Book of for righteousness. The man who can imagine Business a better religion than now exists is allowed to throw his vision on the screen, and he who can formulate a better government than we now have is not hanged for his pains, but is allowed to express his dreams. Public Opinion rules. No law that is contrary to the Zeitgeist can be enforced. Judges construe, translate and interpret the laws to suit the Spirit of the Times. Every man who speaks out loud and clear is tinting the Zeitgeist. Every man who expresses what he honestly thinks is true is changing the Spirit of the Times. Thinkers help other people think, for they formulate what others are thinking. No person writes or thinks alone: thought is in the air; but its expression is necessary to create a tangible Spirit of the Times. The value of a thinker who writes, or a writer who thinks, or a businessman who acts, is that he supplies arguments for the people, and confirms all who are on his wire in their opinions, often before unuttered. The Brotherhood of Man is an idea now fully appreciated in business. Commerce today stands for Mutuality-Reciprocity. The American Department-Store has taken up lost motion, and given the people better goods at a lower price. It has been the inevitable, because it does the greatest Book of good to the greatest number. It has worked Business for economy and length of days. It means Brotherhood Every purchaser must be pleased. A child who buys a spool of thread is given the same courteous attention as the shrewdest buyer. The customer is made to feel that he is at home, that he is with strong and influential friends, that his interests are safeguarded. This matter of faith between buyer and seller is a new thing in the world. But to give the people the things they want is not enough. You must show them what they want. The great modern store is a leader in taste. It is an educator. It stands for economy, color, proportion, harmony and increased happiness. It inspires the imagination by bringing from the far corners of the earth the products of the loom, workshop, farm, mine and studio. It displays these goods so that the public may come and examine them-compare, weigh, analyze, sift, decide and make them their own if they wish ⇓⇓ Employees who plot and plan for private gain are swabbing the greased chute that leads to limbus. Owners who run a business but to make money, neither make money, nor do they last. Book of Merchants can not make money on one Business transaction. Every sale must pave the way for further sales. We make our money out of our friends, for our enemies will not deal with us A transaction where both sides are not benefited is immoral. The modern businessman has taught us these five things: First, The value of honesty as a business asset Second, The excellence of commerce as a civilizing influence. Third, That the interests of proprietor, public and employee are mutual. Fourth, That art, ethics, economics and education can and should move forward hand in hand Fifth, That business righteousness is simply a form of commonsense, a move toward self-preservation. 1 THE BUSY MAN'S CREED I believe in the stuff I am handing out, in the firm I am working for; and in my ability to get results. I believe that honest stuff can be passed out to honest men by honest methods. I believe in working, not weeping; in boosting, not knocking; and in the pleasure of my job. I believe that a man gets what he goes after, that one deed done today is worth two deeds tomorrow, and that no man is down and out until he has lost faith in himself. I believe in today and the work I am doing, in tomorrow and the work I hope to do, and in the sure reward which the future holds. I believe in courtesy, in kindness, in generosity, in good-cheer, in friendship and in honest competition. I believe there is something doing, somewhere, for every man ready to do it. I believe I'm ready-RIGHT NOW! |