--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Time is a big enemy. Companies have a…" description: "\"Time is a big enemy. Companies have a tendency to drift and to do what was successful yesterday. CEOs need to set a high goal, enforce a time-based out..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/michael-j-silverstein-13159_bigs_time-is-a-big-enemy-companies-have-a-ten_1916485.jpg" --- # Time is a big enemy. Companies have a tendency to drift… ![“Time is a big enemy. Companies have a tendency to drift and to do what was successful yesterday. CEOs need to set a high goal, enforce a time-based output scheme and stay connected all the way down in their organization. They have to do this sincerely every day, everywhere.” quote by Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/michael-j-silverstein-13159_bigs_time-is-a-big-enemy-companies-have-a-ten_1916485.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/michael-j-silverstein-13159_bigs_time-is-a-big-enemy-companies-have-a-ten_1916485.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d5d/michael-j-silverstein-13159_bigs_time-is-a-big-enemy-companies-have-a-ten_1916485.jpg) > “Time is a big enemy. Companies have a tendency to drift and to do what was successful yesterday. CEOs need to set a high goal, enforce a time-based output scheme and stay connected all the way down in their organization. They have to do this sincerely every day, everywhere.” [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Leaders must define ambitious targets, impose deadlines, and stay actively engaged throughout the organization to avoid complacency. **In simple terms:** Set bold goals, enforce timelines, stay connected. Key Takeaway Implement clear objectives and regular check‑ins. Themes leadership strategy execution Mood determined urgent Type motivational strategic When to use this quote - product development - marketing campaigns - team meetings - performance reviews Key Concepts goal setting time management organizational alignment Questions to Reflect On - How can leaders maintain momentum without over‑pressuring staff? - What metrics best track progress toward high goals? A Different Perspective May lead to burnout if not balanced with realistic pacing. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bigs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) [Ceo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceo/) [Ceos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceos/) [Ceos Need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ceos-need-1522686/) [Companies Tendency](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companies-tendency-2140158/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Connected](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/connected/) [Enemy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enemy/) [Enforce Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enforce-time-2917138/) [Every day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/every-day/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [High goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-goals/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Organization](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/organization/) [Output](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/output/) [Schemes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/schemes/) [Sincerely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sincerely/) [Successful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/successful/) [Tendencies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tendencies/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Yesterday](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yesterday/) [Yesterday Ceos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/yesterday-ceos-2917137/) ## Related quotes > [CEOs need to say, 'We're going to make sure this is a great environment for all types of people.' I was a beneficiary of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-wojcicki/ceos-need-to-say-we-re-going-to-make-sure-this-is-a-great-environment/) [Susan Wojcicki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-wojcicki/) > [CEOs need to produce continuous growth in sales and profits. Yet they must also invest in sustainability and social responsibility, which then leave them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-kotler/ceos-need-to-produce-continuous-growth-in-sales-and-profits-yet-they/) [Philip Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-kotler/) > [The most effective CEOs have a primary source for tracking their markets. They meet with their teams frequently enough to keep innovation flowing, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/the-most-effective-ceos-have-a-primary-source-for-tracking-their/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [In the larger companies, you have this tendency to get top-down direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/in-the-larger-companies-you-have-this-tendency-to-get-top-down/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“To make good decisions, CEOs need the courage to seek out disagreement. Alfred Sloan, the longtime CEO and chairman of General Motors, once interrupted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-heath/to-make-good-decisions-ceos-need-the-courage-to-seek-out-disagreement/) [Chip Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-heath/) > [I like to take CEOs into consumers' homes to see the "real world." CEOs have privileged lives with big incomes, lots of help, access…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/i-like-to-take-ceos-into-consumers-homes-to-see-the-real-world-ceos/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Given six months to live and being the fighter that I am, I set high goals for myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-white/given-six-months-to-live-and-being-the-fighter-that-i-am-i-set-high/) [Ryan White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-white/) > [“To set high goals, to have almost unattainable aspirations, to imbue people with the belief that they can be achieved—these are as important as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-brooks/to-set-high-goals-to-have-almost-unattainable-aspirations-to-imbue/) [John Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-brooks/) > [In the West, the art of rock climbing is growing because it has to do with less risk, good muscles. But the people seeking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reinhold-messner/in-the-west-the-art-of-rock-climbing-is-growing-because-it-has-to-do/) [Reinhold Messner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reinhold-messner/) > [A Positive Mental Attitude is the right mental attitude. What is the right mental attitude? It is most often comprised of the "plus" characteristics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/a-positive-mental-attitude-is-the-right-mental-attitude-what-is-the/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Carrying out the thing, getting it to the point when one might say: There, now it is good - that point is hard to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arne-jacobsen/carrying-out-the-thing-getting-it-to-the-point-when-one-might-say/) [Arne Jacobsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arne-jacobsen/) > [As I said this year, I didn't try to put any pressure on me by setting high goals or anything, I just want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniela-hantuchova/as-i-said-this-year-i-didn-t-try-to-put-any-pressure-on-me-by-setting/) [Daniela Hantuchova](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniela-hantuchova/) > [You must accept that you might fail; then, if you do your best and still don't win, at least you can be satisfied that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalynn-carter/you-must-accept-that-you-might-fail-then-if-you-do-your-best-and/) [Rosalynn Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosalynn-carter/) > [That's a very high goal to have, study eight hours a day to be a concert pianist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nina-simone/that-s-a-very-high-goal-to-have-study-eight-hours-a-day-to-be-a/) [Nina Simone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nina-simone/) > [Set goals - high goals for you and your organization. When your organization has a goal to shoot for, you create teamwork, people working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bear-bryant/set-goals-high-goals-for-you-and-your-organization-when-your/) [Bear Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bear-bryant/) ## More