B. C. Forbes
Biography of B. C. Forbes
Full Name and Common Aliases
Full Name: Bertie Charles Forbes
Common Aliases: B. C. Forbes
Birth and Death Dates
Birth Date: May 14, 1880
Death Date: May 6, 1954
Nationality and Profession(s)
Nationality: Scottish-American
Profession(s): Journalist, Author, Founder of Forbes Magazine
Early Life and Background
Bertie Charles Forbes was born on May 14, 1880, in New Deer, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. He was the sixth of ten children in a family that valued education and hard work. His father, a storekeeper, instilled in him the importance of diligence and perseverance. Forbes attended the University of Dundee, where he honed his skills in writing and developed a keen interest in journalism. His early years in Scotland were marked by a deep appreciation for literature and a burgeoning curiosity about the world of business and finance.
In 1901, Forbes emigrated to South Africa, where he began his journalism career at the Rand Daily Mail. His time in South Africa was formative, providing him with valuable experience and exposure to the complexities of the business world. In 1904, he moved to New York City, a decision that would set the stage for his future success.
Major Accomplishments
B. C. Forbes is best known for founding Forbes Magazine in 1917, a publication that would become one of the most influential business magazines in the world. His vision was to create a magazine that provided insightful analysis and commentary on the business world, focusing on the people behind the companies. Under his leadership, Forbes Magazine became a trusted source of information for business professionals and investors.
Forbes was also a prolific writer, contributing columns to various newspapers and magazines. His writing was characterized by a clear, engaging style that made complex financial topics accessible to a broad audience. He was known for his ability to distill intricate business concepts into understandable narratives, a skill that endeared him to readers and solidified his reputation as a leading business journalist.
Notable Works or Actions
In addition to founding Forbes Magazine, B. C. Forbes authored several books that explored themes of success, leadership, and the human side of business. His notable works include "Men Who Are Making America" and "Keys to Success," both of which offered insights into the lives and philosophies of prominent business leaders. These works reflected his belief that understanding the personal stories of successful individuals could provide valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs and business professionals.
Forbes was also known for his syndicated column, "Forbes: The Businessman's Magazine," which appeared in newspapers across the United States. Through this column, he reached a wide audience, sharing his thoughts on economic trends, business strategies, and the qualities that define successful leaders.
Impact and Legacy
B. C. Forbes left an indelible mark on the world of business journalism. His commitment to providing insightful, well-researched content helped elevate the standards of financial reporting. Forbes Magazine, under his guidance, became a platform for thought leadership, influencing generations of business leaders and entrepreneurs.
His legacy extends beyond the magazine he founded. Forbes was a pioneer in recognizing the importance of storytelling in business journalism. He understood that behind every successful company was a story worth telling, and he dedicated his career to uncovering and sharing those stories. This approach not only informed and educated his readers but also inspired them to pursue their own paths to success.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
B. C. Forbes is widely quoted and remembered for his insightful observations on business and life. His quotes often reflect timeless wisdom, emphasizing the importance of integrity, perseverance, and vision. Forbes had a unique ability to capture the essence of complex ideas in succinct, memorable phrases, making his words resonate with audiences long after they were written.
His quotes continue to inspire and motivate individuals across various fields, serving as guiding principles for those seeking success and fulfillment. Forbes's emphasis on the human element of business, his belief in the power of storytelling, and his commitment to excellence have ensured that his legacy endures, making him a revered figure in the world of business journalism.
In summary, B. C. Forbes's contributions to journalism and his insightful commentary on business have left a lasting impact, making him a figure whose words continue to inspire and guide future generations.
Quotes by B. C. Forbes
B. C. Forbes's insights on:
The person who renders loyal service in a humble capacity will be chosen for higher responsibilities, just as the biblical servant who multiplied the one pound given him by his master was made ruler over ten cities.
There is more credit and satisfaction in being a first rate truck driver than a tenth rate executive.
Henry Ward Beecher, so the story goes, was once asked by a young preacher how he could keep his congregation wide awake and attentive during his sermons. Beecher replied that he always had a man watch for sleepers, with instructions, as soon as he saw anyone start nodding or dozing, to hasten to the pulpit and wake up the preacher. Aren't you and I usually less sensible? Would we not be inclined to have the watcher wake up not ourselves but the fellows caught sleeping? In other words, aren't we disposed always to blame others?
A magazine editor recently asked me to sit down on my 40th birthday and write an article on the most important things I had learned in my first 40 years. I told him that the chief thing I had learned was that the copybook maxims are true, but that too many people forget this once they go out into the heat and hustle and bustle of the battle of life and only realize their truth once one foot is beginning to slip into the grave. The man who has won millions at the cost of his conscience is a failure.
Talking things over has its place in an organization [but] so-called conferences are being grossly overdone. One executive stops at the desk of another to tell him, perhaps, about the wonderful score he made at golf on Saturday afternoon. This chin-chin immediately becomes a conference, and neither the office boy nor the telephone operator must disturb either gentleman. More idle gossip is indulged in at many business conferences these days than an old wives' sewing circle would be guilty of.
After visiting several of America's most fashionable playgrounds, I have reached the conclusion that men who work hard enjoy life most. The men at such places can be divided into two classes, first, busy men of affairs ... and, second, rich loafers. I was impressed by the obvious enjoyment corporation heads and other important executives were deriving from their vacation activities.... The idle rich fellows, on the other hand, although indulging in exactly the same activities, palpably were bored.
Do too many executives still indulge in the short-sighted habit of issuing orders without taking the slightest pains to explain to those responsible for carrying them out the whyfor and wherefor of the orders? Where employees come in daily and hourly contact with the public, surely it is important that care be taken to fit them to reply intelligently to courteous questions. ""Because them are orders"" isn't a satisfying reply-even less satisfactory to the management than to the public.
Whenever possible, I like to have the supreme head of a company show me over the works. It is extremely illuminating to note the attitude of workers towards their boss, and equally interesting to note the attitude towards the workers. It is tragic to notice how many chief executives of large concerns are absolutely unknown, even by sight, to the rank and file of their workers.
The majority of America's colossal fortunes have been made by entering industries in their early stages and developing leadership in them.... Think of what opportunities the present and the future contain in such fields as ship-building and ship-owning, aircraft, electrical development, the oil industry, different branches of the automotive industry, foreign trade, international banking, invention, the chemical industry, moving pictures, color photography, and, one night add, labor leadership.
An idea, like a machine, must have power applied to it before it can accomplish anything.