As a business owner for 30 plus years, I see how the “State of the Union” has had a profound influence on my and others’ businesses.
Most of my energy therefore, concentrated on the business of business. Therefore, it matters to me how business works and how to make business work better. In addition, how we can help others sustain the highest standards of quality, efficiency and productivity in their business efforts.
Words of Wisdom for Businesses
Recently, I became aware of a man named William J. H. Boetcker. He was an influential leader and public speaker in America during the early to mid-20th Century. His words, I believe, ring even truer today than they might have during his lifetime. Born in 1873 in Hamburg, Germany, and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, Boetcker was an outspoken supporter of free-market enterprise and entrepreneurship. He’s known for his authorship of a pamphlet he published in 1916, titled “The Ten Cannots.”
Given the current state of our nation, along with our over-taxed and increasingly floundering businesses, it seems important that we revisit Boetcker’s “Ten Cannots,” to determine America’s collective temperature. Therefore, we can take steps to survive today’s economic pressures. In addition, we can gauge whether our business will become a statistical fatality, as many others have in the past few years?
President Ronald Reagan was one of many who have quoted Boetcker over the years. Whereby, he hoped to inspire a return to reason and order, for our nation and its business and financial structure. Furthermore, that we might prosper as a free people utilizing free enterprise.
I believe these “Ten Cannots,” that Boetcker wrote hold great wisdom for today’s businesses!
The following is for those determined to find solutions to their business problems and frustrations. Also, for those who understand the correlation between the state of our nation and its current policies. Whereby, you will see and understand the direct impact government, and also, YOU have on your business—READ ON…
“The Ten Cannots” for Your Consideration:
1. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift!
2. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong!
3. You cannot help little men by tearing down bigger men!
4. You cannot lift the wage earner by pulling down the wage payer!
5. You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich!
6. You cannot establish sound security on borrowed money!
7. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred!
8. You cannot keep out of trouble by spending more than you earn!
9. You cannot build character and courage by destroying men’s initiative and independence!
10. You cannot help men prosper by doing for them what they can and should do for themselves!
William Boetcker died in 1962, after also warning America about what he called “The Seven National Crimes”:
1. I don’t think.
2. I don’t know.
3. I don’t care.
4. I am too busy.
5. I leave well-enough alone.
6. I have no time to read and find out.
7. I am not interested.
It’s up to you and me, those of us who own or manage businesses in these challenging times, to make every effort to educate ourselves and others about our nation’s leadership; and to stand strong for the free-enterprise system, and the freedoms which we founded this country!
Right-thinking leadership understands the imperative of businesses to thrive in America! They are wise to give business owners every encouragement and incentive to risk and to prosper. How else will they be able to afford to hire good workers, retool as needed, and meet the demands of ever-changing technologies?
What Does This Have to do With Systems?
When our businesses are not running lean by systemized management—and remain in a state of chaos it will keep us “too busy” or “too tired” to get involved in local and national issues. Therefore, we have NO SAY on policies that have a direct effect on our business. As a result, our freedoms and the value of our hard-work, will continue to decline, as government grows and taxes continue to rise.
When our businesses are running lean and free of chaos, we have time get involved with local and national issues. In addition, with extra time, we can educate ourselves in government practices and support elected leaders who will stand with us and for us.
As go our businesses, so goes our nation! It’s up to you and me. American business failure is not a option.
Did I mention? Great systems work!
[SIDE NOTE: President Abraham Lincoln said to have quoted Rev. Boetcker’s “Ten Cannots”… however, since written in 1916, and President Lincoln assassinated eight years before Boetcker was born, that of course would not be possible. The confusion came in 1942, when a group called the Committee for Constitutional Government gave out a great many leaflets entitled “Lincoln on Limitations” that contained on one side a real Lincoln quote and on the other side the ten Boetcker statements. Since then, many have attributed the “Ten Cannots” to Abraham Lincoln]