Andrew Carnegie
安德魯•卡內(nèi)基
It is well that young men should begin at the beginning and occupy the most subordinate positions. Many of the leading businessmen of Pittsburgh had a serious responsibility thrust upon them at the very threshold of their career.
年輕人應(yīng)該從頭學(xué)起,但當(dāng)最基層的職務(wù),這是件好事。匹茲堡有許多大企業(yè)家在創(chuàng)業(yè)之初都肩負(fù)過(guò)重任。
They were introduced to the broom, and spent the first hours of their business lives sweeping out the office. I notice we have janitors and jamtresses now in offices, and our young men unfortunately miss that salutary branch of a business education.
他們與掃帚結(jié)伴,以清掃室度過(guò)了企業(yè)生涯的最初時(shí)光。我注意到現(xiàn)在的室都配備了工友,這使我們的年輕人不幸丟掉了這個(gè)有益的企業(yè)教育的一個(gè)內(nèi)容。
But if by chance the professional sweeper is absent any morning, the boy who has the genius of the future partner in him will not hesitate to try his hand at the broom.
不過(guò),如果哪一天早晨清掃工碰巧沒(méi)來(lái),某位具有未來(lái)合伙人氣質(zhì)的青年就會(huì)毫不猶豫試著拿起掃帚。
The other day a fond fashionable mother in Michigan asked a young man whether he had even seen a young lady sweep in a room so grandly as her Priscilla.
有一天,一位溺愛(ài)孩子的、時(shí)髦的密歇根母親問(wèn)一位男青年,是否見(jiàn)過(guò)像她的女兒普里茜拉那樣的年輕女子如此瀟灑地在房間里進(jìn)行打掃。
He said so, he never had, and the mother was gratified beyond measure, but then said he, after a pause, "What I should like to see her do is sweep out a room." It does not hurt the newest comer to sweep out the office if necessary. I was one of those sweepers myself.
男青年說(shuō)從未見(jiàn)過(guò);那位母親高興得樂(lè)不可支。但男青年頓了頓又說(shuō):“我想看到的是她能在室外進(jìn)行打掃。”如果有必要,新來(lái)者在室外進(jìn)行打掃并沒(méi)有什么損失。
Assuming that you have all obtained employment and are fairly started, my advice to you is "aim high".
我本人就曾經(jīng)是打掃人之一。我對(duì)你們的忠告是“要胸懷大志”。
I would not give a fig for the young man who has not already seen hilf the partner or the head of an important firm. Do not rest content for a moment in your thoughts as head clerk, or foreman, or general manager in any concern, no matter how extensive. Say to yourself, "My place is at the top." Be king in your dreams.
對(duì)那些尚未把自己看成是某重要公司的合伙人或領(lǐng)導(dǎo)人的年輕人,我會(huì)不屑一顧。你們?cè)谒枷肷弦豢桃膊灰獫M足于充當(dāng)任何企業(yè)的首席職員、領(lǐng)班或總經(jīng)理,不管這家企業(yè)的規(guī)模有多大。你們要對(duì)自己說(shuō);“我的位置在最高處。”
And here is the prime condition of success, the at secret: concentrate your energy, thought, and capital exclusively upon the business in which your are engaged. Having begun in one line, resolve to fight it out on that line, to lead in it, adopt every improvement, have the best machinery, and know the most about it.
你們要夢(mèng)寐以求登峰造極。獲得成功的首要條件和最大秘訣是:把精力和財(cái)力完全集中于所干的事業(yè)上。一旦開(kāi)始干那一行,就要決心干出個(gè)名堂,要出類拔萃,要點(diǎn)點(diǎn)滴滴地改進(jìn),要采用最好的機(jī)器,要盡力通曉這一行。
The concerns which fail are those which have scattered their capital, which means that they have scattered their brains also. They have investments in this, or that, or the other, here, there, and everywhere. "Don't put all your eggs in one basket" is all wrong.
失敗的企業(yè)是那些分散了資力,因而意味著分散了精力的企業(yè)。他們向這件事投資,方方面面都有投資。“別把所有的雞蛋放進(jìn)一只籃子”之說(shuō)大錯(cuò)特錯(cuò)。
I tell you "put all your eggs in one basket, and then watch that basket". Look round you and take notice; men who do that do not often fail. It is easy to watch and carry the one basket. It is trying to carry too many baskets, that breaks most eggs in this country.
我告訴你們,“要把所有的雞蛋放進(jìn)一只籃子,然后照管好那只籃子。”注視周圍并留點(diǎn)神,能這樣做的人往往不會(huì)失敗。管好并提好那只籃子很容易。再我們這個(gè)國(guó)家,想多提籃子的人打碎的雞蛋也多。
He who carries three baskets must put one on his head, which is apt to tumble and trip him up. One fault of the American businessman is lack of concentration.
有三只籃子的人就得把一只籃子頂在頭上,這樣很容易摔倒。美國(guó)企業(yè)家的一個(gè)錯(cuò)誤就是缺少集中。
To summarize what I have said: Aim for the highest, never enter a bar room; do not touch liquor, or if at all only at meals; never speculate; never indorse beyond your surplus cash fund; make the firm's interest yours; break orders always to save owners; concentrate; put all your eggs in one basket, and watch that basket; expenditure always within revenue; lastly be not impatient, for, as Emerson says, "no one can cheat you out of ultimate success but yourselves."
我把所說(shuō)的話歸納如下:要志在頂峰;千萬(wàn)不要涉足酒吧,不要沾酒,或者僅在用餐時(shí)喝點(diǎn)酒;千萬(wàn)不要投機(jī);簽署支付的款項(xiàng)時(shí),千萬(wàn)不要超過(guò)盈余的現(xiàn)金儲(chǔ)備;取消訂貨的目的永遠(yuǎn)在于挽救貨主;集中精力,把所有雞蛋放進(jìn)一只籃子并照管好那只籃子;支出永遠(yuǎn)小于收入;最后,不要失去耐心,因?yàn)檎鐞?ài)默生所說(shuō):“除了你自己以外,沒(méi)有人能哄騙你離開(kāi)最后的成功。”
【人物簡(jiǎn)介】
安德魯·卡內(nèi)基(1835年11月25日—1919年8月11日),美國(guó)鋼鐵大王,是時(shí)代的傳奇人物,他實(shí)現(xiàn)了美國(guó)人的夢(mèng)想,成為徒手致富的移民??▋?nèi)基13歲時(shí)離開(kāi)蘇格蘭,全家大小擠在一間小房間里過(guò)活,后來(lái)卡內(nèi)基投入鋼鐵業(yè),引進(jìn)嶄新的商業(yè)手法、嶄新的生產(chǎn)程序,在美國(guó)工業(yè)史上,寫下永難磨滅的一頁(yè),他征服鋼鐵世界,成為美國(guó)最大鋼鐵制造商,衣錦還鄉(xiāng),躍居世界首富。安德魯·卡內(nèi)基名言:“如果把我的廠房設(shè)備、材料全部燒毀,但只要保住我的全班人馬,幾年以后,我仍將是一個(gè)鋼鐵大王。”