Bill Daniels was someone who believed that his success in business
was due to his values and principles. He constantly sought to
share these with those he came into contact with. He would never
miss an opportunity to share his philosophy with people.
Bill always grouped his values into several key areas. These
were areas that he felt were most important to him and reflected
how he lived his life and built his business.
Select one of these value areas from the list below, and read
some of Bill's own personal statements reflecting these values.
HUMANENESS
NEW TECHNOLOGY is making our lives better in many ways.
At work, computers process information in milliseconds and we
communicate around the globe with the touch of a few buttons.
At home, we have dozens of entertainment and communications options.
And even more impressive services will soon be added to our televisions
and telephones. But while technology has the ability to put us
in touch with each other at lightning speed, it also has the potential
to separate us if we’re not careful. You just might want
to step away from all the electronic gadgets and get some fresh
air. Visit your co-workers down the hall, or your neighbors down
the street. Better yet, volunteer your time to help someone in
your community less fortunate than yourself. Technology can do
a lot of things for us. But not nearly as much as we can do for
each other.
WHEN YOU PUT YOUR LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE, you realize how
little time there is to make something truly significant out of
it. To some people this might mean acquiring a lot of possessions.
To others, building a business or owning property. And there are
those whose lives won’t be fulfilled unless they achieve
fame and fortune. There’s nothing wrong with any of these
aspirations, but for me they pale in comparison to individuals
who want to leave something more consequential to their legacy.
For example, being the kind of person who takes the time to pass
on knowledge and values to the next generation. Having family,
friends, and business associates remember you as an honest person.
And helping others who will be left behind. I believe if you live
your life in this way, you’ll leave this world with a clear
conscience, and with a smile on your face.
THE LIFESTYLE of almost everyone in our society is influenced
to some extent by the wages we earn. We use money to meet needs
for ourselves and our families. If we’re lucky, our lives
grow and prosper. It’s the same way in business. The money
companies earn is called profit. It’s used for a variety
of things. But the finest companies plow profits back into the
community. They give contributions to needy organizations and
individuals. They sponsor charitable events. They refurbish their
offices and grounds. And, something miraculous happens! The money
they “gave away” comes back ten-fold in long-term
profits, because their customers gained a greater appreciation
and loyalty for their products and services. And, who’s
going to argue with ten-to-one odds.
HOW MANY times have you passed judgment on someone based
strictly on first appearances? You don’t bother striking
up a conversation with the person sitting next to you on an airplane
because they are unattractive. Or maybe you avoid people at social
gatherings who are poorly dressed. We all need to look deeper
than the surface. People come in all different shapes, sizes and
colors. And what makes them special isn’t their physical
appearance or the clothes they wear. It’s their personal
values, ideas, and the way they choose to conduct their lives.
If you don’t make an effort to reach out and find those
qualities in people, someone who could have been a great friend
or business relationship, will be gone and out of your life before
they ever got a chance to enter it.
IMAGINE a world where people give of themselves simply
because they want to. Not out of a sense of debt. Or because they
want something in return. No ulterior motives. No guilt feelings.
Just the desire to give for the sake of giving. Now, instead of
imagining this kind of world, do your part in making it happen.
Make a charitable donation. Volunteer your time to improve your