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Oracle founder shares secrets of success
February 13, 2009
A corporation's primary goal is to make money. The government's primary role is to take a big chunk of that money and give it to others.
I saw that we needed to grow, but our top line wasn't growing, so we had to find other ways to grow the business. We had to reshape our business and acquire share in a nonconventional way. But most tech leaders don't come out of a business background. They really have a very parochial point of view. All they know are the go-go years of Silicon Valley. That's the environment in which they were raised.
(It helps if people) like you personally. So when you succeed, that will not annoy the hell out of me. In fact, because I have so much affection for you, when you succeed, I will say, "You know, isn't that great. Look what Bob did. Isn't that fabulous." I'll get as much joy--or almost as much joy--out of your achievements as my own.
I think making a profit enforces the discipline that allows you to be idealistic.
We have become egalitarian to the point that we do not like heroes. We have lost interest in heroes. Too many people go through life wanting to make certain that no one is better than they are, and look to the media to make sure anyone who is getting too big for their britches is torn down to size.
Image: Ellison walks toward the courthouse to testify in the Oracle v PeopleSoft trial in Delaware. | Photograph: Tim Shaffer/Reuters
Also read: 4 million jobs will kickstart US economy: Obama
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