by Michael J. Silverstein > [Always welcome your customer's scorn. This rule says read the complaint letters. Categorize them. Decide how you are going to wipe them out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/always-welcome-your-customer-s-scorn-this-rule-says-read-the/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Get out of the office. Roam the frontline. Be observant. Hold your people accountable for creating the new narrative, a new story, in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/get-out-of-the-office-roam-the-frontline-be-observant-hold-your/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [The most effective CEOs have a primary source for tracking their markets. They meet with their teams frequently enough to keep innovation flowing, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/the-most-effective-ceos-have-a-primary-source-for-tracking-their/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Take an expansive view of the consumers needs and expand beyond your current boundaries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/take-an-expansive-view-of-the-consumers-needs-and-expand-beyond-your/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [The starting point is to create a qualitative understanding of market drivers. You need to get into the head of the consumer and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/the-starting-point-is-to-create-a-qualitative-understanding-of-market/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Our most exciting discoveries come from studying anomalies. The once-in-1000 occurrence is worth getting detail on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/our-most-exciting-discoveries-come-from-studying-anomalies-the-once/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Better ramp up your virtual relationships. Companies think omni channel is the correct answer. This is not enough. The information explosion for consumers makes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/better-ramp-up-your-virtual-relationships-companies-think-omni/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [The top 25 at every company really set the tone. Everyone watches them. They need to be present and focused. No slackers at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/the-top-25-at-every-company-really-set-the-tone-everyone-watches-them/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Own one idea. Complete it. Map the current model of purchase and usage. Change how it is done so at least some part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/own-one-idea-complete-it-map-the-current-model-of-purchase-and-usage/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Don't ask your customers what they want. This rule is based on the view that they probably don't know. You have to fully understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/don-t-ask-your-customers-what-they-want-this-rule-is-based-on-the/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [A curious mind armed with skill, experience, knowledge, and patterns can give birth to big brand revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/a-curious-mind-armed-with-skill-experience-knowledge-and-patterns-can/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [You need to have sufficient resources against your priorities. Your eyes have to be open every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/you-need-to-have-sufficient-resources-against-your-priorities-your/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Transform your employees into passionate disciples. Teach. Create apostles. Give people a calling, not a job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/transform-your-employees-into-passionate-disciples-teach-create/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [Consumers cannot think in abstractions. They cannot envision a new concept. They cannot predict their behavior. They can only compare against their current frame…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/consumers-cannot-think-in-abstractions-they-cannot-envision-a-new/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) > [For me, it's often about consumption behavior. I focus my energy on understanding the heavy user. They are "odd" but hold opportunity. I ask:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-j-silverstein/for-me-it-s-often-about-consumption-behavior-i-focus-my-energy-on/) [Michael J. Silverstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) [Explore all 51 Michael J. Silverstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-j-silverstein/) ## More Bigs quotes > [I am certain that children always know more than they are able to tell, and that makes the big difference between them and adults,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacques-lusseyran/i-am-certain-that-children-always-know-more-than-they-are-able-to/) [Jacques Lusseyran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacques-lusseyran/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [I'm a true believer in prayer, a big believer in prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-jackson/i-m-a-true-believer-in-prayer-a-big-believer-in-prayer/) [Janet Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-jackson/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [I'm a big fan of all the Boston guys that are acting - Matt Damon , Ben Affleck, Mark Wahlberg - they made a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-wormald/i-m-a-big-fan-of-all-the-boston-guys-that-are-acting-matt-damon-ben/) [Kenny Wormald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-wormald/) > [The only regret I have in my career, is my managers wanted a big payday, and I wanted four or five more fights before…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerry-cooney/the-only-regret-i-have-in-my-career-is-my-managers-wanted-a-big/) [Gerry Cooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerry-cooney/) > [It goes to show you how we in the press so often miss the big stories that are right under our noses. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/it-goes-to-show-you-how-we-in-the-press-so-often-miss-the-big-stories/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [Okay, so I'll admit I'm curious. Big deal. We both know what that leads to. Dead cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-elizabeth-phillips/okay-so-i-ll-admit-i-m-curious-big-deal-we-both-know-what-that-leads/) [Susan Elizabeth Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-elizabeth-phillips/) > [I don't want this to be a distraction. This has been distracting enough. I'm not going to rehash this going forward. I'm sure other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jayson-werth/i-don-t-want-this-to-be-a-distraction-this-has-been-distracting/) [Jayson Werth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jayson-werth/) > [I didn't get how big it was until I went home, turned on the television and saw it on all the news, and later…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-simon/i-didn-t-get-how-big-it-was-until-i-went-home-turned-on-the/) [Paul Simon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-simon/) > [It’s a small thing to help one animal, but to that one animal it’s a big thing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-baur/it-s-a-small-thing-to-help-one-animal-but-to-that-one-animal-it-s-a/) [Gene Baur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-baur/) > [Since I was a little child, my nose - I think it's too big.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/celine-dion/since-i-was-a-little-child-my-nose-i-think-it-s-too-big/) [Celine Dion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/celine-dion/) > [People forget that there is a big difference between coercion and persuasion. The idea that evangelism is coercive is nonsense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/people-forget-that-there-is-a-big-difference-between-coercion-and/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/) [Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/) > [I got in trouble my whole life for having a big mouth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-tyler/i-got-in-trouble-my-whole-life-for-having-a-big-mouth/) [Steven Tyler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-tyler/) [Browse all 15,539 Bigs quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bigs/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Time is a big enemy. Companies have a tendency to drift and to do what was successful yesterday. 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