Quotes about Shareholders

Your employees come first. And if you treat your employees right, guess what? Your customers come back, and that makes your shareholders happy. Start with employees and the rest follows from that. Votes: 6

Companies that grow for the sake of growth or that expand into areas outside their core business strategy often stumble. On the other hand, companies that build scale for the benefit of their customers and shareholders more often succeed over time. Votes: 6

I basically believe the medical insurance industry should be nonprofit, not profit-making. There is no way a health reform plan will work when it is implemented by an industry that seeks to return money to shareholders instead of using that money to provide health care. Votes: 6

Today we have a health insurance industry where the first and foremost goal is to maximize profits for shareholders and CEOs, not to cover patients who have fallen ill or to compensate doctors and hospitals for their services. It is an industry that is increasingly concentrated and where Americans are paying more to receive less. Votes: 6

Charities must treat donors as if they were shareholders. Votes: 4

A lost job can put a smile on any shareholder's face. Votes: 4

If you run a business, put on top your employees, then your consumers, and then your shareholders. Votes: 4

Government is the people's business and every man, woman and child becomes a shareholder with the first penny of tax paid. Votes: 4

In our industry today only a strong company with a global reach can ensure long-term employment and provide acceptable returns for shareholders. Votes: 4

A corporation's responsibility is to the shareholders, not its retirees and employees. Companies are doing everything they can to get rid of pension plans and they will succeed. Votes: 4

Ultimately, each transnational firm strives for its own advantage, and is supported in that effort by the state power wherein it resides, or at least where its main shareholders are domiciled. Votes: 4

If you look at academic studies, you can see that stock prices are most closely correlated with cash flow. It's such a straightforward number. Cash flow is what will drive shareholder returns. Votes: 4

Our people, our shareholders, me, Bill Gates, we expect to change the world in every way, to succeed wildly at everything we touch, to have the broadest impact of any company in the world. Votes: 4

We intend to conduct our business in a way that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of our customers, business partners, shareholders, and creditors, as well as the communities in which we operate and society at large. Votes: 4

In our search for more, we have blinded ourselves to our personal responsibility for challenging these absurdities. A resource-based society considers us all equal shareholders of Earth. We are responsible both for the planet and for our relationship with each other. Votes: 4

If the government wants to do social policy, it should not be done in a quasi-public company. If you have a mortgage guarantee company which is done by the U.S. government, it should be guaranteed by the originators, i.e., the shareholder. Votes: 4

He or she must be successful in economic terms, but always within an ethical framework. Whether his or her constituency is a corporation and its shareholders or the customers in a small and privately held business, his or her first responsibility is to serve that constituency. Votes: 4

The worst example of rural poverty is that of migrant farm workers. They have no permanent jobs, so they have no equity in the places where they work. They're not shareholders, let alone entrepreneurs. They're not small farmers, they're not market gardeners, they're just temporary - uprooted, isolated, easily exploitable people. Votes: 4

All this plan does is make everybody a capitalist. I know that the New York Stock Exchange says there are 25 million shareholders in the United States, but let me tell you something: about 15 million of those people could save their dividends for 10 years and maybe buy a new suit. That's not what I call capitalism. Votes: 4

I'm a spreadsheet guy. But you get to that moment of truth, and it has nothing to do with a spreadsheet. You've got to factor in what your competitors are doing, what the technology is doing, what your shareholders want, what your employees want, what your customers want, and you've got to make it happen sometimes. Votes: 4

I don't think our fiduciary duty is to put shareholders first. I say the opposite. What we firmly believe is that if we focus our company on improving the lives of the world's citizens and come up with genuine sustainable solutions, we are more in synch with consumers and society and ultimately this will result in good shareholder returns. Votes: 4

On the face of it, shareholder value is the dumbest idea in the world, Votes: 3

Customers should be number 1, Employees number 2, and then only your Shareholders come at number 3. Votes: 3

Shareholders share in the downside and not necessarily in the upside; that's the whole story. Votes: 3

Shareholders have the right and obligation to set the parameters of corporate behavior within which management pursues profit. Votes: 3

What if lawmakers never spoke to their constituents? Oddly enough, that's exactly how corporate America operates. Shareholders vote for directors, but the directors rarely, if ever, communicate with them. Votes: 3

