"It's not enough to work hard, you have to work effective". 1988, Prof. John Cooper at Birmingham University.

"Whatever you decide to do, be creative about it". 1972, My Dad.

"Great, the chip works. Now all we need to worry about is the software". 1996, Bryan Martin

"Never try to out-drink a customer - let him win". 1994, Paul Chu

"The reason I'm here is that I've already been f**ked every way that there is to be f**ked in business and I'm telling you that this won't work" 1998, Joe Parkinson re. the use of letters of credit as payment for IP.

"He bites because he's scared. You can't teach him to like people if you yell at him when he growls". 2001, Lisa Martin about my dog. Works with people too.

"I think maybe a c-section would have been more comfortable". 2004, my wife after the birth of our son.

"And Bailey wins a Z80 instruction set manual, whatever that is". 1982, Principle Arthur Behenna at prize giving on the last day of high school.

"We took a more detailed look at the R&D schedule. The deadline for delivery next month is not achievable and we think that sometime in April next year is likely. It's Marketing's fault...." 2002, R&D manager explaining that the product would slip 9 months.

"Where's your f**king check?". 1997, Joe Parkinson to non-paying customer.