The Wiley Book of Business Quotations [Hardcover]

Henry Ehrlich (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 16, 1998

"Instructive, well-organized . . . . The Wiley Book of Business Quotations is a worthy addition to your business bookshelf"-USA Today
"This [is] a great book for speechwriters as well as writers . . . appealing to anyone interested in business-or, for that matter, life-as it is practiced today."-Houston Chronicle
This groundbreaking book contains the most provocative, illuminating, and humorous comments about business today.
ON COMPETITION . . .
"I don't like my competitors. I don't eat with them, don't do anything with them except try to waste them."-Hugh McColl Jr., CEO of NationsBank
ON MANAGEMENT . . .
"One's objective should be to get it right, get it out, and get it over. You see, your problem won't improve with age."-Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway
ON LANGUAGE . . .
"George Orwell once blamed the demise of the English language on politics. It's quite possible he never read a prospectus."-Arthur Levitt Jr., Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
With more than 5,000 quotations drawn largely from the press and from speeches, this comprehensive reference brings you the unique perspectives of today's business leaders. Inside, you'll find the words of such titans as Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Percy Barnevik, George Soros, Jurgen Schrempp, Michael Eisner, and Jack Welch, as well as hundreds of others who have helped shape the business world over the past two decades. Thoroughly indexed by names and companies, this book is an indispensable resource for business people, writers, politicians, public speakers, and anyone who wants to make sense of today's business world.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Where do lively quotes come from? They're sparked by discord, financial concerns, and power struggles, so the competitive world of corporate conflict makes an especially fertile field for pithy perspicacity and business bons mots. Henry Ehrlich has surveyed that field, and compiled more than 5,000 insights and opinions from today's industry moguls. These epigrams are organized in categories, such as Advertising, Asia, Corporate Culture, Hostile Takeovers, Information Superhighway, and Success, and indexed by both name and organization.

You'll find Bernard Fauber, CEO of Kmart, saying, "The sure path to oblivion is to stay where you are," and James Sidell, president of UST Corp., opining that "The [banking] industry has one foot in the grave and the other on a banana peel." McDonald's Ray Kroc delivers, "What do you do when your competitor's drowning? Get a live hose and stick it in his mouth." Bill Gates is on record as saying, in 1981, that "640K [of computer memory] ought to be enough for anybody," and James W. Johnston, former chairman of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, is in print from 1997 for his pronouncement, "Cigarettes and nicotine clearly do not meet the classic definition of addiction." For those whose consciences are troubled by business ethics, here's Ivan Boesky, arbitrageur extraordinaire, speaking at the UC Berkeley Business School graduation: "Greed is all right, by the way. I want you to know that. I think greed is healthy. You can be greedy and still feel good about yourself."

The Wiley Book of Business Quotations is a great resource for speechwriters and economists, business professionals and sociologists. Whether you're seeking the clever quip to launch your pitch or some supportive quotes to drive home your premise, Erhlich's quotation collection is remarkably easy to use. It's also good for water cooler browsing and retirement gifts, or as a little something for your nieces and nephews when they earn their MBAs. --Stephanie Gold --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

This unique volume shows that the dialogue of business can be brilliant when you know where to find it. With more than 5,000 quotations drawn largely from the press and from the speeches of business leaders, this comprehensive reference brings you today's voice of business, including the words of such titans as Warren Buffett, Bill Gates, Percy Barnevik, George Soros, J?rgen Schrempp, Michael Eisner, and Jack Welch, as well as hundreds of others who have helped remake the business world —and the larger world —over the past two decades.

In addition to concentrating on contemporary sources and subjects, The Wiley Book of Business Quotations provides historical and topical context and relevant information about speakers and the organizations they represent. This makes it an essential tool for everyone who cares about business

A longtime speechwriter for some of the world's most influential corporations, editor Henry Ehrlich has an insider's understanding of how quotations provide instant perspective for business thinking. He organizes the quotes into hundreds of crucial topics such as Asian financial markets, corporate culture, entrepreneurship, and workplace diversity, that have become highly visible aspects of the business scene in an era of breathtaking change. The selections are by turns inspiring, provocative, incisive, and informative —and always entertaining.

