Successories vs. Despair

Some companies start small and grow very large selling a product which people buy, but they're not sure why.  For example, the company Successories was created because the founders thought that "the right quotation, at the right moment, could help bring one's goals into perspective. "  Many companies have adopted this philosophy and have embraced Successories and their product line.  Indeed, there are many excellent quotations that do provide a lot of insight into the human psyche:

• Attitude. "Attitude is a little thing that makes a BIG difference."
• Change  "If you're not riding the wave of change...you'll find yourself beneath it."
• Customer Service "The sea of change can pull customers in many directions. It is our responsibility to light the way and take care of them...before the competition does."
• Leadership  “The leader who shares experience ensures a bright future and leaves a legacy of success.”
• Teamwork  "It is a fact that in the right formation, the lifting power of many wings can achieve twice the distance of any bird flying alone."

Some people don't like Successories as they feel that they are trite and pandering to those looking for a quick solution to a difficult problem.  Despair was created with that in mind.  Their slogans are similar, but usually with a twist and are actually called Demotivators by the company:

• Adversity. "That which does not kill me, postpones the inevitable."
• Meetings  "None of us is as dumb as all of us. "
• Pressure  "It can turn a lump of coal into a flawless diamond, or an average person into a perfect basketcase."
• Quality.  "The race for quality has no finish line- so technically, it's more like a death march. "
• Tradition. "Just because you've always done it that way doesn't mean it's not incredibly stupid." 

Each, actually, has their place in an organization.  The Successories are there to help you think about focusing on the bigger picture and are generally viewed by upper management as being "appropriate" for the office.  Demotivators usually bring a smile to someone's face as they bring back memories of things that went wrong.  You try to live one set of sayings, yet you usually experience the other set.