Japanese contracts were vague; they wouldn’t stand up in Canadian courts, for in Japan they didn’t have to. If an agreement wasn’t working out for both parties, company managers would just talk it over and settle any differences.

In North America, some companies rotated purchasing agents so they didn’t get buddy-buddy with suppliers, for fear of kickbacks. I found company relationships in Japan to be so close that a Japanese manufacturer might have only one supplier for any one part.

Having a positive mental attitude is asking how something can be done rather than saying it can’t be done. – BO BENNETT, businessman, author, and philanthropist.

I asked John Stauss, “To what do you attribute our success in creating such a competent workforce? Most of your people had never worked in a hotel before, and many others had never worked anywhere.” “I think I can put it in two words,” John replied. “Patience and understanding.

Whatever you do, don’t ever use a crutch, and don’t ever think of having an excuse for not having said, ‘Yeah, I did my best.’

Long-term success is never achieved on our own. The phrase ‘a self-made man’ is a myth all along the way we need support.

The reason for our success is no secret. It comes down to one single principle that transcends time and geography, religion and culture. It’s the Golden Rule – the simple idea that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.

Luxury, by definition, means something that appears to be the best of whatever it represents. It's a word that raises people's expectations, whether talking about clothing for women or locations for people to live You pay for recognition, but probably the most important thing it represents is delivery on the promise of the brand's name.

The simple idea that if you treat people well, the way you would like to be treated, they will do the same.

Living up to your commitments is part of business ethics. My word is my bond.