Who are businesses really responsible to? Their customers? Shareholders? Employees? We would argue that it's none of the above. Fundamentally, businesses are responsible to their resource base. Without a healthy environment there are no shareholders, no employees, no customers and no business. Votes: 3

Large companies cannot finance political parties as their shareholders and employees have different political views. Votes: 2

I wear two hats. The one is business and increasing my shareholders' value; the other is social responsibility. Votes: 2

Whenever you look at any potential merger or acquisition, you look at the potential to create value for your shareholders. Votes: 2

Some companies use off-balance-sheet partnerships to raise money or to buy assets without ever telling their shareholders in their financial statements. Votes: 2

Most shareholders have little if any control over the companies in which they own stock, even if they own a million shares. Votes: 2

Big banks have long had private equity divisions that put up capital for deals too complex or risky for individual shareholders to finance. Votes: 2

Large corporations, of course, are blinded by greed. The laws under which they operate require it - their shareholders would revolt at anything less. Votes: 2

It's hard to tell which assets will be toxic. The best way to ensure that only shareholders and banks feel it is have adequate capital. Votes: 2

Our goal is to make General Motors the most valuable automotive company. Clearly, that is having sustainable profitability and driving great returns for our shareholders. Votes: 2

I try to make myself happy, no, because I know that if I'm not happy, my colleagues are not happy and my shareholders are not happy and my customers are not happy. Votes: 2

Scale can create value for shareholders; for consumers, who are beneficiaries of better products, delivered more quickly and at less cost; for the businesses that are our customers; and for the economy as a whole. Votes: 2

In terms of companies, they must stand for something bigger. They must be dedicated to something larger than financial results. I reject the Milton Friedman belief that a company's sole responsibility is to the shareholders. Votes: 2

No doubt, corporate CEOs who lie to their shareholders and politicians who lie to their public know and believe intellectually that lying is immoral. Why then do they lie? They lie to others because they first lie to themselves. Votes: 2

I've heard people say South Africans are arrogant, that they act no differently from their colonial masters. That needs to change. It's in your business interest as an entrepreneur to form meaningful partnerships. That's how you do well for your shareholders. Votes: 2

If CEO compensation was performance-driven, which I believe it was in IBM's case, nobody would ever argue. If the shareholders didn't make billions and billions of dollars, I wouldn't make millions of dollars. My salary was the same for 10 years. It was all performance-based. Votes: 2

Back in the 1970s, Kodak tried to give $25m to a black civil rights organisation in Rochester, New York. The company's shareholders rose up in arms: making this politically charged offering wasn't the reason they had entrusted Kodak with their money. The donation was withdrawn. Votes: 2

When someone takes their existing business and tries to transform it into something else - they fail. In technology that is often the case. Look at Kodak: it was the dominant imaging company in the world. They did fabulously during the great depression, but then wiped out the shareholders because of technological change. Votes: 2

I hope people understand that when you tax corporations that the concrete and the steel and the plastic don't pay. People pay. And so when you tax corporations, either the employees are going to pay or the shareholders are going to pay or the customers are going to pay. And so corporations are people. Votes: 2

Shareholder activism is not a privilege - it is a right and a responsibility. When we invest in a company, we own part of that company and we are partly responsible for how that company progresses. If we believe there is something going wrong with the company, then we, as shareholders, must become active and vocal. Votes: 2

When you're C.E.O., you have to have two conditions: first, shareholders need to trust you and want you to head your company. The second is that you need to feel the motivation to do the job. So, as long as both are reunited, you continue to do the job. And today, they are reunited. Votes: 2

If the big banks expect to buy influence when they give money to favored think tanks, then the public has a right to know. If the big banks don't expect to buy influence and are merely making charitable contributions, then their shareholders have a right to know. Either way, there's no excuse for keeping these payments secret. Votes: 2

In an age where everything and everyone is linked through networks of glass and air, no one - no business, organization, government agency, country - is an island. We need to do right by all our stakeholders, and that's how you create value for shareholders. And one thing is for sure - no organization can succeed in a world that is failing. Votes: 2

Is management candid with the shareholders? Votes: 0

Customers first, employees second, and shareholders third, Votes: 0

I have a responsibility to banks, to shareholders. Votes: 0

I think shareholders are the great evil of this modern world. Votes: 0

All I'm trying to do is manage money and take care of my shareholders. Votes: 0

Loyal employees in any company create loyal customers, who in turn create happy shareholders. Votes: 0

