David Geffen

The epiphany for me at William Morris was realizing, ‘They bullshit on the phone! I can bullshit on the phone too!’

I have no talent except for being able to enjoy and recognize it in others.

[To Jimmy Webb] You’re really interested in a career? Wow, I just thought you were some guy who hung out in Las Vegas with Connie Stevens.

[As a child] I want to earn a thousand dollars a week, have an apartment on Ocean Parkway, and drive a Cadillac convertible.

[On being partners with Laura Nyro in Tuna Fish Music (Laura’s favorite food was Tuna Fish)] We became partners in this new publishing company.

[On Lou Adler] Lou really had a production deal called a label, whereas we had a real label. We had a great many artists, whereas he had very few. Lou also produced most of the stuff that came out on Ode. We were not producers.

Any business arrangement that is not profitable to the other person will in the end prove unprofitable for you. The bargain that yields mutual satisfaction is the only one that is apt to be repeated.

The main job of the entrepreneur is to define the mission, find and inspire the team, and lead.

It’s a new endeavour for me. I’ve never run a territory. I’ve never talked publicly to people. I’ve got to try it just to see whether I like it.

I cannot remember a time when the Golden Rule was not my motto and precept, the torch that guided my footsteps.

I was the most productive when I was in a flex situation. Do not check for me for needless meetings.

I have had the top people in the world into One Hyde Park, and they have seen everything and they say there is nothing quite like this.

Nations are great as they are prosperous as they are industrious as they are just.

If it doesn’t sell, it isn’t creative.

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

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

If you change anything about the way you approach selling, the thing that would make the biggest difference would be your attitude, your attitude toward your customer, your service, the benefits of your products, your employer, and yourself.

The great need of the world has always been for leaders. With more leaders we could have more industry. More industry, more employment and comfort for all.

I always said that mega-mergers were for megalomaniacs.

Sometimes your best investments are the ones you don’t make.

Luck is always the last refuge of laziness and incompetence.