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Sayings-both the well worn and the newly created-are a way of life for Ray Zinn, who shares them freely, and often, with Micrel Semiconductor Inc.'s employees.
His aphorisms run the gamut from tongue-and-cheek expressions to fundamental business concepts.
Underscoring his professional philosophy, for example, is: "How do youspell success? W-O-R-K."
And then there's his made-up ancient Chinese proverb, "He who repeats the past fails in the future."
The sayings have even become marketing campaigns for Micrel. For 1999, the logo will be: "Fast is not fast enough."
Though it takes much more than grandfatherly sayings to make a mark in the aggressive semiconductor industry, the principles behind the adages are what Zinn holds dear-and what has propelled Micrel's growth as a supplier of high-performance analog and power-management ICs.
Micrel's chief tries to convey a positive work ethic and a strong management style to his employees, according to his colleagues.
"When he hits the door, he starts working; he's a very goal- oriented individual," said chief financial officer Robert J. Barker. "And...