Happy employees ensure happy customers. And happy customers ensure happy shareholders—in that order. Votes: 0

Great fit and synergism for both companies and excellent outcome for employees, customers and shareholders. Votes: 0

The extravagance of any corporate office is directly proportional to management's reluctance to reward the shareholders. Votes: 0

Companies that build scale for the benefit of their customers and shareholders more often succeed over time. Votes: 0

The typical American corporation is a shareholders' republic the same way that China is a peoples' republic. Votes: 0

Banks need to have large shareholders on the board that have a direct interest in their performance. Votes: 0

I'd be resentful if shareholders who don't know the business tried to tell me what to do. Votes: 0

We're all shareholders. These guys below me, they see the CEO taking it easy, it's their money. Votes: 0

I really believe that all CEO pay should be voted on by shareholders ahead of time. Mine was. Votes: 0

A lot of people love Oreos. So their manufacturer is making money. That means more dividends for shareholders. Votes: 0

I often say that shareholders should feel very responsible for how responsive corporations are to the public trust. Votes: 0

I often say that shareholders should feel very responsible for how responsive corporations are to the public trust. Votes: 0

I'm the C.E.O., nominated by the shareholders. If they're not happy, I have to take the consequences. Votes: 0

Multi-billion-dollar multinational corporations view the exploitation of the world's sick and dying as a sacred duty to their shareholders. Votes: 0

No one person controls Microsoft. The board and the shareholders decide whether they want to have me as CEO. Votes: 0

CEOs should be measured by the value they create into the community, the shareholders and the members of the company. Votes: 0

Companies prefer to put money in the pockets of shareholders or to hoard cash rather than to raise wages or invest. Votes: 0

If you can't use dividends, it's not a bad thing to give it back to your shareholders. They'll use it somewhere else. Votes: 0

Regarding our links with the Russian government, Severstal is a private company with no government participation. We are answerable to our shareholders. Votes: 0

I am always asking myself how I can improve the lives of my customers, my colleagues, my shareholders, my family and my friends. Votes: 0

Does making money excite me? No, but I have to make money for my shareholders. What excites me is achievement, doing something difficult. Votes: 0

For many of our shareholders, our stock is all they own, and we're acutely aware of that. Our culture [of conservatism] runs pretty deep. Votes: 0

Experts said public companies worry about the loss of customer confidence and the legal liability to shareholders or security vendors when they report flaws. Votes: 0

I am convinced that companies should put staff first, customers second and shareholders third - ultimately that's in the best interest of customers and shareholders. Votes: 0

Far too many executives have become more concerned with the four P's -- pay, perks, power and prestige -- rather than making profits for shareholders. Votes: 0

Far too many executives have become more concerned with the 'four P's' - pay, perks, power and prestige - rather than making profits for shareholders. Votes: 0

Real teams are much more likely to flourish if leaders aim their sights on performance results that balance the needs of customers, employees, and shareholders. Votes: 0

I don't feel I'm at liberty to speak about the actions of any one CEO. That's not fair; given CEOs have duties to their shareholders. Votes: 0

A strong player, which has the sufficient critical mass, can withhold pressure better and create a more stable environment that benefits shareholders as well as employees. Votes: 0

With less competition to fear, companies are emboldened to raise their mark-ups and profits. That lifts share prices and thus the wealth of already wealthy shareholders. Votes: 0

When management owns stock, then rewarding the shareholders becomes a first priority, whereas when management simply collects a paycheck, then increasing salaries becomes a first priority. Votes: 0

Dhirubhai will go one day. But Reliance's employees and shareholders will keep it afloat. Reliance is now a concept in which the Ambanis have become irrelevant. Votes: 0

In the 1980s, corporate raiders began mounting unfriendly takeovers of companies that could deliver higher returns to their shareholders - if they abandoned their other stakeholders. Votes: 0

A boycott would send a clear message to Yahoo shareholders and other companies which cheerfully sacrifice human rights in return for a cut of the Chinese market. Votes: 0

We believe that a company's obligations extend far beyond its bottom line and its shareholders - to a wider constituency that includes employees, customers, suppliers, and the community. Votes: 0

