David Ogilvy’s Best Business Advice

Derrick DayeNovember 26, 20101 min

When Patricia Sellers, a reporter for Fortune Magazine, asked David Oglivy for advice on building and running a business, the 80 year old advertising legend gave her this timeless advice…

1. Remember that Abraham Lincoln spoke of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. He left out the pursuit of profit.

2. Remember the old Scottish motto: “Be happy while you’re living, for you are a long time dead.”

3. If you have to reduce your company’s payroll, don’t fire your people until you have cut your compensation and the compensation of your big-shots.

4. Define your corporate culture and your principles of management in writing. Don’t delegate this to a committee. Search all the parks in all your cities. You’ll find no statues of committees.

5. Stop cutting the quality of your products in search of bigger margins. The consumer always notices — and punishes you.

6. Never spend money on advertising which does not sell.

7. Bear in mind that the consumer is not a moron. She is your wife. Do not insult her intelligence.

~David Ogilvy

Charleston

November 15, 1991

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