am convinced that most companies don't maximize their barter possibilities. Instead of aggressively reducing costs by trading their services with those of their suppliers, they seem content to pay top dollar for everything.