J C Penney- "I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life’s problems."
Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it.
J C Penney
As a rule, we find what we look for; we achieve what we get ready for.
J C Penney
A merchant who approaches business with the idea of serving the public well has nothing to fear from the competition.
J C Penney
Unless you are willing to drench yourself in your work beyond the capacity of the average man, you are just not cut out for positions at the top.
J C Penney
Change is vital, improvement the logical form of change.
J C Penney
A store’s best advertisement is the service its goods render, for upon such service rest the future, the good-will, of an organization.
J C Penney
No serious-minded man should have time for the mediocre in any phase of his living.
J C Penney
The disciplined are free.
J C Penney
The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This is organization.
J C Penney
I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life’s problems.
J C Penney
Determine to do some thinking for yourself. Don’t live entirely upon the thoughts of others. Don’t be an automaton.
J C Penney
Men are not great or small because of their material possessions. They are great or small because of what they are.
J C Penney
Theory is splendid but until put into practice, it is valueless.
J C Penney
There’s no better friend to any merchant than a fair competitor.
J C Penney
My definition of an executive’s job is brief and to the point. It is simply this: Getting things done through other people.
J C Penney
Exchange ideas frequently.
J C Penney
It is the service we are not obliged to give that people value most.
J C Penney
No business can succeed in any great degree without being properly organized.
J C Penney
The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison.
J C Penney
Selling is our No. 1 job. Never get away from selling a lot of merchandise personally. The more you sell the more you learn.
J C Penney
We get real results only in proportion to the real values we give.
J C Penney
Success cannot come from standstill men. Methods change and men must change with them.
J C Penney
Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.
J C Penney
The thought in my mind was that I must be a good merchant. If I were a good merchant, the rest would probably take care of itself.
J C Penney
The well-satisfied customer will bring the repeat sale that counts.
J C Penney
The greatest teacher I know is the job itself.
J C Penney
The keystone of successful business is cooperation. Friction retards progress.
J C Penney
The men who have furnished me with my greatest inspiration have not been men of wealth, but men of deeds.
J C Penney
Salesmanship is limitless. Our very living is selling. We are all salespeople.
J C Penney
Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership.
J C Penney
No matter what his position or experience in life, there is in everyone more latent than developed ability; far more unused than used power.
J C Penney
The best of merchandise will go back to the shelf unless handled by a conscientious, tactful salesman.
J C Penney
Luck is always the last refuge of laziness and incompetence.
J C Penney
I believe in trusting men, not only once but twice – in giving a failure another chance.
J C Penney
Do not primarily train men to work. Train them to serve willingly and intelligently.
J C Penney
It is always the start that requires the greatest effort.
J C Penney
Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement.
J C Penney
Too many would-be executives are slaves of routine.
J C Penney
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.
J C Penney
Responsibilities are given to him on whom trust rests. Responsibility is always a sign of trust.
J C Penney
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.
J C Penney
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.
J C Penney
Salesmanship, too, is an art; the perfection of its technique requires study and practice.
J C Penney
I was long brought up to think that it was nothing short of a crime to miss a sale.
J C Penney
Success will always be measured by the extent to which we serve the buying public.
J C Penney
It was always my practice to train salespeople under my direct supervision, and to treat children with the utmost consideration.
J C Penney
Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time.
J C Penney
The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessary to management success.
J C Penney