Focus on cost improvement makes it possible for us to afford lower prices, which drives growth. Growth spreads fixed costs across more sales, reducing cost per unit, which makes possible more price reductions. Customers like this, and it's good for shareholders. Please expect us to repeat this loop.

Real estate is the key cost of physical retailers. That's why there's the old saw: location, location, location.

The balance of power is shifting toward consumers and away from companies. The right way to respond to this if you are a company is toput the vast majority of your energy, attention and dollars into building a great product or service and put a smaller amount into shoutingabout it, marketing it.

Startups are the engines of exponential growth, manifesting the power of innovation. Several big companies today are startups of yesterday. They were born with a spirit of enterprise and adventure kept alive due to hardwork and perseverance and today have become shining beacons of innovation.

What's good for customers is good for shareholders.

My own view is that every company requires a long-term view.