We can collaborate with a Netscape employee or partner who's halfway around the world. We can distribute information and software to customers and shareholders, and get their feedback. Votes: 0

Large organizations don't worship shareholders or customers, they worship the past. If it were otherwise, it wouldn't take a crisis to set a company on a new path. Votes: 0

We can collaborate with a Netscape employee or partner who's halfway around the world. We can distribute information and software to customers and shareholders, and get their feedback. Votes: 0

Business exists to supply goods and services to customers and economic surplus to society, rather than to supply jobs to workers and managers or even dividends to shareholders. Votes: 0

I am very confident that we will be able to convince all the stakeholders - the shareholders, the governments and the employees, that this is in their best interests. Votes: 0

We have new rules that give shareholders the ability to vote on executive compensation. We have new rules for asset-backed securities. We have new rules around credit rating agencies. Votes: 0

We do not view the company itself as the ultimate owner of our business assets but instead view the company as a conduit through which our shareholders own assets. Votes: 0

My job is to listen to ideas, maybe cook up a few of my own, and make decisions based on what's good for the shareholders and for the company. Votes: 0

There is strong mentoring of women in the academy. Corporations appear more willing to resist affirmative action to advance women, and boards and shareholders are more tolerant of this approach. Votes: 0

There is strong mentoring of women in the academy. Corporations appear more willing to resist affirmative action to advance women, and boards and shareholders are more tolerant of this approach. Votes: 0

The customer is number one, the employee is number two and the shareholder is number three. If the customer is happy, the business is happy, and the shareholders are happy. Votes: 0

I try to make myself happy ... because I know that if I'm not happy, my colleagues are not happy, and my shareholders are not happy, and my customers are not happy. Votes: 0

What the American people don't understand is how Merrill Lynch or AIG or Lehman Brothers can reward people, and the entity fails. Not only do the shareholders lose, but the entities lose. Votes: 0

I sometimes wonder how some people can live with themselves in some of the big companies today. So many far-reaching decisions are based on how they will affect the next shareholders' meeting. Votes: 0

Our laws demand that a corporation have a fiduciary responsibility with shareholders to maximize profits. They are legally required to make as much money as possible, any way possible within 'the law.' Votes: 0

It can be argued that the U.S. brokerage and investment banking industry has transformed the modern American stock market into nothing more than a mechanism for transferring wealth from shareholders to management. Votes: 0

I made a mistake in presuming that the self-interests of organisations, specifically banks and others, were such that they were best capable of protecting their own shareholders and their equity in the firms, Votes: 0

For decades, activist shareholders were an entertaining, but largely ignored, Wall Street sideshow. Disgruntled investors would attend annual meetings to harangue executives, criticize strategies - and protest that their complaints were being ignored. Votes: 0

Companies are returning a lot of money to shareholders through dividends and buybacks. And a lot of people say that's not a good use of capital. I think that's normal reallocation of capital. Votes: 0

Companies, to date, have often used the excuse that they are only beholden to their shareholders, but we need shareholders to think of themselves as stakeholders in the well being of society as well. Votes: 0

The board is currently undertaking what could be its most important task, ... We are confident that we're going to make a choice that is in the best interest of the company, shareholders and others. Votes: 0

Money managers have to account for their actions to their shareholders, which means they have an undue fear of underperformance. We invest only our own money. Our investments are driven by optimism, not fear. Votes: 0

What we're trying to do is determine if our shareholders and customers have been misled. We can't think of a single shareholder who would believe that the PSC order isn't in their best interest. Votes: 0

With the acquisition of 50% of Todito, TV Azteca is getting on a very fast train. Todito will allow TV Azteca to create value for its shareholders and promote its television content on the Internet. Votes: 0

Legacy doesn't mean a lot because once you have left, even if you are one of the biggest individual shareholders it only means [a small amount of influence]. But it's something I'm very pleased about. Votes: 0

Nationalization would likely mean wiping out the big banks' managements and shareholders. It's because that reckoning has mostly been avoided so far that those bankers may be the Americans in the greatest denial of all. Votes: 0

The evidence seems clear that those business which actively serve their many constitutencies in creative, morally thoughtful ways also, over the long run, serve their shareholders best. Companies do, infact, do well by doing good. Votes: 0