In "Strategy and the Fat Smoker," author David H. Maister emphasizes that financial success should not be the primary objective of a business, but rather a natural outcome of effective management and operations. He argues that when companies prioritize profits over the fundamental principles of running a well-organized and ethical firm, they often lose sight of what truly drives growth and sustainability.

Maister highlights the importance of focusing on core values, customer satisfaction, and employee engagement. By doing what is inherently right and obvious in business practices, firms can foster an environment that leads to long-term success and profitability, demonstrating that financial gains are best seen as a result of good business practices rather than the main goal.