J C Penney

J C Penney- "I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life’s problems."


Every man must decide for himself whether he shall master his world or be mastered by it.

J C Penney

As a rule, we find what we look for; we achieve what we get ready for.

J C Penney

A merchant who approaches business with the idea of serving the public well has nothing to fear from the competition.

J C Penney

Unless you are willing to drench yourself in your work beyond the capacity of the average man, you are just not cut out for positions at the top.

J C Penney

Change is vital, improvement the logical form of change.

J C Penney

A store’s best advertisement is the service its goods render, for upon such service rest the future, the good-will, of an organization.

J C Penney

No serious-minded man should have time for the mediocre in any phase of his living.

J C Penney

The disciplined are free.

J C Penney

The five separate fingers are five independent units. Close them and the fist multiplies strength. This is organization.

J C Penney

I do not believe in excuses. I believe in hard work as the prime solvent of life’s problems.

J C Penney

Determine to do some thinking for yourself. Don’t live entirely upon the thoughts of others. Don’t be an automaton.

J C Penney

Men are not great or small because of their material possessions. They are great or small because of what they are.

J C Penney

Theory is splendid but until put into practice, it is valueless.

J C Penney

There’s no better friend to any merchant than a fair competitor.

J C Penney

My definition of an executive’s job is brief and to the point. It is simply this: Getting things done through other people.

J C Penney

Exchange ideas frequently.

J C Penney

It is the service we are not obliged to give that people value most.

J C Penney

No business can succeed in any great degree without being properly organized.

J C Penney

The best teamwork comes from men who are working independently toward one goal in unison.

J C Penney

Selling is our No. 1 job. Never get away from selling a lot of merchandise personally. The more you sell the more you learn.

J C Penney

We get real results only in proportion to the real values we give.

J C Penney

Success cannot come from standstill men. Methods change and men must change with them.

J C Penney

Growth is never by mere chance; it is the result of forces working together.

J C Penney

The thought in my mind was that I must be a good merchant. If I were a good merchant, the rest would probably take care of itself.

J C Penney

The well-satisfied customer will bring the repeat sale that counts.

J C Penney

The greatest teacher I know is the job itself.

J C Penney

The keystone of successful business is cooperation. Friction retards progress.

J C Penney

The men who have furnished me with my greatest inspiration have not been men of wealth, but men of deeds.

J C Penney

Salesmanship is limitless. Our very living is selling. We are all salespeople.

J C Penney

Honor bespeaks worth. Confidence begets trust. Service brings satisfaction. Cooperation proves the quality of leadership.

J C Penney

No matter what his position or experience in life, there is in everyone more latent than developed ability; far more unused than used power.

J C Penney

The best of merchandise will go back to the shelf unless handled by a conscientious, tactful salesman.

J C Penney

Luck is always the last refuge of laziness and incompetence.

J C Penney

I believe in trusting men, not only once but twice – in giving a failure another chance.

J C Penney

Do not primarily train men to work. Train them to serve willingly and intelligently.

J C Penney

It is always the start that requires the greatest effort.

J C Penney

Courteous treatment will make a customer a walking advertisement.

J C Penney

Too many would-be executives are slaves of routine.

J C Penney

I never trust an executive who tends to pass the buck. Nor would I want to deal with him as a customer or a supplier.

J C Penney

Responsibilities are given to him on whom trust rests. Responsibility is always a sign of trust.

J C Penney

No company can afford not to move forward. It may be at the top of the heap today but at the bottom of the heap tomorrow, if it doesn’t.

J C Penney

We can serve our customers well only if our buying jobs are right. You cannot sell if you haven’t ordered wanted goods into your store.

J C Penney

Salesmanship, too, is an art; the perfection of its technique requires study and practice.

J C Penney

I was long brought up to think that it was nothing short of a crime to miss a sale.

J C Penney

Success will always be measured by the extent to which we serve the buying public.

J C Penney

It was always my practice to train salespeople under my direct supervision, and to treat children with the utmost consideration.

J C Penney

Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time.

J C Penney

The art of effective listening is essential to clear communication, and clear communication is necessary to management success.

J C Penney