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.
INTEGRITY
YOU DIDN’T tell on your brother when you were a kid. Loyalty was more important to you than scoring points with your parents. If you got a bad grade you stood in front of your father with your report card and you took your punishment. Instead of asking for spending money, you chose to earn it. In college, you stood up for what you believed in. You didn’t lie to get the job. And you never compromised your ideals to keep it. You’re the kind of person who might take the blame to help out a friend, but you’d never take credit for an accomplishment that wasn’t yours. Integrity isn’t something you get overnight. It takes a lifetime to earn.
WHEN THE CABLE industry was in its infancy, there were hardly any women involved in this business. Today, there are women succeeding in every level and aspect of the cable industry. Women are involved in the development of cable programming, in the evolution of our technology, and in the executive management of our finest operating companies. That leadership will certainly continue given the fact that more and more of today’s business students are women. When I think about this, I’m really not surprised. The women I have worked with over the past 35 years have confirmed that in cable, as in all business, it is simply survival of the fittest. Those who have the skills, the dedication and a solid foundation of ethics are the ones who succeed. Women in cable have earned their victories. I respectfully salute them all.
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.
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 community. Give back to the world that gives so much to you. And if it happens to make you feel good to give, that’s all right. Feeling good is the one ulterior motive that’s acceptable.
ALL TOO OFTEN, some people are afraid to admit they don’t have all the answers. So instead, they just make them up. They elaborate on what they don’t understand to the point of embarrassment. Instead, all they had to do was say, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Remember, nobody can fault you for admitting you don’t know everything. In fact, they might even admire you.
ONE QUALITY I admire most in a person is class. I’m not referring to the title on their business card or their financial rating. It has nothing to do with the style of their clothes or the car they drive. To me, class is something you choose for yourself. It’s competing honestly, confronting problems head-on, taking accolades with grace and humility, and not knocking your competitors. If you have class, you are loyal to both yourself and to those around you. Class is born out of self-respect and a healthy respect for others. Everything in this world is not always attainable. Fortunately, class is. Wouldn’t it be a better world, if one day, we all decided to have it.
IF YOU DIDN’T mow the lawn, you didn’t get your allowance. You told a lie and got grounded for a week. If you weren’t a team player, you sat on the bench. It’s called discipline. And it’s not only an important part of growing up, it’s an important part of your entire life. Discipline teaches us to respect authority as well as command it. It’s love in its purest form. And it gives us the mettle to make tough decisions in just about every situation. Discipline is why military personnel and athletes go on to become so successful in business. Nobody likes to be disciplined. But it’s something you learn to appreciate when you realize the positive effect it has on your life.