You'll find:

• More than 5,000 quotations on current business topics, from global markets to the Internet, from reengineering to sexual harassment
• Comments by top names in manufacturing, marketing, finance, entertainment, information, consulting, and dozens of other industries, as well as economists and academics
• Quotes from leaders in other fields who have something to say about money, work, and business, from Martha Stewart and Oprah Winfrey to Steven Spielberg and Michael Kinsley
• Global coverage —highlighting personalities and issues from Latin America, Europe, and Asia
• A quick-reference format —grouped according to 44 main themes and hundreds of subcategories
• Indexes sorted by name and by company

The Wiley Book of Business Quotations is a unique and indispensable resource for businesspeople, writers, politicians, contemporary history buffs, and anyone who wants to make sense of today's business world.

"This book has frequently revealing, often remarkable insights into what's important to businesspeople just about everywhere." —Denis J. Nayden, President and Chief Operating Officer, GE Capital.

"Ehrlich's anthology challenges business speakers —and their writers —to raise the level of their rhetoric with his lively, provocative selections." —Jerry Tarver, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus of Speech Communication, University of Richmond, and head of Tarver Communication Services

Corporate Success and Failure...

"When the rate of change outside exceeds the rate of change inside, the end is in sight." —Jack Welch, CEO of General Electric

Competition

"I don't like my competitors. I don't eat with them, don't do anything with them except try to waste them." —Hugh McColl Jr., CEO of NationsBank.

Management...

"One's objective should be to get it right, get it quick, get it out, and get it over. You see, your problem won't improve with age." —Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway

Economists...

"Economists are like dairy farmers. We think we deserve every penny we get. —Professor Gregory Mankiw, Harvard University.

Language...

"George Orwell once blamed the demise of the English language on politics. It's quite possible he never read a prospectus." —Arthur Levitt Jr., Chairman of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Global Marketing...

"Even underwear has national characteristics." —John Bryan, CEO of Sara Lee Corporation

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 430 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471182079
• ISBN-13: 978-0471182078
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.6 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,190,114 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A unique and indispensable resource for business, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wiley Book of Business Quotations (Hardcover)

This is a unique and indispensable resource for businessmen, writers, politicians, contemporary history buffs, and anyone who wants to make sense of today's business world. It shows that the dialogue of business can be brilliant when you know where to find it. The right quotation can provide instant perspective for business thinking.

With more than 5,000 quotations drawn largely from the Press and from the speeches of business leaders, this comprehensive reference brings you today's voice of business. The quotes are organised into hundreds of crucial topics such as Asian financial markets, corporate culture, entrepreneurship, and workplace diversity, that have become highly visible aspects of the business scene in an era of breathtaking change. The selections are by turns inspiring, provocative, incisive, and informative-and always entertaining. In addition to concentrating on contemporary sources and subjects, this heavy tome provides historical and topical context and relevant information about speakers and the organisations they represent.

Henry Ehrlich is a professional speechwriter whose clients include some of the world's foremost financial, manufacturing, and entertainment companies.

Reviewed by Azlan Adnan. Formerly Business Development Manager with KPMG, Azlan is currently Managing Partner of Azlan & Koh Knowledge and Professional Management Group, an education and management consulting practice based in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysian Borneo. He holds a Master's degree in International Business and Management.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent business quotations carefully documented., October 28, 1998

By 

[e-mail] Charles Francis (Chappaqua, New York 10514) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wiley Book of Business Quotations (Hardcover)

The Wiley Book of Business Quotations by Henry Ehrlich is a wide-ranging collection of quotations by contemporary business men and women on a great variety of subjects, including international business. The book reflects a great deal of scholarship that is not found in most of today's quotation books, including meticulous documentation. I own 1,500 quotation books and this has been a valuable addition to my collection.

Charles Francis "IdeaBank" Chappaqua, New York

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Business comes alive, March 12, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wiley Book of Business Quotations (Hardcover)

This is the only book of business quotations I've ever encountered that lays out what really happens in business life. It's like listening to the proverbial guy at the water cooler, he lowers his voice--you lean closer, knowing you're getting the necessary tidbits to survive the job. You know you're hearing the truth. What's surprising in this book, is that the water cooler guy is often the CEO speaking. Who knew these big guns talked so bluntly? Gone it seems are veils of public relations and smooth, life-as-it-should-be speak. It's a terrific read of business in the late 20th century.